In
the past several years, many positive remarks have been
made about the Cretan or Mediterranean Diet. So it is
now well known that the Cretan Diet is not only aromatic
and tasteful, but also extremely healthy. The nutritional
effects of our diet have rightfully taken their place
in our culture, equal in excellence to our monumental
identity and our sun and sea. The most important product
that gave so much credit to Cretan Diet is our virgin
olive oil. The contribution of the local wine, vegetables,
meat, dairy products (feta cheese, gruere) is also significant.
The modern dietology considers the Cretan diet and the
Cretan way of life as the reason for long living and good
health. – Most of the international research has brought
Crete to light as the shining example of the Mediterranean
Diet. Since the discovery that the residents of the island
have one of the lowest mortality rates internationally
and fewer cases of heart attacks or cancer, scientists
started searching for the specific elements in the Cretan
Diet which contribute to the Cretans’ privileged health
status. Very soon, though, it became evident that this
is all due the Cretans’ particular history. This means
that it isn’t a special conclusion of research by some
scientists, but a biological experiment that has lasted
for thousands of years!
Cretan Products
For the Cretans, the secret of good health and long living
is very simple. They eat all that their rich soil gives
them. Many fruits, vegetables, groceries, legumes, varieties
of cheese, olive oil and bread. They scent the taste with
marvelous herbs like oregano, they make desserts with
natural sweetening materials, honey and molasses, and
accompany their meal with excellent local wine.
Cretan Recipes
So don’t miss tasting all the island’s traditional recipes
during your stay in Crete. There are appetizers and dishes
like rusks, honey and cheese, pies from Sfakia, village
green pies, cream cheese, boiled snails, staka, stuffed
vine leaves, rabbit casserole, patty, Sfakian casserole
and many more are tastes you will remember for ever.
Restaurants and taverns in Crete
In Crete there are restaurants and taverns that offer
traditional recipes, using only pure, natural local ingredients.
There are also traditional stores, from where you can
buy authentic home-grown products from the Cretan soil.
