About this experience
In the most 'tasty' spots of Athens, you will learn about the gifts of the gods that have been present in Greek culinary culture for thousands of years. I will tell you about the sacred status of bread and various types of baked goods, intricacies of winemaking and cheese production in different regions. I will teach you to understand olive oil and reveal recipes of homemade seafood dishes.
What to expect
Understanding Greek culture through gastronomic traditions
At the central market or in the old district of Athens with numerous cafes, bars, taverns, good restaurants and authentic places, you will taste different olives, fresh oil, pistachios and delicacies from various regions of Greece. Through the tastes and scents of the Mediterranean, I will help you better understand the Greeks - their special leisurely way of life, ability to enjoy every moment and delight in simple things. An illustration of this will be the phenomenon of 'kafeneio' - places for men's conversations and backgammon games over morning coffee or something stronger. I will talk about the ancient food culture, what Byzantine dignitaries indulged in, and how their cuisine influenced Greek cuisine. As well as what modern Greeks prefer, about home cooking, and traditions of Sunday family dinners.
Bread rules all
As in many cultures, bread is highly respected in Greece and, like in any Orthodox country, it is part of the sacrament of communion. You will learn about 'artoklasia' (blessing of bread), the special attitude towards wheat, wine, and oil from ancient times, and also about the local tradition of 'beginning'. In bakeries, you will explore the wide range of Greek pastries, I will talk about dakos snack and reveal an interesting fact about fanouropita pie. Throughout all this time, you will be surrounded by various aromatic products: bread with sesame and olive oil, rustic bread with various seeds; pies with spinach, apples and cinnamon, feta cheese, leeks, mushrooms, and much more!
Blessed wine and finest cheeses
You will learn about the cult drink - Dionysus' gift, wine-making traditions, grape varieties, and places where the best wines are made. We will also talk about traditional drinks such as ouzo, raki, retsina, and young wine with resin flavor. A logical continuation of the theme will be, of course, cheese. I will tell you about the mountainous regions of Greece and islands where hard graviera cheese is produced from goat and sheep milk; soft anevato and mizithra cheeses, similar to cottage cheese; and, of course, the famous feta cheese, which is a staple on every Greek table.
Oil and seafood
The elixir of life and a gift from Athens’ Athena - olive oil - is one of the secrets of Mediterranean health and longevity. You will hear a lot of interesting facts about the importance of olives in religious rituals, art, and ancient Greek food. I will also teach you to understand the quality of oil and tell you which regions are famous for impeccable production. In addition, there will be a small excursion into the world of seafood - you will discover wonderful recipes and features of homemade dishes from different parts of Greece. And we will also talk about aromatic herbs: oregano, thyme, beloved by Greeks cinnamon, basil, and its role in Orthodox tradition.
Organizational details
All tastings are paid for separately and are not included in the tour price.
