Place Essentialism

Stereotypes of Greek Food

When one thinks of Greek food, they often think of a taco-shaped item with meat filling; souvlaki, or a wrap made of vegetables, sauces and meat; gyros. While it is true that these items are part of the famous Greek cuisine, they are not a complete picture of what the country has to offer. Greek cuisine is spread across a large range of items that differ from region to region as one moves through the country. For example, some islands are known for their seafood, others for salad and even stews! 

Souvlaki. Image Source.

Gyros. Image Source.
The generalisation of a country's cuisine or any other cultural aspect, whether good or bad, leads to a restrictive idea of the place's local population. It creates a gap between the local people's actual identities and the identity that outsiders lay over them. It is important to conduct proper research about a place and its people before forming a concrete opinion about it. Without such an approach, a chain of stereotypes may form, over time pressurising individuals to act as per their cliché and in the process feel disconnected from their real culture.

To break Greece's food stereotype, below are mentioned a few lesser known Greek food items. Later, you can explore the remaining items on your visit to the country😉. 

The most well-known cheese from the Hellenic Republic is feta. Nevertheless, there are more interesting cheeses to look out for. For example, a cheese named Metsovone exists. It is known for being salty and spicy and is often paired with dishes like pizzas. Another cheese to look at is Kasseri, which leaves a tangy taste.

Metsovone Cheese. Image Source.
Apart from cheese, a look at seafood and stews could change perspective on Greek cuisine more drastically. One can look at Bourdeto as inspiration for a fish stew. The dish usually uses scorpion fish and is known for an explosion of flavours. Another item is Mydia, which uses mussels as its seafood base and gives a pleasant Mediterranean feel when eaten with crispy bread.

Bourdeto. Image Source.

Mydia. Image Source.
The information provided here should help start breaking stereotypes. However, to truly appreciate the culture and take this a step further, it is important to document this unique cuisine on your visit and spread the word personally and through modern social media channels.


References:

  


Location: Greece

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