Πηγή: «Ιστορία Χρονολογικής της Νήσου Κύπρου» του Αρχιμ. Κυπριανού (1788), εσώφυλλο
The types of dairy products produced and consumed in the 18th century. Report of Archim. Kyprianos (1788)
Name - Origin
Γαλακτοκομικά προϊόντα
Functional and symbolic role
Archim. Kyprianos in his "Chronological History of the Island of Cyprus" (1788, 547) informs us about the types of dairy products that were produced, consumed and exported in the 18th century. These were halloumi, myzithra, butter, sour milk and other types of cheese. The village of Akanthou and some villages in Paphos seem to have been famous for the production of various types of cheese and halloumi, while in Nicosia and Larnaca they produced a lot of sour milk, especially in the summer. It should be noted that the production of cow's milk was minimal and it was not consumed by locals.
Additional information and bibliography
"Many excellent types of cheese from the village of Akanthou, and some villages of Paphos. Salty mizithra and halloumi, delicious cheese and tyropoulla and butter and sour milk in Summer even in Nicosia and Larnaca, and various other dairy products. a lot of cheese exports. Cows' milk is little or not all consumed by locals"(Kyprianos Archim. 1788, 547).
Archimandrite Kyprianos (1788), Chronological History of the Island of Cyprus, Evagora printing, Nicosia.
Stalo Lazarou, Argyro Xenophontos
Φρέσκα χαλλούμια. Λετύμπου, 2016. Πηγή: Στάλω Λαζάρου.
Χαλλούμια και αναρή. Πηγή: Στάλω Λαζάρου.
Foods
Amis
Dessert of ancient Cyprus, the name of which is preserved in written sources of the Hellenistic and Roman period. It is interpreted as a milk pie.
Foods
Anari
Cypriot white cheese (similar to myzithra/ricotta). Fresh, unsalted anari is usually used for the preparation of traditional pastries such as pourekia with anari, anaropitta and others. Fresh anari…
Foods
Anaroalon - anarogalo
Milk left over from halloumi cheese making and used in the production of anari cheese.
Foods
Galatopourekko
A dessert with cream in filo pastry and syrup. It was customary to serve it during cheesefare week.
Foods
Halloumi
Halloumi is a white Cypriot cheese made from sheep or goat milk or a mixture of the two with or without cow milk, consumed fresh or semi-mature. Halloumi is registered as a PDO since 13/04/2021
Foods
Halloumi - gastronomical map of Cyprus
Halloumi production has been known in Cyprus since ancient times. A plethora of Cyprus-related written sources refer to halloumi, most evidently the manuscript of Duke Leonardo Dona, dated to 1556,…
Foods
Paphitiko tyri - Paphos cheese
Paphitiko tyri (cheese) is made in Paphos district during Easter time from sheep's or goat's milk, or a mixture of these and used for the preparation of flaounes, an Easter delicacy.
Traditional Recipes
Pastry cream with goat’s milk
Crème pâtissière adapted to Cypriot cuisine with the use of goat's milk.
Traditional Recipes
Rice pudding - Rizógalo
A sweet treat which was widely popular in Cyprus among families who had sheep, as it was traditionally made using sheep's milk and flour. Today, rice pudding is prepared using different ingredients.
Foods
Trahanas - gastronomical map of Cyprus
Trahanas is a dried fermented product that is produced with sour sheep's and/or goat's milk and wheat.
Foods
Tyrin akathkiotiko - cheese from Akanthou
Shepherds used to place branches of louvithkia (xistarka) in the milk strainer as its leaves had a sticky juice with a very delicate smell.
Foods
Yaourtin, gala oxinon - Yoghurt
In the districts of Limassol and Paphos it was called galan oxinon (sour milk). In the city and district of Nicosia and in the other parts of the island, it was called yoghurt. 'Galan tis tsoukkas'…
Traditional Recipes
Yoghurt
A highly nutritious dairy product made by fermenting the milk. In Cyprus it is a favourite accompaniment to many dishes.
Traditional Recipes
Yoghurt in a clay pot
"Dissolve the yoghurt in a little milk. Add the mixture to the rest of the milk and mix well. Put it in an clay pot, cover it with a warm cloth and let it set." (Theognosia Andreou, Kornos).