Discover the Flavors of Greece: Top 12 Fun Facts About Greek Food You Never Knew

1. Seafood Consumption Showdown

Move over Poseidon, Greek folks love them some seafood too: Greece ranks among the highest European Mediterranean countries in annual seafood consumption per capita with an average of 33.4 kilograms, just behind Portugal, who takes the lead at 56.8 kilograms per person, as shown in the "WWF Seafood and the Mediterranean 2017" report.
Source => seafoodsource.com

2. Pita Pizza Perfection

Calling all pizza connoisseurs and pita pundits – prepare to have your culinary worlds collide in a mouthwatering masterpiece: The Greek Pita Pizza, where a golden, seasoned pita bread acts as the scrumptious foundation for a symphony of classical Hellenic ingredients like succulent marinated chicken, velvety Kalamata olives, crumbly feta cheese, and a decadent drizzle of homemade Tzatziki sauce, with a sprinkling of gooey mozzarella for cheesy measure. This crispy-yet-pillowy crust innovation will not only revolutionize your weeknight dinners but also earn you some serious Zeus-approved bragging rights!
Source => ourlifetastesgood.com

Did you know that ancient Roman pizzas had wild toppings like pigs blood and honey? Discover the surprising history of pizza before tomatoes became its star ingredient! 🍕🐷🍯

=> Fun Facts about Italian-Food

3. Olive Oil: Liquid Gold

Greek olive oil: the ancient potion for immortality and secret elixir to hero strength; well, not exactly, but close! This golden liquid of the gods doesn't just turn your salads into divine ambrosia but also works as a health powerhouse, boosting bone mineralization, slashing the risk of type 2 diabetes and arthritis, and even helping to lower blood pressure while fending off harmful bacteria. Trust the Greeks to turn a simple ingredient into a heroic health remedy!
Source => thegreekdeli.com

4. Food Meets Phi Beta Kappa

If Phi Beta Kappa and Moussaka got together, they'd cook up an academic feast: Did you know that Greek food and the prestigious academic honor society of Phi Beta Kappa share a rich history? While Greek cuisine goes back thousands of years with staples like moussaka and spanakopita, Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 to promote intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. Get this, their name is derived from the Greek words for "Philosophy," "the Guide of Life," and "the Virtues," echoing the society's values and mission. Talk about a buffet of wit and wisdom!
Source => pbk.org

5. Cheesecake Evolution

In a classic tale of yeast to eggs, starring ancient Greeks and a cameo by New York: the modern cheesecake we devour today didn't exist until the 18th century when Europeans swapped yeast for eggs to make it rise, with American cream cheese revolutionizing the recipe in the 19th century and paving the way for the beloved New York style cheesecake and its regional adaptations.
Source => cheesecake.com

6. Buff Greek Yogurt

You might say that Greek yogurt is more buff than your average yogurt, pumping up the protein with weight-training by whey removal: Greek yogurt's protein content doubles compared to regular yogurt due to the straining of some of the whey, transforming it into a thicker, creamier treat that packs a healthy punch.
Source => saladinajar.com

7. Gyro: Trojan Army's Fuel

Feeding the Trojan army one gyro at a time: the traditional Greek gyro is typically crafted from succulent, spit-cooked pork or chicken, rolled into a warm, grilled pita embrace, and adorned with tasty allies such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce, french fries, and tzatziki sauce like an edible Hellenic mosaic.
Source => cooklikeagreekblog.com

8. Dionysus vs. Sobriety

If Greeks were to tell Dionysus to "wine" down just a notch, they might risk Zeus throwing a bit of a temper tantrum: Social drinking is deeply ingrained in Greek culture, with roots in ancient times, and it's even common for children to enjoy watered-down wine – but always in moderation, as excessive drinking is frowned upon. So, bottoms up to the ever-wise Greek toast "Yiamas," which means "Cheers" or "To your health", but do keep the rambunctious revelry in check!
Source => ling-app.com

9. Chicken Souvlaki Secrets

Why did the chicken cross the Mediterranean? To become a scrumptious Greek chicken souvlaki, of course! The hilarious prelude: Marinated in a divine concoction of oregano, lemon juice, and garlic, the chicken is skewered, grilled to perfection, and served with mouth-watering tzatziki sauce and soft pita bread as a popular street food in Greece. The serious reveal: Ensuring juiciness and tenderness involves not overcooking the chicken and threading it loosely on skewers for even cooking between the pieces.
Source => mygreekdish.com

10. Baklava: A Legendary Dessert

Baklava, the Brad Pitt of pastries, mysterious, and layered: Historians believe this delicious dessert originated in the Assyrian Empire around the 8th century BCE, while its modern form may have been invented in Turkey during the Ottoman Empire and later tweaked to perfection by Greek culinarians. Today's baklava dazzles us with its delectable combination of phyllo dough, nuts, and a sweet syrup concocted from water, sugar, vanilla, and honey.
Source => allrecipes.com

11. Pine-Resined Wine Adventures

You know what they say, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the pine-resined wine!" Seriously, though: Greek retsina wine dates back 2,000 years and was developed through sealing wines with Aleppo pine resin, leading to a distinct aroma that's still popular today, with pine resin added during fermentation for a deliciously unique flavor.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Tzatziki: Hercules's Favorite Condiment

If Hercules had a favorite condiment for his 12 Labored feasts, it would undoubtedly be Tzatziki: this refreshing yogurt-based sauce hails from southeastern Europe and the Middle East, and can be found gracing Greek tables alongside Turkish, Bulgarian, and even Persian dishes. The magical mixture of cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs has been known to tame even the wildest of hunger beasts – just ask the Nemean lion!
Source => foodandwine.com