Terminthos (Tremithkia, troumithia) - terebinth
The tender shoots of the tremithia tree were consumed after preserving them in vinegar or brine.
Name - Origin
Τρεμιθιά.
In the Cypriot dialect it is called 'tremithkia' (Yangoullis 1994, entry τρεμιθικιά). Scientific name of the tree: Pistacia terebinthus L.
The tender shoots of tremithia are preserved, according to Galen, in vinegar or brine like the shoots of capers (see Supplementary Information).
Functional and symbolic role
The process of preserving tender shoots such as capers or tremithia in vinegar or brine is still used in Cyprus today.
Additional information and bibliography
The preservation of the tender shoots of the tremithia in brine or vinegar is mentioned by Galen (2nd century AD) in his work 'Περί τροφών δυνάμεως' (On the Properties of Foodstuffs). The reference is made in connection with similar processing of capers. 'They eat the tender tips of this plant, like those of terminthou, and when they are still green they put them, like those, in salamoura or in vinegar' Galen, 'Περί τροφών δυνάμεως' (On the Properties of Foodstuffs) 2.34 (Translation: Hadjioannou 1975, 359)
Galen, Περί Τροφών Δυνάμεως 2.34 in: Hadjioannou, K. (1975) Η Αρχαία Κύπρος εις τας Ελληνικάς Πηγάς τ.Β'. Nicosia: Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus-publications, 358-359.
Yangoullis, K. (1994) Λεξικό Ετυμολογικό και Ερμηνευτικό της Κυπριακής Διαλέκτου, Λευκωσία: Βιβλιοθήκη Κυπρίων Λαϊκών Ποιητών
Liddell and Scott (1996) A Greek-English Lexicon, Oxford: Clarendon Press
Natassa Charalambous
Traditional Recipes
Fried tremithies with eggs
Tremithies are the shoots of the terebinth tree. These are boiled and eaten with eggs as a tasty and original Cypriot omelette.
Traditional Recipes
Pickled tremithies
Tremithies are the shoots of the terebinth tree. "... boil them and let them cool. Put them in a bottle with vinegar, water and salt." ( Panayiota Mikkeli, Kyperounda)
Traditional Recipes
Soup with pasta and terebinth
A dish of daily life, consumed by rural families after working in the fields. The recipe comes from Armos in Paphos.
Foods
Tremithkia, tremitheleo - terebinth, terebinth oil
Troumíthkia, the fruit of the terebinth tree, were consumed as salted nuts. Terebinth oil was used in cooking, in addition to its use as a lighting oil and for therapeutic purposes.
Traditional Recipes
Tremithopittes - Pittas with terebinth seeds
These thin pittas are crispy like rusks. In addition to tremithia (terebinth seeds), they may also contain raisins.