Cyprus was famous for its cheese.
Name - Origin
Τυρί
Functional and symbolic role
Lucian of Samosata mentions cheese in relation to Cyprus, giving the impression that it is a famous local product. Cheese is included in the secondary products that the ancient Cypriots produced with the introduction of domestic livestock (Michaelides 2008, 23).
Additional information and bibliography
The 'cheese' of Cyprus is mentioned by Lucian (in 'Corporate Dialogues' - 2nd century AD) as a gift which will leave the recipient very satisfied. Excerpt: 'Oh, how happy she who will have you as her lover, Dorian, for you will bring her onions and cheese from Cyprus, when you arrive by ship from Gythio' Lucian, Dialogues 14.322 (translation: Hadjioannou 1975)
Michaelides, D. (1998) 'The Food in Ancient Cyprus' στο: Lysaght, P. Food and the Traveller-Migration, Immigration, Tourism and Ethnic group. Nicosia: Intercollege Press
Λουκιανός, Εταιρικοί Διάλογοι 14.322 in: Macleod, M.D. translation (1992) Lucian-Dialogues of the Courtesans, Loeb Classical Library τ.7. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 460.
Hadjioannou, K. (1975) Η Αρχαία Κύπρος εις τας Ελληνικάς Πηγάς, τ.Β'. Nicosia: Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus-publications, 370-371
Natassa Charalambous.
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.
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.