What is the best part of a Greek meal?
Now, anyone who’s ever had a proper one knows that asking this is like asking someone to pick their favorite child…if they all suddenly started saying kalimera and developed an affinity for tzatziki.
But here’s the thing. A traditional Greek meal is full of surprises, and there’s a sweet one that often awaits at the end, even if you didn’t order it!
So, as we round off our series of bite-sized forays into Greek cuisine, our host, Greece by Travelive’s Director of Sales, Kostas Sourvanos, is bringing us the ultimate Greek taverna surprise, one that’s best enjoyed alongside your first cup of Greek coffee!
If we made a list of the things that Greeks can’t live without, coffee is probably right up there alongside olive oil, the sea, and even ouzo (see our previous episodes for more details).
For Greeks, coffee is a way of life. And nothing embodies it more than traditional Greek coffee. And when we say “traditional” we mean pure and unfiltered; the kind that every Greek babas (dad) slow-brews at the crack of dawn, armed with nothing but a briki and the spirit of Greece.
And what could go better with that than a slice of something sweet?
Well, in a traditional Greek taverna, you often don’t even have to ask for it. As the meal draws to a close, a small plate may arrive at the table; a little something on the house. And if you’re particularly lucky, it’s halva: a semolina-based dessert.
Together, they form the perfect ending to a traditional Greek meal, and today, the sweet finale to the flavorful journey Kostas has taken us on.
What You Didn’t Order
- Semolina Halva – A comforting, aromatic dessert crafted from semolina, olive oil, and sugar, often enriched with cinnamon, citrus, and nuts for a delicately spiced, nutty finish.
Perfect With:
- Greek Coffee (Ellinikós Kafés) – A slow-brewed, unfiltered coffee prepared in a traditional briki, delivering a rich, full-bodied profile rooted in a centuries-old ritual meant to be savored.
Missed the other Greece in 60 Seconds episodes? No worries! Just click below to catch up.