The Taste of Crete Story
The Taste of Crete Story
Taste of Crete is born out of a personal passion for the people, culture and history of Crete. Born and raised in America, I married my Greek husband and had 2 big Greek weddings in 1988. Our first wedding was in the U.S. and then, two weeks later we married again with a big traditional wedding celebration in the mountains of Crete. I quickly learned how to Greek dance and I immediately gained a big extended family!
I also developed a deep appreciation for the farmers of Crete who take painstaking pride in the careful cultivation of their fields and care of their livestock. But my deepest appreciation is for my mother-in-law Evangelia, a farmer. She has weathered many trails and tribulations during her life, and her spirit is an inspiration and a source of strength for all who are fortunate enough to know her. I dedicate my first product, Taste of Crete PDO Extra Virgin Olive Oil in her honor.
Now every summer we go back to Crete with our children to the family farm and its olive groves. And every summer, we return to the U.S. with our luggage filled to bursting with the natural bounty of Crete; an array of olive oil, olives, raisins, herbs, wine, cheese, breads and sweets to share with our family and friends.
From these yearly excursions came the idea to create Taste of Crete so that you too could enjoy this experience. We are dedicated to bringing you the best olive oil, cookbooks and other natural food products from Crete, the largest island of Greece.
Sharing hearty, wholesome food and wine with family and friends is still such an important part of daily life in Crete. Sitting down to a meal all together, catching up on the days events, joys and tribulations is an everyday occurrence. We hope that in some small way, as you use our extra virgin olive oil or try our recipes, you too will be inspired to share this bounty with your own family and friends, bringing more health, happiness and hospitality into your own lives.
Here is to your good health!
Esther Luongo Psarakis-Founder
PS. We love to hear from our customers; any comments, recommendations for products, or ideas are always most welcome. I am also starting periodic email newsflashes with special offers, recipes, cooking hints, etc. So please contact us.
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Our Mission
Taste of Crete is a specialty food company working to promote authentic Greek cuisine in the United States and help preserve traditional methods of production in Greece. Through Taste of Crete, we import products from some of the best artisanal and organic producers in Greece. We also use many of these same high quality products to make in the United States our own products based on traditional recipes that we learned in our families’ kitchens in Greece.
We form close partnerships with our suppliers in Greece, working with them to develop well-designed marketing campaigns to ensure that their products succeed in the United States. Committed to rural development in Greece, we subscribe to the principles of fair trade and ensure that our partners receive fair prices for their products.
To allow American consumers to enjoy the full range of the Greek cuisine, Taste of Crete has developed two in-house brands. Under Taste of Crete™ and The Greek Table™ , we provide a window into the high quality everyday food experiences – rich oils, tasty cookies, and delicious fresh pre-prepared meals – that characterize Greek life