Ouzo — Anise-flavored spirit
Greece’s national spirit, ouzo, evokes the sea breeze and convivial taverns of the islands. This clear, liquorice-scented aperitif is as central to Greek mealtime rituals as olive oil and feta. Ouzo’s bright aroma of anise seeds mingled with sweet herbs greets the senses like an island morning. Locals sip it from slim glasses, often by the sea, calling out a…
Freddo Cappuccino — Freddo espresso topped with cold frothed milk
The freddo cappuccino is a playful twist on the freddo espresso that adds a layer of silky, cold-milk foam on top, creating a creamy cap to the chilled coffee below. Like its sibling, the freddo cappuccino is a Greek innovation born of necessity on sweltering days: it offers all the bold flavor of espresso with a milky smoothness that many…
Freddo Espresso — Ice-shaken espresso
A Greek freddo espresso is a simple yet elegant cold coffee beverage made by shaking a double shot of espresso with ice until it froths. The drink is typically sweetened to taste and then served over fresh ice in a tall glass, often with a splash of cold water or a dash of milk. The result is a creamy, chilled…
Hórta Vrastá: Boiled Wild Greens
Hórta (hortá) refers to a variety of leafy greens that grow wild or in home gardens throughout Greece. In spring and early summer, Greeks gather seasonal horta—often dandelion, chicory, chard, spinach, beet greens or the tender shoots of other plants—and lightly cook them. “Vrástá” means boiled, so hórta vrastá is exactly boiled greens: an everyday rural fare that brings the…
Skordaliá: Thick Garlic-Potato Purée
Skordaliá is Greece’s iconic garlic sauce, a thick purée most often made from mashed potatoes and raw garlic bound with olive oil and vinegar. Its punchy flavor comes from garlic at full strength—crushed or minced fine—tempered by the starchy potatoes that give the sauce body. The consistency is velvety yet firm. In some regions, stale bread or soaked breadcrumbs are…
Tirópita: Golden Cheese-Filled Phyllo Triangles
Tirópita (tiropita) is one of Greece’s most beloved snacks, found in every bakery and home kitchen. The name literally means “cheese pie,” and at its heart it is simply a filling of Greek cheeses wrapped in layers of crisp, buttery phyllo pastry. The most common filling combines salty feta cheese with milder ricotta or cream cheese, beaten eggs, and fresh…
Fáva Santorínis: Silky Yellow Split-Pea Purée
Fáva Santorínis is a cherished specialty from the volcanic island of Santorini. Made with a unique local variety of yellow split peas (PDO “Fava Santoríni”), this silky purée embodies centuries of tradition. Archaeological finds in Akrotiri show these peas in pottery from over 3,500 years ago, testifying to a deep-rooted heritage. Even today, farmers sow by hand and sun-dry the…
Kourabiedes — Almond shortbread coated in powdered sugar
Kourabiedes (κουραμπιέδες) are the classic Greek shortbread cookies of the holiday season, dusted heavily in powdered sugar so they resemble little powdered snowballs. These buttery almond cookies are a staple at Christmas but are enjoyed year-round at celebrations such as weddings and baptisms. The name comes from Turkish “kurabiye” for cookie. Traditionally, they are crescent-shaped (said to honor the Turkish…
Melomakarona — Honey-soaked walnut cookies
Melomakarona (μελομακάρονα) are the iconic Greek Christmas cookies that melt in your mouth and glisten with honey. These tender, egg-shaped cookies are traditionally made for the holidays, their name coming from the Greek words for “honey” (meli) and the old funeral bread (makaria) that inspired them. The story goes that the original dough was a simple sacrificial bread soaked in…
Pasteli — Greek Sesame & Honey Bars
Pasteli (παστέλι) is an ancient Greek sweet made from sesame seeds and honey – essentially the world’s original energy bar. Its history stretches back to Homeric times and beyond, when Greeks made a simple confection of toasted sesame seeds bound together with honey. Today it is still a common Greek snack: chewy, nutty sesame bars that are naturally gluten-free and…
