The history of the Cretan diet is very old; its roots lie deep in the Neolithic Age. Today science has no proof but only circumstantial evidence of the dietary habits of Cretans 5,000 years ago. However, a more clear picture of those habits emerges from as far back as 4,000 years ago, when the Minoan civilization was at its peak. On the basis of archaeological findings, it seems that ancient Cretans, the Minoans, consumed pretty much the same products that are being consumed by modern Cretans today.

Large clay jars (pithoi) were found in Minoan palaces that were used for the storage of olive oil, grain, legumes, and honey. In various pictorial representations we can also see the magnificent world of Cretan plants and herbs. Century after century, the Cretan cuisine accumulated the wisdom and experience of generations. Athenaeus, a Greek author of the Roman era, informs us of two extraordinary, elaborate recipes for sweets that were made in ancient Crete from grape-juice syrup and honey, dry fruit, sesame and poppy seeds. During the Byzantine period, the Cretans remained faithful to their dietary legacy and cooking habits. On the one hand, urban families were keen on preparing elaborate meals distinguished for their exceptional taste. On the other hand, the rural population subsisted strictly on products grown: greens, fruit, legumes, olives and olive oil.

Late Cretans, however, applied their accumulated knowledge and imagination to these lowly products producing delicious results. This practice sustained Cretans through adverse times, in periods of successive occupation by the Arabs (824-961), the Venetians (1204-1669) and the Turks (1669-1898). A turning point in the Cretan diet occurred with the introduction of new crops, particularly of the tomato, from the New World. This added another string to the bow of Cretan vegetable products. The conquerors came and went from Crete, but the Cretan spirit, religion, language and cuisine remained unchanged over the centuries! This unbreakable chain of tradition proves invaluable today since the Cretan cuisine is highly regarded by the scientific community, while experts speak of the miracle of the Cretan diet! For Cretans, the secret of longevity is very simple.

They eat anything that their rich soil produces! They consume a lot of fruit, vegetables, greens, fresh produce, legumes, cheese and bread. Cretans use herbs to add flavour to their meals; they make sweets/cakes with natural sweeteners, honey and grape-juice syrup; while the excellent Cretan wine is an indispensable accompaniment to their meals. Cretans are not avid meat eaters or, rather, they did not consume much meat until a few decades ago. Meat has always had a ritual character in Crete. In antiquity, Cretans consumed only the meat offered to the gods on the altar of sacrifice. Until a few decades ago, they consumed meat only a few times a year, i. e. during festivities or, if wealthy enough, every Sunday. In other words, the dietary code of Cretans has deep cultural and historical roots. This, however, should not be considered as a limiting, or even a coercive practice that could undermine the richness of taste. On the contrary, the ingenuity of Cretans exploited fully the entire spectrum of ingredient combinations, which resulted in volumes of recipes for meals and deserts. Snails, for example, are cooked in 40 different ways! Fresh produce grown under the most suitable climatic conditions has a prominent place on dinner tables.

Cretans do not require doctor's orders to consume large amounts of fruit and vegetables. Grapes, raisins, oranges, etc. are a way of life. Even on days strictly associated with meat-eating, such as the Easter Day, Cretans do not eat only meat. On the contrary, they cook meat with artichokes, wild greens or vegetables -- a delicious choice! Cretan producers and local processing, packaging, and marketing companies warrant that all Cretan products are pure, without chemical substances or other preservatives and additives.

Cretan products, being part of an age-old tradition, are treated with the same respect as that afforded to them by our ancestors.