The Greek cuisine is famous throughout the world for its wonderful taste, variety and nutrition, as the
cuisines
of the Mediterranean countries are considered the healthiest of all cuisines. The main components of the
Greek cuisine are olive oil, bread, grains, dairy products, vegetables, legumes ['legjuːm], honey and fish, as
well as meats like goat, lamb [læm], and pork. Many herbs [hɜːb]and spices are used in Greek food, in
moderation so as not to take away from the taste of the vegetables and meats. The most widely used herbs and
spices are oregano, mint, garlic, dill, parsley, bay leaf, basil, thyme, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, nutmeg, and
saffron from Kozani. You will also find a wide variety of wines, due to the massive production of grapes in
Greece.
The traditional day is still de rigueur on the islands. It begins early with a quick breakfast of coffee and
cigarettes or dried Rusk soaked in warm milk, followed by a substantial питательный lunch and a siesta
полуденный отдых. After a few hours more work, evening is the time to relax with family and/or friends
nibbling перекусывая meze (Greek appetizer). This is followed at 9 or 10pm by dinner with, perhaps, sweet
pastries, cakes or ice-cream enjoyed later in the cafes. 'kæfeɪ Eating in Greece is intertwined переплетаться,
сплетаться with good company and discussion, and for this reason it is considered an important part of the
everyday life of the Greeks. There are many types of eateries in Greece, such as restaurants, tavernas,
cafeterias.
If you want to try the typically Greek traditional food, the first thing you have to do is to find a traditional
Greek tavern 'tæv(ə)n. The first sign you should look for is the customers: if the majority is Greek then you
are on the right track. Also have a look at the tavern, if it doesn't have huge signs in 50 languages shouting out
that they have the Greek dishes of Moussaka for only 4-5 euro, then you have found something. If you are
really lucky, they dont even have menus, at least not in English.
Step two is to eat the way the Greeks do. You start by ordering in mezes, or mezedakia. These are the small
dishes with various delicacies that you eat as appetizers or on the side. You can even remain there and not
order a main course at all. Order whatever comes to mind, or ask the waiter to bring in whatever is good.
Opening a menu in a Greek Restaurant or Tavern the first part are the appetizers, I am not going to list all the
Greek appetizers here but the most common that the Greeks will order. One of the most popular starters is
the tsatsiki the famous appetizer made out of Yogurt, garlic and cucumbers, Taramosalata, the Greek red
caviar Don't be afraid to try it. It doesn't taste like you expect! and then usually fried aubergines, zucchinis
[zu'kiːnɪ or fried green paprika followed by Tyropitakia (small cheese pies).
Among the main dishes you will find moussaka, stuffed tomatoes, aubergines or paprika, giouvarlakia
(meatballs with rice in white egg and lemon sauce), Dolmades (stuffed cabbage leaves), and many meat
dishes from chicken (kotopoulo) veal (moshari) and lamb (arni) In many grill taverns mostly in the mainland
of Greece you will find many specialities like Kokoretsi, Gardoumpa and Splinantero all having as base lamb
liver and kidneys ['kɪdnɪ]
The fish dishes are the best ones as Greece is a country surrounded by the sea and fishing is a main factor of
the Greek agriculture. But fish dishes are the tricky ones for the foreigners and tourist because in many Greek
taverns the fishes are spelled wrongly and many west and north European tourists doesn't know so well the
fishes of the Mediterranean. Of course the lobsters, shrimps and red mullets (Barbounia) are the most
expensive and most popular, but there are many other kind of fishes that you have to should try like Tsipoura
(sea bream), Lithrinia (red sea breams) Fagria, Melanouria, Sargoi and Synagrides all of those fishes belong to
the breams лещ family, very tasty grilled or fried. The typical Greek fish soup contains except of the fish,
onions, carrots, potatoes and celery, in an excellent combination with olive oil and lemon juice.
Finally the desserts include Yogurt with honey, Crème caramel and Baklava.
Wine was for the Ancient Greek the drink of the Gods, still today the Greek wine is for the Greeks the most
popular drink. Among the most popular wines in Greece is the Retsina a wine that for the foreigner is you
love it or you hate it. Retsina is one of the most older wines in Greece and its name and taste comes from the
resin смола that they put in. Its popularity comes from 2 reasons the good taste and the cheap price.
