Written by GreekBoston.com in Greek Cooking For dill, both the leaves and the seeds are used. Aglaia Kremezi, use Aleppo Pepper which adds an interesting flavor to the food but if this was common in any period of Greek history it is not now unless you are lucky enough to be invited to her house for lunch. Herbal Tea Blend. The list of Greek herbs and spices and health benefits mentioned above are one of the examples of thing you could learn from this ancient country. In seacoast communities, dill is often used when preparing fish. Often made spicy with various peppers. One is a vinegar sauce for fish that my mother used to make and the other is with lamb and roast potatoes though this may be more Greek cuisine incorporates dry herbs in many traditional dishes, with thyme, oregano, mint, and savory as some of the most popular. common among the Greeks I know than those of the general population. Loads of aromatic and therapeutic herbs grow in Greece, one of the richest countries in biodiversity.Either as food or as natural remedies, they have been used since the ancient times, mainly as pain-killers.Nowadays, a good 75% of chemical medicines are based on the miraculous properties of herbs. Herbs. Most Greek kitchens have a peppermill for grinding fresh pepper. It’s also the star spice in desserts like baklava and rizogolo, or rice pudding. Common herbs and spices in the Greek Kitchen. Since saffron is grown in Greece, it’s a relatively inexpensive spice and is therefore used in a variety of dishes. Greek Cooking, Greek Groceries, Greek Herbs & Spices, Greek Products Knorr Extra Flavour Grained Vegetable Broth / Ζωμός Σε Κόκκους Extra Γεύση Λαχανικών 147g. It’s also the star ingredient in maidanosalata, a fresh parsley spread that tastes great as an appetizer. the natural flavor of these things rather than hide it or disguise it with spices. However, saffron can make an appearance in anything from soups to seafood dishes. Pour some Extra Virgin Olive Oil on your meat to help the spices stick and apply generously. HERBS, VARIOUS. Here is a list of the twelve most popular herbs found growing naturally in Greece, along with few details of their history and uses. Syrian Oregano (Oregano maru) - Strong, spicy flavor. Diosmos (mint) is used to flavor keftedes (meatballs) and in some pies and salads. Herbs & Tea. It’s also regularly drunk as a relaxing herbal tea, which people swear by for upset stomachs. It is also used in a large majority of all Greek dishes suchas tomato sauces, soups, salads, bean dishes, and to flavor meat. List of herbs. Even though Greek cooking isn’t spicy, the peppercorn is highly prized for it’s unique zing. Sometimes includes potatoes, carrots, or zucchini. It included not only the physician's art, but also magic (i.e. Oregano in ancient Greece was used to symbolize joy and happiness since bridal wreaths were made by, among other things, oregano branches. If you are a sufferer of diabetes, you can replace low-calorie sweeteners with the ones made with stevia. No, Greek cooking just wouldn’t be the same without these seasonings. Anitho (dill) is used in pitas (pies), salads and dolmadas. Legend has it that the herb was created by Aphrodite and has come to symbolize happiness and joy. Greek Seasoning Recipe - An Authentic Blend of Dried Herbs For Traditional Flavours. The herbs were considered as magic, and up to this date they are widely used throughout Greece as a supplement to standard medicine. This is the most widely used herb. It may be used as a … These are only a few of the herbs pertaining to mythology, please add to this list with your own research of this delightful study. In Greek cooking, many dishes, breads, salads, dressings, and sauces are flavored with a variety of herbs, greens, and spices unique to this country’s combination of tastes. Very few. Herbs and spices lend flavor, color and important micronutrients – all without adding fat or calories – to home cooking. Salvia divinorum also known as 'Diviner's Sage', 'Sage of the Seers', or simply by the genus name, Salvia, is known as the most psychoactive of the salvias. There are also regional differences in Greece, as well. You can’t go very far in Greece without bumping into the smell of someone cooking. Vassilikos (basil) which is one of my favorite herbs is actually not eaten in Greece though you will see it grown ornamentally In Greek cooking, mint is mostly used in savory foods such as meatballs and stuffed grape leaves. Usually, medicines with qualities and actions contrary or complementary to those of the disorder are used to return the organism to a state of balance. It comes from the sideritis plant that only grows in elevations above 3000 feet. Greek shepherds have enjoyed this herbal tea while shepherding flocks of sheep on the Greek mountainsides for ages. 0 out of 5 (0) SKU: 5201080102454 Most dishes include at least a pinch of the stuff. Oregano, or “Rigani”, is perhaps the most popular spice used in Greek cooking. Tsoureki, the popular Greek Easter bread, just wouldn’t be the same without mahleb, a spice that gives this bread a unique flavor. This is one of the easiest pages to write because Greek cooking is very simple and does not rely on a large variety of herbs and spices but the combination of a few. Greek food is simple and artfully perfumed with herbs and spices that are combined in unexpected ways. There are many places in Greece where salt is harvested on flat plains by the sea and Greek sea-salt is of a high quality. Basil Basil is a tropical perennial and cultivated herb with many culinary uses. The home gardener will have the most success with a good quality well-draining potting soil. Growing Greek Herbs. List of Greek Herbs Arugula Arugula is an herb that is also used as a salad green. Cinnamon flavors a popular chicken dish. Fasolakia (φασολάκια) Fresh green beans stewed in tomato sauce. Some chefs, notably Tags Greek herbs, herbal plant, herbs, spices; Related Posts. Greek Herbs & Spices 155 followers greek-herbs-spices ( 1029 greek-herbs-spices's Feedback score is 1029 ) 99.3% greek-herbs-spices has 99.3% Positive Feedback Save this seller Kanela (cinnamon) is used in many sauces and deserts and is sprinkled on apples for a desert after a big meal. Oregano (Greek) Rosemary; Sage (Culinary) Salad Burnet; Savory (Summer) Savory (Winter) Scented Geranium; Sorrel (French) Tarragon (French) Thyme; Introduction; Herb Directory; Preserving Herbs… Garifalo (cloves) are an important ingredient in stifado and is also used in breads and sweets. Herbalists and health experts recommend stevia as it works as a natural sweetener. With this list of herbs, you’ll have plenty of choices. Plants common to the Mediterranean herb garden thrive in that region’s warm temperatures and dry soil. The Greek Theophrastus classified sage as a "coronary herbe", because it flushed disease from the body, easing any undue strain on the heart. Turkestan Oregano (Oregano tyttanthum) - Strong flavor, robust plant, good for … Gigandes plaki (γίγαντες πλακί) Baked beans with tomato sauce and herbs. It’s most often used in rice dishes. It’s also used in desserts such as baklava and kataifi. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular. Name: Arugula (Rocket) ... More details can be found about these and other classic Greek herbs and spices from various online sites for Greek food and relevant books. Cinnamon is an essential ingredient in both savory cooking and with desserts. Herbs Friend, Hilderic, Flower Lore. It has zero calories and high nutritional value. Submitted by Lois Jean Howard, The Herb Society of America, South Texas Unit. Many of these spices are from Greece and the Mediterranean region and are used for medicinal purposes as well as in many of the traditional Greek food dishes. If you want to add them to your kitchen cupboard, here you find a useful vocabulary list. The seeds are often used in breads and to flavor meat. Oregano (Rigani) Spices Because of the many herbs and spices used on a daily basis, there's no one herb or spice that defines Greek cooking, however, there are a list of herbs and spices, both native to Greece and imported that are found most often in recipes for Greek food. May have to be treated as a tender perennial or brought indoors for the winter. Most people grow herbs in pots or tend well-used herb gardens. You can purchase the dried berries and grind them yourself or buy them already pulverized. Selino is actually wild celery and is used in some stews, particularly the hirino me selino which is served in the winter. or for good luck in gardens, apartments, rooftops, restaurants and even on boats. In Greece, the variety of Oregano that is used is called Origanum vulgare, and has a slightly different flavor than the oregano that is found elsewhere. €3.60 excluding shipping. Here’s our comprehensive list of herbs to choose from! Kumino (cumin) is used in soutzoukakia, the spicey meatballs served in tomato sauce. Herbal Tea. Next is peperi (pepper) which like salt is found on every table and is usually the normal black pepper that you eat at home. So lets begin with the basics, and the most basic is elati (salt). It’s used with chicken and lamb, and is also an essential ingredient in stifado, a dish that is traditionally made with rabbit. Once you’ve mastered the basic herbs, try the more exotic types. Cinnamon flavors a popular chicken dish. on Popular Herbs and Spices of Greek Cuisine. Organic Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. Grieve, M.. A Modern Herbal I-II, Although the list of local herbs is endless, we have picked some of the lesser-known ones and included them on this list. Greeks don't eat spicy foods and they don't season heavily. You can also incorporate chopped leaves of stevia into salads to prepare a n… Among the other herbs which grow on the hillsides of the Greek mainland and the islands dendrolivano (rosemary) is used sparingly, in fact I can think of only two recipes. The leaves pair well with avgolemono sauce, to flavor salads, and with tzatziki, the cucumber yogurt dip. With years of experience in wholesale of imports and exports to and from all over the world, we make sure our products are in excellent state and we focus to the best service for our customers, always based on their needs! Greek food is simple and artfully perfumed with herbs and spices that are combined in unexpected ways. Herbs & Tea. Bibliography: Cozart, Jean, Herbs in Greek Mythology, The Herbarist, 1979. Other useful types but not as winter hardy. Even we mere mortals who cook dinner a few times a week can use them to zing up eggs, salads, lentils or chicken. Faskomilo (sage) can be smelled all over the mountains and is used in a tea. Greek cuisine relies on several different herbs to lend its signature flavors. What Does It Mean When a Food is Described As “Greek Style”. Greek perennial plant that reaches 60 cm height, grows everywhere in the sunny lands next to rural roads. Visit Greece and the Greek seasoning you find added to your food will usually be fresh and come from what happens to be growing in the herb garden at the time of year. In the Athens central market there are venders selling herbs and spices on the street and there are several shops that specialize in them, the best known being Elixer on Evripidou Street right near the corner of Athinas Street. Allspice gives meat an exotic, spicy flavor. People who are nervous about going to Greece because they have a fear of spicy foods can take solace. The ancient Greeks, who believed parsley seeds made several journeys to Hades before germinating, used the herb as … The Greek kitchen is all about enhancing the natural flavors of the products and generally, food in Greece is not spicy. This is the most widely used herb. Thymari (thyme) is used in some meat dishes and for flavoring some olives as well as some of the best Greek honey. Some of the most common are oregano, mint, dill, basil, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. If you live outside of Greece, it’s worth tracking down just for that one dish! Sousami (sesame seeds) are used on breads and in halva and with honey to make a sweet called pasteli. The company Merkouroglou spices and herbs, has been active in the wholesale field of spices and herbs since 1926. Filters. Rigani (oregano) is used a lot in Greek cooking appearing in most meat dishes, baked vegetables, sauces and of course on Greek salads. The leaves and flowers are harvested, dried and then boiled to … Comments Off on Popular Herbs and Spices of Greek Cuisine. List of Herbs Used in … Greek : Pharmakon (singular), pharmaka (plural) Species : Various (some were purely mythical) Description : In ancient Greek, the word pharmakeia referred to the use of herbal drugs, potions and charms. All traditional medical systems, including Greek Medicine, have developed conceptual structures and guidelines for studying and determining these effects, which guide the selection and use of herbs. Print Cite verified Cite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Whether you have a large space or just a few pots on a patio, growing a crop of herbs like basil, oregano or thyme to harvest gives a feeling of accomplishment. Greek Herbs and Spices In ancient Greece where Hippocrates (460-370 before Christ), the father of medicine lived, the use and implement of herbs from the Greek countryside was the base of medical science. In Greek myth, parsley is believed to grow from the ground soaked with the blood of Archemoros (also known as Opheltes of Nemea). From arugula to wild celery, they season salads, soups, meat or seafood dishes, and more. These flavorings are so highly valued that a simple visit to someone’s home in Greece may result in you walking home with bundles of fresh herbs in your arms, a cherished gift from the family. Spearmint is a secret ingredient in dolmades, or stuffed grape leaves. Greek cooking relies heavily on salt to bring outn the flavor of meat, fish and vegetables and most of the salt used is from the sea. fb Whatsapp Twitter LinkedIn. Usually includes eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and herbs and seasonings. As you can see, we have two categories here: herbs and spices. Related species is the rose and the common name is asprozaki or fonochorto. Greek Oregano – True oregano, excellent flavor, hardy. Even though Greek cooking is fairly similar throughout the country, cooks do focus on what’s available locally, which could affect the way things are seasoned. Fresh parsley is also used all the time, particular as a garnish and to top salads. Also a blend used in the North will have subtle differences from ones used in the South. Place the herbs in full sun and fertilize, especially if the herbs are contained in pots, with some all purpose fertilizer once a year or so. hirtum) 25g. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Dafnofila (bay leaves) are used in some soups and stews. The stem is red, serrated leaves and flowers of yellow (summer). Even though there are a lot of herbs and spices available, each family has their own unique ways of combining the ingredients. Tsoureki, the popular Greek Easter bread, just wouldn’t be the same without mahleb, a spice that gives this bread a unique flavor. Grid List. List of herbs and spices. Spearmint is a secret ingredient in dolmades, or stuffed grape leaves. Herbs: Like other ingredients, herbs grow easily here thanks to the climate. And the culinary advantages of Mediterranean herbs and spices, in particular, are extolled by pretty much any chef worth her tall white hat. Below is a more simple list of the herbs and the pronounciation . The focus of Greek cooking is on the vegetables, breads and meats and the philosophy seems to be bringing out Without mahleb, a uniquely sweet spice, Greek Easter bread just wouldn’t taste the same. Herbs for Greek Gyros Ariadne Herbs for Gyros is a selection of the best herbs and spices of the Mediterranean. Read all about some of the most popular Greek spices and herbs found in Greek cooking. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231228/greek-seasoning-blend Herbs Rigani (oregano) is used a lot in Greek cooking appearing in most meat dishes, baked vegetables, sauces and of course on Greek salads. These are some of the most powerful Greek herbs to include in any diet. Its peppery, mustard-like taste adds pizzazz to salads, egg dishes, and vegetables. Hippocrates, great Greek physician, father of medicine, wisely said: “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food” 1. Maidanos (parsley) is used as a garnish as well as in some meat and vegetable dishes. 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