Food & Drink
The Greek diet is that of the Mediterranean cuisine, which is considered one of the healthiest in the world. Their varieties of colourful foods are high in nutrients and low in animal fats. Olive Oil plays an important role in Greek dietary habits, and is used as the basis of many traditional Greek cuisines.
The Greeks are very social people and often share meals with family and friends, either at their home or at a local taverna.
Due to the mild Greek climate, most fruit and vegetables are grown outdoors such as tomatoes, lettuces, carrots, onions, parsley and garlic, grapes, apricots, peaches, cherries, melons and watermelons.
Herbs collected by most Greeks are from the mountains and countryside. They are renowned for their taste, scent and healing properties.
Wheat has been cultivated in Greece for thousands of years and is used to make a variety of breads including pita and whole grain bread. Rice is regularly eaten as part of the Greek diet and is served in stews or wrapped in grape leaves to make dolmades.
There are many different cheeses eaten throughout Greece, in particular 'feta' cheese, which is made from goats or sheep milk and is used in traditional Greek salads and pies.