A Unique Cultural Practice: Mediterranean Diet | Greece

Growing up in an Urban City, I've had my fair share of wonderful meals. From the best French restaurant Petit Loui to the Birria Tacos at Papi's I've been privileged to taste many interpretations of cultural foods. Despite my venture nothin quite compares to the introduction of Greek food in my life. 

When browsing the UN Book on Intangible Cultural Heritage Worthy of Preserving I was excited at the opportunity to try new foods. When I noticed that they focused on the cultural history of Mediterranean foods in Greece, I could not have been more excited. 

The Mediterranean diet truly takes "eat the rainbow" to the next level. Not becoming widely known and followed until the 1990's the diet emphasizes the consumption of fresh and clean foods such as vegetables, fruit and fish. Its very uncommon for dairy, red meat, poultry and eggs to be eaten regularly.  Lastly, the diet often is linked to bette raging patterns, long life spans and a healthy lifestyle. It's also widely claimed to support the prevention of cardiovascular issues and maintaining a healthy body weight.

After reading about this incredible diet I went to a dear friend of my - Angelica who's family owns an authentic greek restaurant in Baltimore city, to taste what everyone's talking about. Called Cypriana, the restaurant serves family recipes from their Cyprus heritage and upbringing. 

Their menu includes extravagant dishes like Bronzini, Octopus, Greek salads, Gyros, Falafel, mussels and freshly baked pita bread. Upon arrival I was fully embraced by their greek culture with open arms from her parents and brother. 

On my table: 

Octopus 

Cyprus Fries

Pita bread and hummus (with the most delicious olive oil) 

Keoftedes 

Greek Salad

Moussakka 

Galatoboroko 

The food was nothing short of incredible but the atmosphere and open arms I was welcome with were even better. i felt like a part of their large greek family and was able to experience their family speaking in greek around the restaurant. It was truly a great experience in which I got to see what their food means to their family and how its impacted their lives. Angelica described the restaurant as hard in some ways but she wouldn't change the days she spend with her family in and around the restaurant sharing the food from their country. 

Sources: 

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/mediterranean-diet/#:~:text=Bottom%20Line,also%20support%20healthy%20weight%20loss.

UN Book on Intangible Cultural Heritage Worthy of Preserving