Kalamata: Food tour and Olive Oil Tasting with Light Lunch

Part 1: Meeting Point
Maria, our passionate food lover and local host, will be waiting for you at the beautiful central square of Kalamata, Vasileos Geogiou Square, (Πλατεία Βασιλέως Γεωργίου) in front of the 3 Statues (Agalmata) of the Messinian war Heroes of 1821.

Part 2: Visit to a Traditional Workshop and tasting of Local Home-made products
Many times, you can find the tastiest local products in the most unlikely places of a town you visit, where you’d never think to look. Together we’ll discover a traditional Workshop, literally hidden in the tiny alleys of the city.

The local women working at the Workshop will show how to make two of the oldest delicacies of Messinia and Mani, using the simplest of ingredients, flour and olive oil.

Part 3: Tasting of Spoon Sweets, Corinthian Raisins & other Greek super food
In the heart of the historical city centre, you will visit one of the most well known local shops in Kalamata.
Upon entering the shop, the aroma of the exquisite herbs and spices wafting through the air will transport you to the top of Mt. Taygetos, the local mountain.
You’ll get to taste homemade glyka tou koutaliou (spoon sweets), black Korinthian raisins and other products of the Messinian and Greek land.

Part 4: Greek Coffee Tasting at Local Coffee Micro Roastery
It’s time for your morning coffee! And what’s better than a hot traditional Greek coffee prepared by Panagiotis or Giorgos, who’ll reveal the secrets to its proper preparation.
You’ll find out all about the origins of this type of coffee, how it got its name and how it has become a part of the Greek tradition and temperament.

Part 5: Visit to a Shop with Local Wines & Traditional Spirits – Short wine tasting
Find out all the local varieties, including Fokiano, Roditis, Malaguzia and Moschofilero, as well as how they are combined with foreign varieties to produce excellent white, rose and red wines through a short wine tasting along with Mr. Giannis.

Part 6: Visit to an Olive Oil Shop & short Olive oil tasting
Whether this is the first or umpteenth time visiting Messinia, olive-oil tasting is a must, given this is the birthplace of olives and olive oil. You’ll take part in a quick yet fulfilling olive-oil tasting with a professional and certified olive-oil connoisseur.

You’ll find out all about the Koroneiki variety and its unique features, and will taste different varieties of extra virgin olive oils. This tasting will be enough for you to realise just how superior this extra virgin olive oil is from the common olive oils in the market.

Part 7: Light Lunch with Mediterranean or Messinian Dishes and Local Wines
A light yet filling lunch will conclude your gastronomic experience and spoil your senses, in one of the cosiest family ouzo taverns in the heart of the city.

You’ll also get to taste a classic Messinian dish and find out its interesting history, but we won’t spoil the surprise. Join us to discover it first-hand!