Greek food - how has it been influenced and how is important to Greek culture?

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Airpole

The influence of food in the Greek culture is shown by the simple fact that Greeks have not the regular hours the rest Europeans have in taking their meals. Food governs our lives even to the smallest degree and the good quality of it is the important factor. So much so that people in order to get good quality ingredients are prepared to travel long distances for it.
Especially the super that can be taken form 10.00 pm to anytime up late as early in the morning. That is the most socializing meal of the day and Greeks , being hearty eaters enjoy it to the full.
Meals itself are influenced by the local products and since all foods are made with fresh ingredients that is also one important factor that regulates them.
Influence has been brought in both from the East as much as the West .

Gabriella

On top of what justbeingher already mentioned, Greek food is influenced by Turkish ways of food preparation.
Many Greek words for food are even of Turkish origin, and it is a fact, that the best Greek recipes originated in Constantinople (Istanbul) and Alexandria.

justbeingher

It is influenced by what is available naturally (plants, animals, seafood, oils, etc) and the region of Greece you are looking at. It is a huge focus because people gather around meals to enjoy and socialize.

Vasiliki-Βασιλική

They have influenced by local ingriedients,just like olive oil,feta,fish,and agricultural products...
also is influenced by eastern cuisine,such as turkish.....
but Greece has influence other countrie's cuisine as well...

I never said that greek food has no asociation with other cuisines Mariana.that doesn't mean though that the whole cuisine has to do with it,right?

Dafni C

Greece has an ancient culinary tradition dating back several millennia. Over the centuries Greek cuisine has evolved and absorbed numerous influences and influenced many cuisines. So, Greece did not influence and got influenced only by the Turkish cuisine.

Additionally, each region has different culinary habits and different dishes can be tracked back to different periods: Ancient Greece, Hellenistic, Roman, Ottoman, Byzandium periods.

I suggest you tackle your project from various perspectives taking into account the different regions of Greece, historical events, the climate, the traditions and other influencing factors.

A good source to start off is : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_food

Additionally, there is a very good movie talking about the different spices used in the Greek food (at the region of Minor Asia where Greeks and Turks used to share several culinary habits). The movie is called 'Politiki kouzina' and it was directed by Tassos Boulmetis.

Another way to get 'hands-on experience' is to visit Greece and experience yourself the Greek food!

Good luck with your project.

marginbuu

greek food is a mixture of different cultures, Italian, asian. In fact I have been to a few different greek islands and the food differs on every one so your question is a hard nut to crack. However food is important to the structure of the greek family and every meal is an "event" that all members attend.

Марияна от България

Bravo, Vasiliki! You, for the first time, said that Greak's food took something from Turkish food!

Alexander K

You can say that greek food and greek cuisine shares a lot with the neighbouring civilisations, like the civilisations of the Balkan peninsula, the Turkish and the Roman civilization etc. It is based on products found in Greece like oil, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, lamp etc. and plays a significant role in many celebrations. For example for Easter we have a special soup we cook, consisting of vegetables and offal while in Christmas we bake special cookies called "kourampiedes". You can also say that during the last years Greek's food habits are more and more diverting from traditional Greek cuisine eating more junk food and having a less healthy diet. I hope this will help you a bit...

Life is hopeless when you dream.

Greek food has many roots since ancient times - Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman era. It is a mixture of ancient, Balkan, Turkish and Mediteranean food.

GREEK BARBiiE♥

Greek food is similar to Mediteranean, Balkan and Turkish cuisine.

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