Gusto di Grecia on Pindarou Street in Kolonaki, Athens, is a delicatessen shop that specializes in genuine traditional Greek products from all over the country.
Visitors to Greece usually think that Greek produce consists mainly of olive oil and feta cheese, which do play a central role in Greek cuisine and farming. Greek products, however, cover a much wider range. End especially over the last years, they have developed extensively and reached high standards, taken part in international exhibitions and even earned awards.
The team of young professionals at Gusto di Grecia did wide research on the subject before opening the store, finding the best producers from both the islands and the mainland, so as to guarantee excellent quality and value for money.
Interior of Gusto di Grecia — Photo courtesy of Gusto di Grecia
The aim of Gusto di Grecia is to bring these strictly selected products closer to the wide public and to promote them also abroad in the future, highlighting their high nutritional value and gourmet taste. The owners are in direct contact with the producers, keeping the prices affordable and cultivating a close relationship.
Each region and island of Greece specializes in its own traditional products, which cover a wide range of tastes and types. Several are certified organic, and all products are made with correct agricultural methods.
Recently, Greek traditional products have also been incorporated in delicious dishes by well-known chefs, bringing these lesser-known tastes on the menus of many restaurants in Athens and elsewhere.
The diversity of Greek land makes for such a large variety of products. The volcanic soil of Santorini, for example, is unique, and so are the products farmed there. North Greece has yet a different climate, different culinary traditions and different produce. The same goes for each region of Greece, which specializes in the cultivation of various products.
The reason that Greek olive oil is so famous is because of its unique taste and quality. At Gusto di Grecia you can find some of the best brands, together with Kalamon olives.
Other interesting specialties include dried figs from Euboea; loukoumi (Turkish delight) from the island of Ikaria; chalvas (sweets made with tahini) from Volos; almond pastries from Chios; and raisins from Corinth.
Capers and sun-dried tomatoes from Santorini; the famous botargo from Mesolonghi; and sardines and ouzo from Lesvos are perfect for preparing a traditional Greek meze, accompanied with freshly baked small rusks from Crete.
Homemade pasta in many variations is also produced in the region of Lakonia, and the chickpeas of Santorini are ideal for preparing a puree called fava that's served with olive oil, olives and onion.
The prosciutto and other cold cuts produced on the Stremmenos farm in the region of Evritania are famous in Greece for their quality and taste. You'll find them at Gusto di Grecia, together with a wide variety of cheeses, from the well-known feta to gruyere from Naxos and Crete.
Wine is also important in Greece, and you can find several very good labels at Gusto di Grecia.
Less known but equally delicious are the beans from the region of Lake Prespa, the spicy red peppers from Florina and the mushrooms from Euboea. Greek honey is also well known, and it's present from the regions of Crete and Euboea, with its high nutritional value and delicious taste. The rose vinegar of Cephalonia is definitely worth tasting.
You can discover the various foods of Greece at Gusto di Grecia.
