Off on a tour to Greece this fall and have at least two days in Athens
and one in Turkey. Any suggestions on what spices and/or oils that I
can't get here in Toronto would be awesome.......

wrote:

> Off on a tour to Greece this fall and have at least two days in Athens
> and one in Turkey. Any suggestions on what spices and/or oils that I
> can't get here in Toronto would be awesome.......

When in Turkey try your best to find a local friend and head for the market
with saffron in your mind. You'll need a local friend because he/she will be
able to tell if you're buying real saffron or pro-tourist crap, as many ppl
I know have bougth. In many cases the Turkey-bougth saffron was even worse
than the one you can find in any supermarket in EU or USA. Only one person
bougth real saffron which I'll remember for years to come, and she and her
family went to the market with a friend shw knew years before at an
university in Germany.
--
Vilco
Mai guardare Trailer park Boys senza
qualcosa da bere a portata di mano

" > wrote in message
...
> Off on a tour to Greece this fall and have at least two days in Athens
> and one in Turkey. Any suggestions on what spices and/or oils that I
> can't get here in Toronto would be awesome.......

None. There are no Greek spices (none exist), they import all spices same
as most of the world does. There are some Greek herbs, but those are
readily available throughout North America. Greece produces olive oil but
so do many countries, and in fact there are California olive oils that are
just as good as any produced anywhere on the planet, and better than most.
I really don't think there is anything Greek (and Greek style) that is
better in Greece. Have a good visit, don't consume too much ouzo, and be
wary of sexually transmited disease, Greece is almost as notorious for
filthy prostitution as Italy.

"brooklyn1" > wrote


> None. There are no Greek spices (none exist), they import all spices same
> as most of the world does.



It seems that someone forgot to tell the Greeks that they do not produce
spices.

http://www.in2greece.com/greekfood/?page_id=7
"Spices from Greece like sesame; white sesame; Machlepi; and Cumin are also
highly thought of by renowned international chefs and the most valuable and
expensive spice, red saffron, is cultivated in Greece.
Thus, the number of herbs and spice-producing plants that grow naturally in
Greece is quite impressive. "

http://www.krinos.com/articles/spices.pdf
"Many prized spices, suchas anise seed, masticha, and redpepper, are native
to Greece. as anise seed, masticha, and red pepper, are native to Greece."

http://www.greekproducts.com/saffron.html
"Greek red saffron or "Crocus", a pure product of the Greek agriculture, is
considered the best in the world.
A precious spice, adds an exquisite flavor and color to food and drinks."

http://www.epikouria.com/issue3/article1-red.php
"Modern Greek Red Saffron
After the fall of the Minoan Civilization some 3500 years ago, saffron
production all but disappeared from what is now Greece. This changed roughly
300 years ago when Greek Macedonian traders brought the plant from Austria.
They proceeded to plant it in the Greek Macedonian region of Kozani. Today
all production of what is known as the Greek Red Crocus cultivar is produced
in this region by the Cooperative of Saffron Producers of Kozani. The base
of their operations is, aptly enough, the town of Krokus.

This cooperative counts 2000 members spread between 40 small villages.
Annual production, depending on weather conditions, ranges from 6 to 12 tons
of pure red saffron each year. Much of this production is certified organic.
All of it is Protected Designation of Origin (PDO); no other region of
Greece can produce Greek Red Saffron. It is also extremely high-quality."


George L.

wrote:
> Off on a tour to Greece this fall and have at least two days in Athens
> and one in Turkey. Any suggestions on what spices and/or oils that I
> can't get here in Toronto would be awesome.......
>

If you find any spices while you are in Greece or Turkey, you are
allowed to bring them home. You can not bring back fruit, vegetables or
plants, but you can bring back canned or processed food. Have a
wonderful time, please come back and tell us what you found.


Becca