Local products of Heraklion

Discover the local products of Heraklion!

Products of Heraklion are famous for their nutritional value and excellent quality. The region boasts plenty of exceptional goods, with the most renowned being olives and olive oil. The famous throuba olives that are produced there, with the help of the fungus Phomaoleae, have a distinct, sweet flavor. The exquisite virgin olive oil of Heraklion is made in modern facilities and is not only the magic ingredient of the Cretan diet but also the secret to good health and longevity.

Heraklion is a region rich in fruits, with the most prominent being grapes. The area boasts a selection of savory grape varieties, such as Perlet, Superior, and Soultanina from which we get delicious raisins. Other tasty fresh fruits you can find in Heraklion include pears, cherries, peaches, and apricots.

Heraklion, just like the rest of Crete, is renowned for its love for spirits. A variety of high-quality alcoholic drinks is produced there, including a great selection of wines and the local tsikoudia. The red wines Kotsifali, Mantilaria, Liatiko, Lathikino, Syrah, and Carignan are famous for their exquisite flavor. We should also mention rose wines like Kotsifali, Mantilaria, Liatiko, Lathikino, Syrah, and Carignan, and white wines such as Vilana, Athiri, Thrapsathiri, Sylvaner, and Sauvignon. No matter your preference, a glass of local wine in Heraklion is a must!

The local sheep and goat breeds in Heraklion consume a variety of nutritious flora and are nourished in a very prosperous climate. As a result, the meat produced in the area is very high-quality, healthy, and tasty. Pork meat is also distinct in the region, with excellent sausages and other products such as apaki (smoked pork meat) and tsiladia or pichti (boiled pork meat from the head and the legs of the pig).
We cannot discuss Heraklion products without mentioning cheese, produced from goat and sheep milk. It is a common accompaniment to wine or locally produced tsipouro at any time of the day and can also be served in other ways, as a dessert or appetizer. Anthotiro and kefalotiri are the most renowned cheeses produced in the region. Other examples are the delicious graviera and the tasty mizithra with its rich aroma.

Heraklion is blessed with wonderful natural wealth, and many products used extensively in daily life can be found in the region. Aromatic herbs are widely produced there, including sagebrush, oregano, chamomile, basil, mint, rosemary, daphne, marjoram, and thyme. In fact, the thyme honey made in the area is famous for its purity and high nutritional value. Last but not least, snails, or chochlioi, are an essential Cretan product that can also be found in Heraklion and are an integral element of the local cuisine.

All the aforementioned products are widely credited for their significant health benefits.