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Best Starters In Ayia Napa - What Will Give The Classic Cypriot Taste?

JUL 17, 2019

Cyprus and Greece are well known for delivering full experiences with their food. This can range from the variety over three courses right through to the meze, which is the ultimate dining/tasting experience. One of the keys to Greek Cypriot cuisine are the starters. This is a guide to the best starters in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, to give you the perfect culinary experience.

Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a cold, refreshing starter that has numerous forms across the globe, from Indian Raita or Arabic Tarator. It is a dip based around a salted and strained yoghurt with a number of added ingredients. In Cypriot cuisine the yoghurt is prepared and mixed with cucumber, salt, olive oil and lemon juice. It is best served with warm breads, such as pitas, and acts as a refreshing palette cleanser to start your meal.

Hummus/Houmous/Hummous (and more…)

Hummus originates from the Levant region of the Middle East. The word “hummus” literally means chickpeas, from which it is made. A typical hummus is served at room temperature and is also made for dipping with warm breads. However, this has evolved and is commonly found at house parties along with celery and carrot sticks for a refreshing, taste packed dip. A Greek hummus is made of a blend of chickpeas, olive oil, garlic and tahini. It is best eaten with warm pita and will give your mouth an explosion of taste at the beginning of your meal.

Tahini

Tahini is one of the base ingredients of Hummus but also acts as a starter on its own. It is a favourite amongst many Mediterranean communities and is a staple of the Cypriot Greeks. It also hails from the Middle East. It is made from the separation of a sesame seed’s bran and kernel. The sesame kernels are toasted to produce and oily paste. Because of its toasty flavour, tahini is now used as a base for many food items, such as cakes, doughnuts, even milkshakes. In Greek food, it is used as a dip and can be served with lemon and garlic. This is flavour packed and a great way to start a meal.

Greek Salad

The Greek salad is as authentic as it comes. The Mediterranean serves as a haven of perfect conditions for all of the vegetables within the salad and is why it is so flavourful. A classic Greek salad will consist of lettuce, olives, tomatoes, onion, feta cheese and herbs. It will be coated in olive oil and lemon juice and can be served on its own or with a dressing. The Cypriot Greeks tend to take thicker bread to soak up the juice in the bottom of the dish as a treat.

Olives

This may seem like a simple choice but the humble olive represents the heritage of the Cypriots perfectly. This is a fruit that grows perfectly in the Cypriot climate and offers its diners a sweet, sour and salty experience in a single bite. The crushing of the fruits also leads to the production of olive oil which is now a worldwide staple. Olives are a great palette cleanser to start a meal or to have besides a chilled drink. These are best eaten in full sunshine, by the sea and in mass.