Much of European culture has its origins in Ancient Greece and cooking is no exception. Some of the most famous ingredients used by the Greeks more than 3,000 years ago are still very popular today. Many are "superfoods", named for their enormous nutritional and health benefits.
For example olive oil, which in addition to being the basis of Mediterranean cuisine is very beneficial to the heart by helping to reduce "bad" cholesterol and prevent thrombosis.
There is also oregano, famous as a condiment but also serves against sore throats and to help cure diarrhea or inflammations of the skin.
And honey used not only to sweeten but for a large number of therapies. However, there are other crops originating in Ancient Greece whose benefits are less well known.
Here we tell you about some of these superfoods that are still popular in Greek cuisine and we teach you about its beneficial properties for health and that makes your consumption help to live better.
Sage
Sage is an aromatic plant whose leaves can be used both fresh and dried. It can be used to make sauces or as a spice in many dishes, but in Greece today its most popular use is as a tisane (some call it "Greek tea"). The ancient Greeks used sage - a name that comes from the word "save" - as a poultice, to treat wounds and stings.
This is due to its enormous antiseptic and antibiotic properties, confirmed by modern science. But not only that, sage is also used to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases, to fight the flu and is an antispasmodic. Beyond its medicinal properties, today it is also used for its symbolic value. Some Greeks hang sage leaves from their doors to ward off evil.
Mastic
The mastic is a resin obtained from the tree Pistacia lentiscus, which grows on the island of Chios. It was designated Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2014. The ancient Greeks used tree shoots as an aperitif (meze) and chewed the resin for good breath. Today is used in the manufacture of sweets, biscuits and ice cream. And also in toothpaste, shampoo, perfumes, and incenses.
The medical texts of Ancient Greece had a large number of formulas that included among their ingredients to the mastic, because of their beneficial properties for health. Modern scientific studies confirmed the benefits of this resin, which serves to protect the heart and prevent atherosclerosis. It also lowers cholesterol and blood sugar and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also ideal for lovers because it is an aphrodisiac.
Saffron
Saffron grown in Kozani, northern Greece, is one of the most expensive spices in the world (known as "red gold" for its high value). This plant is strongly linked to Greek history, as it frequently appears in murals and drawings of ancient vessels. It was used as an infusion to combat insomnia and the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Today it is widely used as a spice because of its original aroma and flavor.
Also as a dye. Saffron has many health benefits and is used as an antioxidant and to prevent diseases such as cancer. It contains vitamins, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and lycopene.
Roasted barley biscuits
In the times before the invention of the refrigerator and the chemical preservatives, one had to use the ingenuity to make the bread last as long as possible.
It was thus the roasted biscuits of barley, which in ancient times were called disparities artos or toasted bread twice. Today they remain a classic in Greek pantries. They are made from barley because this crop grows better in Greece than wheat.
But in addition to being rich and practical, they have a great number of nutritional benefits. They keep the digestive system healthy because they are a good source of fiber, in addition to containing vitamin B, potassium, calcium and phosphorus, among others. They also help fight cellulite.
Thorny chicory
It is the characteristic ingredient of the cuisine of Crete, the largest island in Greece. It has a distinctively bitter taste. It is a wild variety of Cichorium Spinosum, a plant that the ancient Greeks used as medicine. It is a good diuretic, can be used as a mild laxative and helps to clear the liver. It is also a good source of iron, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, and E, and it has antioxidants and lots of fiber.
SOURCE: BBC
