National cuisine of Cyprus for gourmets. Authentic recipes, delicacies and specialties

The Republic of Cyprus, attracting tourists with its clean beach sand and warm climate is famous for its cuisine, which has mixed and improved the best recipes of Turkish and Greek dishes. A lot of vegetables and fruits growing in the country are used for cooking. Cypriots prefer pork, mutton, often eat chicken. One of the favorite dishes in Cyprus is "Gyros". It is thinly sliced meat, mainly chicken, pork or beef, which is cooked over the fire. Slices are wrapped in pita with onions, mayonnaise, and sometimes yogurt.

Popular "Fasolada" soup was eaten in ancient Greece. It is made from white beans with onions, celery, and tomato paste. Another dish of boiled white beans is called "Fasolia", it can be called the summer version of "Fasolada". Beans are boiled with carrots and potatoes, seasoned with salt and pepper and eaten as a salad with greens and carrots or served with the main course as a side dish. "Gemista" is tomatoes or pumpkins stuffed with rice and seasoned with mint. Cheese or meat can also be added to the dish. Delicious "Strapatsada" is made from whipped eggs with the addition of tomato sauce, garlic, olive oil, and oregano. The dish is necessarily decorated with feta cheese.

In the traditional cuisine of Cyprus, much attention is paid to desserts. Orange cream is prepared using corn flour, which is blended with orange juice and its grated fruits, heavy cream, lemon juice, sugar, and almonds. The dessert is decorated with orange peel. "Loukoumades" is juicy donuts made from fried dough, usually served with honey, ice cream or chocolate. Cypriots like cinnamon buns, pumpkin pie, olive bread cake, rice pudding and "Mahalepi", a creamy dessert from maize flour and rose water. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Walnut and honey cakes, Turkish delight, small pies with syrup, orange cookies, semolina sweets with yogurt are all popular desserts in Cyprus. Locals like beer from local wheat and respect "Modiktiko" wine, as well as "Zivania", a grape alcoholic drink. One of the most popular drinks is hot Brazilian coffee with thick foam. Cold coffee is drunk with or without milk. Other traditional drinks include "Commandaria" dessert wine and “Ouzo”, a muddy strong drink.

During the New Year holidays, everyone eats kids' favorite cake “Vasilopita”, or “Santa's cake”, which hides a coin. BIg “Christmas cakes” with nuts and dried fruit covered with white icing sugar in honor of the winter whiteness, stuffed turkey, egg soup with lemon and sweet "Cristopsomo" bread decorated with patterns also baked for Easter are all traditionally prepared for Christmass. Easter is not complete without sweet crunchy bread with anise and sesame seeds, cinnamon, and milk. On the first day of Lent known as Green Monday people eat "Lagana", an oval flatbread with sesame.

In Cyprus, it is customary to offer guests portion by portion, any refusal is usually perceived as a sign of courtesy and isn't really taken seriously, so guests who can't eat anymore should tell about it directly but politely. At the table, alcohol should be drunk slowly. It's bad manners to keep the hands under the table, lay them behind the head, put elbows on the table or prop head with hand. Guests usually express a willingness to help the owners to clear the table and wash dishes, but the offer should be repeated several times because the hosts will try to refuse out of courtesy.

Cafes and restaurants of the Republic of Cyprus are remarkable for both friendly service and high quality of dishes prepared from fresh ingredients. In cafes and restaurants of Cyprus, tipping is not necessary. Small but cozy “Brew Lab” Cafe in Nicosia is famous for great coffee and delicious bagels. In Paphos, you will find inexpensive "Windmill" restaurant serving local cuisine and homemade wines. "Sigma Bakeries" Cafe in Limassol offers a huge selection of fresh pastries, as well as tea, coffee, soft drinks, and ice cream.