Traditional Products of Corfu

• Corfu is full of olive trees. There are estimates that the number of the trees reach three million in total. Many of them are ancient trees dating of up to 400 years old. One recommended spot to buy extra virgin olive oil is Mavroudis in Vraganiotika, (+30) 26610 76759, Moraitika.

• Kumquat is considered the trademark of Corfu island. The fruit of kumquat has small size but generally resembles of the orange in color and texture. It has sweet and tangy taste and usually it is not eaten raw. Kumquats are used for a range of products such as jams, liqueurs and sweets. Apart from the number of culinary uses, they are also used in beauty products such as cosmetics and toiletries. In Corfu, you can easily find kumquat-based products at most touristic shops.

•Since antiquity, the climate of Corfu favors the production of excellent quality wine which is famous internationally. There is a range of local varieties such as kakotrygis (white), Petrokorytho and Skopelitiko (red).

• The tradition of ginger ale dates back to the British rule on the island of Corfu. The drink is known as tsitsimbira among the locals. Chistopher Cheimarios and his family has adopted a British recipe to produce ginger beer which have remained unaltered since 1920.

• Corfu has a long history of apiary because of the wide biodiversity of flora, characteristic of the Mediterranean climate. There are several beekeepers on the island who produce excellent quality honey and other products.

• Noumboulo Foumikado is a traditional Corfiot dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked. It is made of pork meat which is marinated in local seasonings and wine. It matures naturally and has a slightly smoked taste by hanging over burning aromatic branches of Mediterranean herbs.

• You can find a wide selection of traditional Corfiot products for your breakfast such as bread, butter and several varieties of jams. Kumquat jam is the most widely known but you can also find bergamot, orange, apple, pear, plum, figs and berries jams and marmelades.

• Mandola is a characteristic sweet in the Ionian islands made of caramelized almonds or other nuts, sugar and sometimes sesame. Their name originates form the Italian word 'mandorla' which means almond.

• There is a variety of natural cosmetics which is based of traditional Corfu products such as olive oil, herbs, fruit and various bee products. They are naturally produced without any additional chemical substitutes. You can find a range of olive oil soaps, shampoo, face cream, eye cream, feet and hand creams and various shower gels and body perfumes.

• The art of hand crafted items and furniture dates many centuries back in Corfu. According to Homer, the olive tree was sacred; Odysseus made a bridal bed out of olive tree wood and Polyphemus his bat. Olive wood is carefully crafted traditional items with a unique feel and creative flair.