Buy typical products of Greece It is one of the great pleasures that a trip to this country and its islands offers, with the permission of its other great attractions of cultural tourism and sun and beach.
And it is that the Greeks are true masters when it comes to making certain products. Especially in the fields of the crafts and gastronomy. In the first, thanks to the country's long and rich history, since Greece is one of the great world cradles of art. And in the second, for the prodigious fusion between Mediterranean and oriental cuisine.
Greece Products: Handicrafts
It is not an exaggeration to say that typical greek crafts in all its manifestations it is the best representation of the country's history. It has its roots in ancient times and draws on all the cultures that have passed through these lands to this day, from the Romans to the Ottomans.
On a walk through the Plaka neighborhood From the capital Athens, you can discover many shops of traditional crafts. In them we can find, among other things:
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- Gold and silver jewelery of the best quality.
- Reproductions of orthodox icons.
- Embroidery, tapestries and fabrics.
- Copies of vessels and ceramic objects from Ancient Greece faithfully reproduced (such as the hoplite helmets in the image that heads this post).
- Leather products, among which the typical Greek sandals stand out.
Nazar, the Greek amulet against the evil eye
In addition to all this, it is almost mandatory to buy the typical nazar. This blue crystal amulet is used by the Greeks, always superstitious, to protect themselves from the evil eye. It can be worn around the neck or placed next to the door of the house. Regardless of whether it works or not, no one can deny that it is a beautiful souvenir.
Gastronomic products of Greece
One of the main reasons for the excellence of Greek gastronomy it is the richness and quality of the raw materials that this land produces: fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, olive oil and other gourmet products jump to the eyes of the traveler with a tempting exuberance.
Visit a typical Greek market it is an experience for the senses. These are the ideal places to browse and taste, let yourself be carried away by its magical atmosphere and return home loaded with real delicatessen. These are some of them:
Olives and olive oil
El greek olive oil It is considered one of the best in the world. It is also a basic pillar of the Mediterranean diet. Greek olive groves produce different types of olives, many of which decorate typical restaurant dishes.
Greek vineyards are the oldest in Europe. Currently, the country produces excellent and very diverse wines: red, white, pink, sweet or dry.
Retsina, the delicate and delicious white wine from Greece
Among the most famous stands out the retsin, the wonderful white wine that takes its name from the pine resin stopper with which the bottles were formerly sealed. Another highly appreciated wine is mavrodafni, "black laurel", an intense red from the Peloponnese region.
Ouzo is a brandy originating in the Chios island that over time has become a national symbol. The tsipouro, a strong aniseed liquor very popular in the Macedonia region, in the north of the country.
Honey and herbs
Among the best typical products of Greece is also the miel, which, like other foods, has been manufactured and consumed for millennia. Honey from Greece is offered to us in numerous varieties, as it is flavored with a wide variety of plants and flowers.
All the Herbs they play a very important role in the preparation of the various dishes of typical Greek cuisine. Aromatic like oregano, mint or the sage they are sold in the markets together with the most popular species such as sesame, Comino or saffron, which provide the flavor and exoticism of the East.
Coming home from your trip to Greece with a good assortment of honey and herbs is an excellent idea.
Cheese and yogurt
It is impossible to close this list without mentioning two dairy products that, in all fairness, are among the most important typical products of Greece.
Feta cheese, a typical delicacy of Greece
El cheese made it is a delight as old as the country itself. It is made with sheep's milk and brine, and is consumed as an aperitif or in a salad. In many shops they sell feta in wooden boxes, perfectly packed and protected for those who want to carry it in their luggage on the trip home.
Moreover, the Greek yogurt, with its creaminess and flavor, it is offered both as a dessert as a basic ingredient for the famous tzatziki sauce.