Αιγοπρόβατα από σκηνή της Γέννησης του Χριστού, 1192, λεπτομέρεια. Ναός της Παναγίας τους Άρακα, Κύπρος.
Name - Origin
Cypriot name of food
Τυρίν. Tyrín.
Greek name - description
Τυρί.
Functional and symbolic role
Nutritional Value and Importance in the Diet of Cypriots
Cheese was a staple food product during Byzantines times. After salting it, it was placed in clay "gastria" to preserve it. They would make sheep's, goat's and cow's cheese (Motsias 1998, p. 110).
Additional information and bibliography
Time period
Byzantine era, 7th -12th c
Supplementary Information
During the Frankish Era in Cyprus, they would eat cheese imported from Syria and Palestine (Koukoules 1952, p. 32).
Bibliography
Koukooules F. (1952) Βυζαντινών Βίος και Πολιτισμός. Τόμος Ε. Athens.
Motsias Ch. (1998) Τι έτρωγαν οι Βυζαντινοί. Kaktos Publications.
Researcher/Recorder
Athanassios Vionis
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.