Traditional Products

OUZO-TSIPOURO
Ouzo is made in a traditional way and exclusively in Greece; it belongs to the general category of the anis that is of the alcoholic drinks with a scent of anisos (anitholi). It is a product of marcs distillation and other saccharoid raw materials, which have been scented with seeds of anisos and maybe fennel, mastic of Hios, and other aromatic seeds, plants or fruits. Ouzo, for the distillation of which they use a special distillation machine (amvikas), can not be submitted to an aging process and it is drunk straight or with some water É- the so called emulsion which is created in this case and it is related to the conciseness of ouzo antholi, its alcoholic title, to the quantity of water and to its temperature.

Tsipouro on the other hand, is the clear product of the marcs distillation, which means that it is not submitted to any scenting process. The variety and the fermentation procedures of the grapes, the distillation way, the analogy of ingredients are the determinative factors during the production procedure. Tsipouro is colorless, and has a very high degree of alcohol, that is why it is often drunk with water and always with some snacks, which traditionally have the following order: light salads, sour (pickles), various dry-salted (sea rover, anchovies, e.t.c), fish, crawfishes, shrimps, rarebit, e.t.c.

Many are the habitants of Halkidiki who produce their tsipouro either for sale but mostly for domestic use.

CHEESE PRODUCTS
The climate and edaphic conditions, the flora of Halkidiki and the powerful tradition in cattle breeding result in the production of high quality products. The goatish traditional cheese of Halkidiki, is produced from pure goatish milk and has an increased content of protein. In Holomontas mountain most of the cattle-breeding units are located because the mountain has such special elements in its climate and ground that contribute to the favorable synthesis of the goatish milk to the cheese production. With respect to tradition, the cattle breeders of Halkidiki produce significant quantities of goatish cheese. The high quality and the various organic characteristics make it necessary for the proper and hygiene nutrition.

Production areas: Central and South Halkidiki

HONEY
Halkidiki is the mother of beekeeping. Over 6,500 beekeepers (32% of the countrys total) and 1.910 tons of honey production of best quality annual is sufficient to characterize Halkidiki as the center of beekeeping in Greece. Aristotle 2.300 years ago praised the honey and its benefits to man by saying that honey prolongs life. Today the beekeepers of Halkidiki keep to the tradition and exploit the rich fauna of Kassandra, Sithonia and North Halkidiki, in the most pure way by producing great quantities of honey. The great quantities of trace elements found in the honey, make it of a high nutritional value.

Production areas: Nikiti, Kassandra and Arnaia

MARMALADES SWEETS
A great variety of fruits of excellent quality are being cultivated all around Halkidiki, without the use of fertilizers. These tasteful fruits are the raw material for the production of the well-known marmalades and of the special deserts the women of Halkidiki make with an exceptional skill. Their high quality, their special taste and the respect of the producers to the tradition have established them in the Greek and foreign market. The traditional marmalades and the deserts of Halkidiki, make breakfast a unique tasteful delight for everyone.

WEAVINGS
Women weavers of the Prefecture of Halkidiki manufacture all the traditional weavings on the ancient wooden loom. These folkloric handmade works of art are elaborated with care and sensibility and meet with the finest specifications of durability, stability form and inedible colors. The quality, the variety of designs and colors make the weavings of Halkidiki unique while at the same time contribute substantially to the preservation of the tradition and economy of the Prefecture. The beautiful, warm atmosphere their presence creates represents the warmhearted and friendly mood of the regions residents from the ancient years up today.

Production area: Arnaia

PAINTING IN WOOD
Halkidiki has many intense color changes, the green environment, the beautiful blue of the sea and the blue sky, thus all these are an inspiration source for all the painters who live and work in this blessed place. The work of the painters presents images from every day life and very often prints the Garden of the Virgin Mary, the amazing Mount Athos. The intense traditional elements of these works of art aim at portraying the efforts for a creative life exhale though optimism and inspire love for the nature and for the glory of life.

FOREST PRODUCTS
The forest of the Prefecture of Halkidiki, apart of being an important source of life for the residents and the visitors, consist of a raw material for the manufacturing wood industries. Oak, beech, chestnut, evergreen and pine compose the image of Halkidikis forests. This wood is being processed to the manufacturing wood units and their products, wooden constructions, furniture, cavities, floor, roofs, pavilions, constructing wood, wood for boats, e.t.c in combination with the craftsman care, are distinct for their high quality, durability and originality. The combustible material is still manufactured in the traditional way of kiln and thus many locals and foreigners monitor the process with great interest.

POTTERY
The original creativity and artistic completeness of the pottery in Halkidiki is incomparable. The vessels that are being manufactured are elegant, unique to their kind and with different decorations where they portray flowers, fishes, shells, geometric shapes, mythological representations, e.t.c. Their coloring is vivid, exceptionally resistant and sometimes is covered by enamel. Their line is light and elegant. The variety of the shapes and their quality is remarkable. The artists of Halkidiki usually work without any organized establishments but with a special handicraft by using the traditional method of the wheel or forming block.

PASTRIES
In the traditional but also up to date bakeries of Halkidiki, unique bread products and pastries are being produced. The hard wheat, which is being cultivated in great areas in Halkidiki and is rich in proteins, amino acids, vitamins and rich acids, is used as the raw material and the traditional recipes which pass onto by generation to generation convert it into delicious pastries. The high nutritional value of the raw materials and the respect to tradition make the pastries of Halkidiki famous to all its visitors.