Crete, the famous island of Greece, a storied place. With an enviable geographical location and unique climatic and morphological characteristics, has been rightly called "jewel of the Mediterranean." The island where the first European civilization flourished, the Minoan.
Birthplace of very important people as Doménikos Theotokópoulos, known as El Greco, Nikos Kazantzakis, Eleftherios Venizelos and many others who, through their work, left an indelible mark. According to mythology, Crete is the birthplace of Zeus, king of Gods in ancient Greece.
The particular geographical position of Crete played a major role in shaping the island's cultural character. Situated between three continents, Crete received influences from West and East, while maintaining a cultural tradition similar to that of the Aegean Sea. This is proven by several similarities which are apparent in clothing, music and songs. The traditional Cretan music is a special feature on the island which is maintained and developed till today. Created in prehistoric times and is the most genuine European music in Europe. The wide variety of songs is what characterizes the music of the island. Distinct place in the island is held by the traditional, historic and heroic songs, called "rizitika" which originate from the villages in the roots of Lefka Ori. Very famous are also songs couplets, called "mantinades", which refer to love, joy and sorrow of the people. The Cretans, through songs and dancing, express their feelings keenly. The dance is bound to the people's daily life. Even in nowadays, when the financial and social status have changed, the people of Crete ,from the youngest to the eldest, keep on dancing and help preserving those dances with the longstanding history, dating back to the Minoan times The instrument symbol of Cretan music is definitely the lyre. Since 17th century accompanying the Cretans with its melody. The traditional Cretan costume, both for men and women, is an important part of the island's folklore. Τhe Cretans, after the liberation of Crete from the Saracens in 961 A.D., wear Byzantine apparel, while the Venetian fashion was introduced in 1204 AD. The typical male costume with breeches, which has been maintained till today, makes its appearance in the middle of the 16th century.
Crete is a blessed place with vivid history of unique culture that has strongly influenced the nutrition practice of its people. Intense altitude variations, smooth coastal regions, gentle breeze, cooling streams, rich sunlight and mild climate conditions enrich further the remarkably fertile soil. This environment in conjunction with the cultivation culture guarantees the delivery of the highest quality products.