When it comes to fruit, Greece has among the best fruit anywhere on the globe with an assortment of fresh fruits that is second to none, particularly during the summer.
Fruit, full of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, not only helps to detoxify the body, but it also contains a large amount of water, helping to keep yourself cool and hydrated—something which is ultra important in the sultry heat of the summertime in Greece.
While fruit is a staple of the summertime diet in Greece, it is also enjoyed all year round, as the country produces bountiful harvests of a variety of fruits throughout the year.
Fruit often served as dessert in Greece
Watermelon is a staple dessert for many Greek tavernas and restaurants with many of them serving the delectable fruit as a gesture of hospitality. Oftentimes, truth be told, that is all you could possibly eat after indulging in a fabulous Greek dinner at a seaside taverna.
Many beach goers in Greece will bring watermelon to the shore to be able to enjoy its sweetness there. Most watermelonin Greece is produced mainly in the western Peloponnesian peninsula.
An equally popular fruit is melon or cantaloupe, which is a rich, peachy gold in color and equally sweet in both taste and aroma.
Smaller types of fruit, such as apricots, peaches, nectarines, and cherries, are delicious fruits that can be found in growing during the summertime across many regions of the country.
Just like watermelon, these smaller fruits can be the perfect portable afternoon snack. They are also more commonly found and incorporated into various desserts and sweets in Greece.
The fresh peach juice in Greece is like no other anywhere and simply must be tasted to be believed.
During late August and early September, figs and grapes are a common delicacy across Greece and its many islands with many trees draping their heavy-laden branches along roadsides.
These fruits are very accessible to everyone, as they often grow in the wild and are easy to pick during strolls in the countryside for one to taste for their own enjoyment.
Grapes have, of course, been harvested for many thousands of years in Greece’s village vineyards, used in their raw form or for wine-making and as the base for Tsipouro, a liquer.
Despite being known for its stellar summer fruits, Greece certainly doesn’t lack for those which ripen during the fall and winter time. Oranges, mandarins, kiwis, and lemons are some of the most famous citrus fruits that are produced in the Peloponnese, Laconia, and Crete.