Honey and bees

Honey in Greek cuisine

Honey is one of the most typical ingredients in traditional Greek cooking. It has been employed to enrich dozens of dishes with sweetness and aroma. At celebrations and other events honey was served either on its own or made into pastries to symbolise fertility and well-being. Honey with walnuts as well as `pastelia` (a sesame bar with honey and nuts) are offered at weddings to the newly-weds and guests.

In contemporary cooking and pastry-making honey can inspire an unbelievable variety of creative dishes. It is used in cakes, biscuits and other desserts. It is easily spread on toast or fresh bread and enhances herb beverages. It dissolves in warm milk and yoghurt and is considered ideal for desserts based on dairy products.

It can be used as the main ingredient in any number of sauces, dressings and marinades.Of course, for the simplest and easiest of treats, it can be poured over a bowl of yoghurt and fruit.