Greek Market FAQs
Welcome to the Greek Market FAQs page. Here you will find clear answers to common questions about delivery, frozen and chilled items, best-before dates, ordering, payments, account help, and more.
We have created this page to make it easier for you to shop with confidence at GreekMarket.co.uk. Whether you want to understand how frozen products travel, how delivery dates work, or what to do if you need help with an order, this is the best place to start.
Our FAQs are designed to give quick, practical answers about Greek products in the UK, online ordering, and the services we provide. We regularly review and expand this section so it remains a useful source of information for customers shopping for authentic Greek food, drinks, and essentials.
What is Pasteli?
Pasteli is a traditional Greek confection made primarily from sesame seeds and honey, although variations may include additional ingredients like nuts or dried fruit. This sweet treat has a chewy or crunchy texture, depending on how long it’s cooked and how much honey is used. Pasteli often comes in the form of bars or small squares and is sometimes sprinkled with a bit of sea salt to enhance its flavors.
The basic process of making Pasteli involves toasting sesame seeds and then mixing them with warm honey to form a sticky mixture. This mixture is then spread flat onto a surface, allowed to cool, and cut into pieces. The result is a simple yet delicious and nutritious snack that is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and healthy fats.
Pasteli is often enjoyed on its own, but it can also be used as a topping for yogurt or incorporated into various desserts. Because of its long shelf life, it makes a convenient snack for on-the-go or as a quick energy booster. It is a popular item at Greek festivals and is often given as a treat during holidays and special occasions.
GreekMarket.co.uk being a cultural hub for everything Greek, has added Pasteli to its product lineup since day one. It encapsulates the simplicity and richness of Greek culinary tradition and offers a genuinely Greek experience to our customers.
What is Pastitsio?
Pastitsio is a classic Greek dish that is often described as a Greek version of lasagne. It consists of layered pasta, typically long tubular pasta like bucatini or penne, a meat sauce usually made from minced beef or lamb, and a creamy béchamel sauce. The dish is seasoned with various herbs and spices, including cinnamon and nutmeg, which add a distinctively Greek flavour.
To prepare pastitsio, the pasta is first boiled until it’s al dente and often mixed with a bit of cheese and egg to help the layers stick together. The meat sauce, similar to a Bolognese, is prepared by cooking minced meat with onions, garlic, and tomatoes, and it’s usually seasoned with cinnamon, salt, and pepper. The béchamel sauce is made from butter, flour, and milk, and is seasoned with nutmeg.
Once all the components are ready, the dish is assembled in a deep baking dish. A layer of pasta is placed at the bottom, followed by the meat sauce, another layer of pasta, and finally, the béchamel sauce on top. The dish is then baked in the oven until the top layer becomes golden and slightly crispy.
Pastitsio is a hearty dish that’s often served at family gatherings, celebrations, and festive occasions in Greece. It’s beloved for its rich, comforting layers and the blend of flavours that make it uniquely Greek.
Given its popularity and representation of Greek culinary traditions, pastitsio has been included in our offerings at GreekMarket.co.uk, serving as a hearty meal that encapsulates the warmth and richness of Greek cuisine.
What is Rakomelo?
Rakomelo is a traditional Greek alcoholic drink that is a blend of raki or tsikoudia, a grape-based spirit, with honey and various spices like cinnamon and cloves. The ingredients are usually heated together to create a warm, aromatic beverage that is often consumed during the colder months. The name “Rakomelo” is derived from “raki,” which is the spirit used as the base, and “meli,” the Greek word for honey.
The drink is popular for its supposed medicinal properties; it’s often consumed to ward off a cold or soothe a sore throat, although these claims are more based in tradition than scientific evidence.
Rakomelo can be enjoyed as a warm drink, but it is also sometimes used in cocktails or as a flavouring for desserts. It is a popular offering in tavernas and ouzeries across Greece and has been gaining international attention as well.
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, and it’s a staple ingredient in various cuisines, particularly in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African cooking. While not exclusively Greek, tahini is also commonly used in Greek cuisine, often appearing in sauces, spreads, and desserts. The paste has a creamy texture and a nutty, slightly bitter taste.
To make tahini, sesame seeds are usually hulled, toasted, and then ground into a paste. The end product can vary in consistency from quite thick to somewhat runny, depending on the grinding process and the addition of any oils. Pure tahini consists solely of sesame seeds, but some commercial varieties may contain added oil or salt.
In Greek cuisine, tahini is often mixed with honey or sugar to create a sweet spread, and it can be used as a filling for various pastries. It is also used in savory dishes and sauces, often combined with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. For example, it may be used in dips or as a dressing for grilled vegetables and salads.
Tahini is rich in nutrients, including healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. It’s also a good source of antioxidants and has been associated with various health benefits, such as improving heart health and reducing inflammation.
Given its versatility and nutritional benefits, tahini has always been a wonderful addition to the GreekMarket.co.uk selection of Greek and Mediterranean products.
What is the minimum deposit for My Funds?
Currently, the minimum deposit is £250 every time you add funds to your account—which effectively costs you only £200 thanks to the 20% bonus. Because the £250 minimum applies to every deposit, it’s in your best interest to deposit as much as possible from the start to maximise your total bonus.
What is the minimum spend?
The minimum order is £15 of products after discounts, including VAT and excluding delivery. Active Prime members are exempt.
What is Trahanas?
Trahanas is a traditional Greek food made from a fermented mixture of grain, usually wheat, and either milk or yogurt. The mixture is left to ferment for a few days before being broken into small chunks or ground into a coarse powder. It’s a versatile ingredient that has a long shelf life, making it a staple in Greek households.
Trahanas is most commonly used to make a hearty soup, especially popular in the winter months. To prepare the soup, the trahanas is typically boiled in water, broth, or milk, often with the addition of vegetables, meat, or cheese to enhance its flavour. The result is a comforting, nourishing dish with a slightly tangy taste owing to the fermentation process.
Different regions in Greece have their own variations of trahanas, with some opting for a sweeter version made with milk and others preferring a more tangy, savory version made with yogurt or sour milk. The dish also exists in various forms across the Middle East and the Balkans, each with their own local twists.
Trahanas can also be used in other dishes, such as casseroles or stews, as a thickening agent or to add texture and flavour.
Given its traditional significance and versatility, it has been be a valuable addition to the GreekMarket.co.uk collection of authentic Greek foods.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Visa Delta, Visa Debit, Switch, American Express. All payments are secure and processed by Stripe.
Klarna Payments are accepted on orders over £100. Pay in 30 days or pay in 3 instalments. Klarna T&Cs apply.
You may also shop with your prepaid “Funds” (credit) and accumulated “Drachmas” (loyalty points). Drachmas expire after 12 months and the minimum redemption is 100 Drachmas (£3). Funds and Drachmas cannot be used in conjunction with a Prime membership.
We no longer accept Paypal and direct bank transfers.
What should be done as soon as the Gyros parcel arrives?
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Bring the parcel indoors immediately
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Unpack straight away
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Place the gyros into the fridge or freezer immediately
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To eat, heat the product until piping hot within 5 days or place in the freezer for later consumption (usually 12 months approx.)
When Greek honey becomes solid
Why your Greek honey get crystallised
Pollen and the natural sugars in honey such as glucose and fructose will bind together and begin to form little crystals, which can start making your honey harder. Non-processed, 100% pure natural honey of top quality will crystallise faster than others. While it might mean less shelf appeal because the honey looks solid, keeping pollen in honey means you’re getting a real product made by bees.
Crystallised honey is still honey! It’s perfectly safe to eat and doesn’t mean that your honey has gone bad. In fact, it’s just the opposite! It means that your honey is pure and natural with its flavour, quality and health benefits 100% preserved. You can still eat and cook with crystallised honey exactly as you normally would. It will melt into your hot drinks and into your baked dishes, just like liquid honey.
How to turn your honey back to liquid
If you prefer not to mess with your favourite sweet treat and want to keep your honey dripping, simply give it a bath. Take a large bowl, fill it with warm water and let your honey sit until the crystals melt away.
When Greek olive oil becomes cloudy
Olive oil starts to get naturally solidified when exposed to cold temperatures, usually between 1-4° Celsius.
The solidification of olive oil is a slow and gradual process and starts by it looking cloudy or crystalised. As the olive oil gets even colder, it turns into the same consistency as butter. When completely frozen, it becomes a very hard butter.
Again, this process doesn’t affect the quality — it will be the same Extra Virgin Olive Oil when you bring it back down to room temperature and it becomes liquid again. Some even suggest keeping it at this extra cool temperature to extend the shelf life.
Thawing Olive Oil At Home
•You can put the container into a “warm room”.
Move it to a warmer spot in your house before you use it. Make sure to give it enough time to turn back into a liquid — the larger the packaging, the more time it will need. This process can take anywhere from 1 day to 1 week, so make sure to plan ahead.
•If you are looking to bring your retail bottle of olive oil back to a liquid state, this process is quite simple. Just fill a sink with warm water, and place your olive oil bottle in it. Your olive oil will slowing come back to a full liquid form so that you can use it just like normal — just give it 10 or 20 minutes in the warm water.
•You may find that there are small particles that are floating in the oil after defrosting — these are small, natural molecules of the olive that tend to separate and settle when the olive oil solidifies. Don’t worry, your oil is still good and you can use it like normal.
When will I get my refund?
Greek Market offers customers 100% money back guarantee on eligible items. Although refunds are authorised and processed immediately by Greek Market, depending on banking timeframes, it may take 7-10 business days for your refund to display on your payment card statement.