CHIOS
Chios is a welcoming island all year round as it will offer you a world of images, colours, tastes and aromas!
The mild Mediterranean climate in combination with the island’s rich soil yields quality products, such as savoury mandarins, and the famous mastic, that are used to create some unique local dishes and spirits like ouzo and other liquors, as well as spoon sweets. The island boasts several beautiful medieval villages and the lovely Chios town with its impressive Venetian and Ottoman architecture. Let’s travel to this magical island and discover them all.
Chios Flavours
Offer your taste buds a special treat!
Chios is a welcoming island all year round as it will offer you a world of images, colours, tastes and aromas!The mild Mediterranean climate in combination with the island’s rich soil yields quality products, such as savoury mandarins, and the famous mastic, that are used to create some unique local dishes and spirits like ouzo and other liquors, as well as spoon sweets. The island boasts several beautiful medieval villages and the lovely Chios town with its impressive Venetian and Ottoman architecture. Let’s travel to this magical island and discover them all.
Mastic: The Queen of Chios Island
A unique treasure that is cultivated only in this part of the world, the mastic tree offers us its precious teardrops! You can enjoy it in different forms:
- as ypovrychio -meaning submarine- which is a heaped spoonful of mastic immersed in a glass of cold water,
- in liquor or ouzo making,
- in cookies and other sweets and
- in chewing gums!
Did you know? The technique used to harvest mastic is called kendos (meaning embroidering). In order to collect the mastic drops, the locals make slight incisions on the bark of the tree with a special tool called kentitiri.
- as ypovrychio -meaning submarine- which is a heaped spoonful of mastic immersed in a glass of cold water,
- in liquor or ouzo making,
- in cookies and other sweets and
- in chewing gums!
Did you know? The technique used to harvest mastic is called kendos (meaning embroidering). In order to collect the mastic drops, the locals make slight incisions on the bark of the tree with a special tool called kentitiri.
The Flavourful Citrus Fruits
Chios is famous for the unique taste, quality and characteristics of its citrus fruits, mostly juicy oranges and mandarins. The latter are among the finest varieties in the world and have been registered as a PDO product, thanks to their intense aromatic tender flesh and sweet flavour. Savour the fresh juice, mouthwatering fruit salads or the delicious spoon sweets made with Chios’ citrus varieties! Make sure you also taste the local, very fragrant lemon flower spoon sweet.
Did you know? Citrus fruits are also used in the distillation of essential oils. The factories offer the peels of the fruit (considered as top quality fodder) to farmers for feeding their cattle.
Did you know? Citrus fruits are also used in the distillation of essential oils. The factories offer the peels of the fruit (considered as top quality fodder) to farmers for feeding their cattle.
Drinks
Ariousios Oinos is a top quality red wine, produced since antiquity, as it was considered the nectar of the Gods. There is a large variety of liquors to try on Chios Island such as souma, made from figs, and ouzo flavoured with anise, coriander, fennel, lemon flowers or mastic.
Did you know? Chios has its own fresh blonde beer with orange highlights, a round fruity flavour, and discreet bitterness with the aromas of hops and citrus standing out! It is made in Kampos from a selected variety of malt and whole hops cones, and it is unpasteurized and unfiltered.
Did you know? Chios has its own fresh blonde beer with orange highlights, a round fruity flavour, and discreet bitterness with the aromas of hops and citrus standing out! It is made in Kampos from a selected variety of malt and whole hops cones, and it is unpasteurized and unfiltered.
Autumn: hunting for mushrooms
If you happen to be on Chios Island when the first autumn rains fall, you can come across amanites (a type of mushroom), that grow on the northern part of the island. You can take part in a mushroom hunt or buy them in local groceries. Accompany your ouzo with fried or grilled amanites and you’ll thank us for the tip!
Did you know? Amanites grow under pine trees alone or in groups of 2-3!
Did you know? Amanites grow under pine trees alone or in groups of 2-3!
White Cheese
Taste the excellent quality white Chios cheese with its soft texture; milky and slightly salty flavour which is due to its short stay in brine. Try it grilled or raw in fresh salads or traditional pasta.
Did you know? Enjoy the local white cheese as a side dish with your meal or grated on pizza or in pies!
Did you know? Enjoy the local white cheese as a side dish with your meal or grated on pizza or in pies!
Pasta
The local cuisine includes several types of pasta, which are equally enjoyed on their own or as a side dish to meat or seafood. Try fytilaki (a short type of pasta) the tagliatelle with mastic flavour, and the traditional spartos pasta.
Did you know? The striftaria pasta with mushrooms from Chios is a perfect match for white meat or seafood.
Did you know? The striftaria pasta with mushrooms from Chios is a perfect match for white meat or seafood.
