When we are going to have a rest abroad, we are looking forward to trying something overseas, brand new for the soul and with a refined aftertaste, so that later we can relish the gastronomic memories before the next holiday.
Cyprus is a sunny, hospitable island, which is filled with the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. The national cuisine of Cyprus is a special cult, part of the culture of the ancient island. The long history of the development and conquest of Cyprus from century to century had its influence on the formation of local culinary. The main notes belong to the kitchens of Greece and Turkey, but elements of Arab, English and Caucasian cuisines are also caught.
Splendor and variety of dishes always amazes with excellent taste and generous sizes and will not leave anyone hungry. Cypriots are very respectful of food, this is a special part of the local culture, so only fresh food and vegetable oils are used to prepare any dish.
On the island of Cyprus, equally respected for fish and meat - the most delicious dish to choose we have with you. Seafood and all kinds of fish are caught in the Mediterranean Sea, extremely rarely, when in restaurants they use imported frozen products. Meat is also local - on the slopes of the mountains farmers grow different cattle, so for cooking dishes in restaurants use fresh meat.
What is a meze?
If you are in Cyprus for the first time and are wondering what to try from Mediterranean cuisine, feel free to choose meze. The meaning of the word is translated as "small yummies" in the abbreviation of "mezedhes".
Meze is fish, meat or mixed. When ordering a fish meze in a fish restaurant, do not be surprised by the abundance that awaits you. You will be served with all kinds of fish and sea creatures that are in the kitchen. On average, it will be about 10-15 mini-portions of different dishes for sample: mussels, shrimps, squid, fish soufflé, cuttlefish and octopus, various kinds of fish; All this is served with olives, white bread and Greek salad. Order meze for a minimum of 2 people and it will cost you about € 18-22 for each eater. Drinks and other dishes are always considered separately.
Meat "meze" - a great sight for everyone who loves meat. Judge for yourself: beef, pork, lamb and sometimes small birds. All this will be cooked according to national recipes in the oven or on coals, and all kinds of sauces, salad and bread will be served on the table. The average price is € 15-20 per person.
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National dishes of Cyprus
Classic dishes of the cuisine menu of Cyprus, except for the famous "meze" - is:
- "Suvlaki" (small), otherwise "suvla" (large), it is a question of the kind of Cypriot shish kebab from pieces of meat of various sizes;
- "Dolma" - excellent meat with rice, which is wrapped in leaves of grapes;
- "Moussaka" - a format of casserole from minced meat and eggplant, zucchini squash, flavored with Béchamel sauce;
- "Kalamari" - favorite rings of squid in deep-fried.
The menu of restaurants necessarily contains cheese assortment, incl. from goat's milk.
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Sauces of Cyprus
Absolutely to all dishes of Cyprus sauces are served in assortment. The most favorite is "zatzyki", it is made from yogurt with small pieces of pickled cucumbers, mint and garlic.
Bright-pink sauce "taramasalata" has a weak tinted fish taste, tk. they cook it with caviar of pollock, olive oil and mashed potatoes.
If you mix sesame seeds with lemon juice by formula, you will get a thick tahini sauce. In addition to sauces, the table is decorated with unchanged olives in spices and olive oil - without it, as always, nowhere.
Sweets of Cyprus
Many dishes of the cuisine of Cyprus are set off with tea with locally produced candied fruits. They are made from classic melon and watermelon crusts, sometimes from orange peels, and also from green walnuts. Interestingly, candied fruits are always served in their syrup and are eaten with a fork and knife.
The influence of the Turkish cuisine was clearly reflected in the Cyprus baklava, almonds in molasses, lucum. Any dessert is traditionally offered with coffee, less often with tea. Cyprus coffee has the second name "metrio". It is cooked necessarily in the Turk, where it boils several times, then poured over tiny cups and served with a separate glass of water. For pleasure, it is recommended to drink it in small sips. This coffee does not contain spices and sugar, only according to your desire.
Drinks in restaurants in Cyprus
Year-round harvest of juicy citrus in restaurants turns into tasty high-quality juices.
Local residents can combine any meal with a glass of local beer cooked at the KEO plant , or a bottle of fine wine. The pride of the Cypriots is the local wine "Commandaria", it is one of the most ancient table wines in the world, it has been produced since the 12th century and is still only in Cyprus. Other obligatory wines in any restaurant are red dry "Othello" and white semi-dry "St.Panteleimon". The brandy "Five Kings" and the orange liqueur "Filfar" stand out as a special taste. Traditional vodka of Cyprus "Zivaniya" has a fortress of 49 degrees and is produced only in the monastery of Kykkosa. More often occurs 45-47 degrees, anisic vodka "Uzo" is also popular. Such gastronomic souvenirs from Cyprus are very popular with tourists and all guests of the country.
The inhabitants of Cyprus are very hospitable and are always happy to tasty all the tourists in the process of a carefree sunny holiday.