We buy a bottle of olives which comes in different sizes, shapes and colors with or without pimentos and wonder how this food became such a big part of Greek food culture. It was easy to preserve olives because Ancient Greece was a large island and there was salt was easily accessible and permitted them to preserve olives easily.

Ancient Greeks used olives as their main food instead of animal because they thought it was unhealthy as it was what the barbarians ate. In reality, the barbarians ate meat and milk products such as cheese because they were nomads and did not have a way of growing olive trees or did not know how to prepare them even if they saw olives. Fish was very expensive and common people had only olives.

Greeks pay a lot of emphasis about sharing a meal with others. The ambiance, the view and the overall spirit is equally important. While olives is an important part of Greek food, honey, yoghurt, fresh fruits and vegetables are other food that compliment Greek diet. The same type of ingredients are prepared in different varieties.

On two special Sundays which is the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and on Palm Sunday, which is celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Church, a favorite dish is battered and fried cod served with garlic spread made out of blended garlic, lemon juice and olive oil.

Greece is well known for gourmet cuisine and friendly people which is a reflection of the ancient history of its culture and the combination of their culture with their neighbors, Turkey, Middle East and the Balkans.

While it is believed that the origins of mayonnaise, is from Greece, combinations with curry is probably influenced because of the conquest of northern India during the era of Alexander. Commonly used herbs in Greece are oregano, thyme, mint, marjoram and ginger.,

Lamb is the main meat served. Lamb is braised for every day meals and stewed in casseroles with vegetable. Beef, pork and game are marinated, grilled and baked. Chicken is also broiled and braised.

Moussake is a casserole dish of layered eggplant or zucchni and a garlic scented meat sauce with a custard topping which is popular in Greece.

Most famous pastry, baklava is delicious multi layered with nuts and honey syrup. Greek pastry shops has a range of fila dough in different fila pastries, which is of Turkish origin.

Feasts and festivals are an important part of Greek life. Commemoration of Saints' which have dedicated days in the year for every saint, name days, weddings and holidays are occasion for merriment with an array of gourmet delights which is combined with folk dancing. Of course, no meal will be complete without the famous Greek coffee.