GREEK MEZE: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT IS ITS ROLE IN GREEK CULTURE

A Featured Article by Tony

As I was writing this post about meze, trying to present the history, the routes, the flavours, and the mentality of eating and sharing this type of delicacy, I realized that even though the article was informative, it lacked the passion, the joy, and the volume that I feel, not only when I am eating meze, but even when I am thinking of it. Yes, I did my research, including studying books, articles, newspapers, and information online. However, I still wanted to give you that spark that makes my mind and my soul blossom. Before reading all the information in this article, please think of meze not only as food or as a meal, but as a little feast for your mind and your belly. Something material and immaterial at the same time. A bit of tradition, freshness, history, and culture altogether.

Share a meze with a friend, your family, or even with someone you have just met, sitting by themselves at the next table in the taverna. Share the joy of life and the feeling of relaxation and human connection, because in the end, this is what life is all about.

WHAT IS MEZE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GREEKS?

Meze, or mezedes in plural, is the variety and combination of different foods in small portions served in the same dish or in small separate dishes, to mostly accompany the consumption of hard alcohol, like ouzo and tsipouro (Greek raki), or something lighter, such as beer or wine. Greeks, Turks, Balkanians, and other Mediterranean people love meze. Each country has a different name for it, and it’s a significant part of their tradition and history.

During the era of the Ottoman rule, there were no borders between different ethnic groups within the vast Empire. This meant that there were also no culinary borders. That’s why you’ll see some meze in Greece or Turkey that are similar or near identical, except for the name. Different flavours from different regions were influencing each other. At the same time, they kept their own identity by using the local products within their religious traditions. For example, Greeks made meze to eat with alcohol and consumed pork, whereas in Turkey they didn’t because it is not compatible with Islamic teachings. Additionally, Greek Orthodox individuals who observed Lent would prepare vegetarian and vegan meze to adhere to the restrictions.

Meze is important for Greeks because it represents the epitome of hospitality. You treat your guests to something to eat and drink to make them feel comfortable and welcome. This is a small gesture that opens their heart and provides a bridge for the warmth of human connection. Its main purpose is to bring people together. To connect or reconnect with each other, and most importantly, with ourselves. To make old friendships stronger or to assist in creating new friendships. The culture of meze means happy, smiling faces at the table, talking about everything or nothing at the same time.

IS ALCOHOL ALWAYS INVOLVED?

If you don’t drink alcohol – no worries! There is no absolute rule for having fun while eating! You can have any beverage you want!

Alcohol has been in the Greek DNA for thousands of years, and mezedes are that salty thing that you need to continue to enjoy drinking without being drunk on an empty stomach. That’s why meze isn’t necessarily a proper meal, but a side dish. First, it pleases your heart, and next, it satisfies your hunger.

WHERE CAN I TRY MEZE IN GREECE?

In Greece, there are a vast number of establishments known for their meze specialities. These are called Ouzeri, Tsipouradiko, or Kafenio, and they serve their delicious delicacies along with the best quality spirits that local distilleries have to offer. From the most central spots to the smallest alleys and streets, these places provide a cozy, friendly, and relaxed environment for all ages and generations. Accompanied by the sounds of old-school Greek music, enchanted by the overwhelming aromas coming from the kitchen, and being a little tipsy, the past becomes the present, regulars and guests become friends, and rich and poor become equal. Meze recipes and culture are mostly simple. Just as life should be.

HOW TO SERVE THE PERFECT MEZE

There is no secret or strict recipe for your meze! Meze can be fancy, but it can also be very simple. You can spend time cooking, improvising, or even inventing a combination of flavours and ingredients together. There are some meze that require more time for cooking. However, many don’t need much preparation, such as a tomato cut into four or six pieces, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, oregano, and salt, plus a few small pieces of cheese, a few olives, and a can of smoked mackerel, herring, or sardines and voilà! Don’t forget to cut some large pieces of bread to dip into the sauces and oils. With little effort, you have just made a simple and delicious meze platter.

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF MEZE DISHES?

There are some great meat, fish, vegetarian and even vegan options of meze. These can be served separately or also share the same dish.

Meat meze:

• Meatballs fried
• Grilled sausage (Greek villager type)
• Cooked pieces of pork, chicken, or beef
• Pastourmas (Dried beef or camel meat)
• Sountzouki (Sucuk, spicy sausage)
• Spetsofai (cooked sausage with tomato sauce, peppers and spices)
• Any type of salami, cut into small pieces
• Any type of grilled meat, cut into small pieces

Seafood meze:

• Fried calamari rings
• Fried shrimp or crawfish
• Anchovies, fried, canned, or cured and marinated in vinegar
• Grilled sardines
• Octopus, grilled or cooked in wine or vinegar
• Mackerel, canned
• Skipjack tuna, cured and marinated

Vegetarian or Vegan meze:

• Gigades (baked lima beans in tomato sauce)
• Olives
• Tomato or cucumber with some oregano
• French fries or roasted potatoes
• Feta or graviera cheese
• Dolmades (grape vine leaves stuffed with seasoned rice)
• Fried slices of zucchini or eggplant
• Tyrokafteri (spicy cheese dip)
• Kolokithokeftedes (fried zucchini fritters)
• Domatokeftedes (fried tomato fritters)
• Pickled vegetables

HOW TO ENJOY THE MEZE EXPERIENCE

As explained, meze isn’t just about food, but it represents a certain way of living, thinking, and acting. It symbolizes a way of life that takes us back in time to when life was slower, with less fast-paced stress and anxiety. When people had the privilege to pause everything they were doing to go to the cafeteria (kafenio) of the village and enjoy the moment. For a while, nothing was more important than the sweet taste of a small piece of cheese or the savoury flavour of an olive combined with some locally produced alcohol. Even nowadays, with the constraints of modern life and lack of peace and time for ourselves, meze mentality presents itself as a culinary escape.

Of course, you can enjoy a glass of ouzo with meze by yourself. It can be a part of reflection and solitude. Still, ideally, it’s always nice to be with good friends, living in the moment, and sharing the experience of good quality alcohol and amazing flavours. So don’t be shy. Call some friends over to join you, put on some music, and sing together! Be loud, be funny! Be the best of you! And enjoy this historical tradition that has brought moments of joy to countless generations.

If you have enjoyed meze before or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments. We’d love to hear about your experiences with meze and are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Smile and Enjoy!