Britain’s Greek Supermarket

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Greek Market FAQs

Browse frequently asked questions and practical answers from Greek Market.

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 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 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 is Briam?

Briam is a classic Greek vegetable dish made by baking a variety of seasonal vegetables in the oven, usually with olive oil, herbs, and sometimes tomato sauce. It’s quite similar to the French dish ratatouille and is particularly popular in Greece during the summer when fresh vegetables are abundant. Typical ingredients include courgettes (zucchini), aubergines (eggplant), potatoes, onions, and peppers.

To prepare Briam, the vegetables are generally sliced or diced, then combined with olive oil, garlic, and herbs such as oregano and thyme. Some recipes also include tomato sauce or fresh tomatoes. This mixture is placed in a baking dish and roasted until the vegetables are soft and have absorbed the aromatic flavours of the herbs and olive oil.

The dish can be enjoyed either hot or cold and is often served as a vegetarian main course or as a side dish accompanying meat or fish. Briam offers a delicious, nutritious, and straightforward way to experience authentic Greek cooking.

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.

Partial Refunds for Unavailable Products with Fixed Amount Discounts Applied

Sometimes, GreekMarket.co.uk may offer fixed amount discounts on your order total, such as £5 off on a £50 purchase.

Our system, by design, distributes this discount proportionally across all products in your basket. Therefore, every item’s price on your receipt will be slightly reduced, sharing the total discount.

For instance: On an order of two products priced at £25 each, with a total discount of £5, each product’s receipt price becomes £22.50, not £25.

If, due to unforeseen circumstances, one of these products becomes unavailable, your refund will be based on the discounted receipt price, which in this example would be £22.50 and not the original price of £25.

We acknowledge that this proportional discount application might create confusion. However, this ensures that the discount benefits are equally spread across all products you’ve chosen. It also ensures a fair refund based on the actual amount you paid.

As always, if there are concerns or uncertainties regarding your refund, our dedicated customer service team stands ready to assist and clarify any issues.

Delivery Service Disruptions

Severe weather, natural disasters, and other conditions beyond our control can occasionally disrupt our services.

For DPD service disruption information, please click here.

For UPS service disruption information, please click here.

For DHL service disruption information, please click here.

For Royal Mail service disruption information, please click here.

For Parcel Force service disruption information, please click here.

Best Before Dates

Love Food, Hate WasteEvery product that appears on the Greek Market platform is identified by its product batch number, therefore the Best Before date is displayed on the product page.

 

A Best-before date is not to be confused with the Use-by date that you find on products such as fresh milk, yogurt, and raw meat.

Learn more about our support for the Fight Food Waste initiative and the differences between Use-by and Best-before dates here: Fight Food Waste | Greek Market

Please note that Best-before dates are not Expiry dates, products do not expire!

Best Before dates

In the unlikely event of a product recall, please click here Product Recalls | Greek Market for the latest information.

Flexible Payment Options (Klarna)

GreekMarket.co.uk has partnered with Klarna UK to bring you flexible payment options at the checkout on orders over £100.

Klarna’s Pay in 3 instalments and Pay in 30 days credit agreements are not regulated by the FCA.

18+, UK residents only. Subject to status. T&Cs apply. klarna.com/uk/terms-and-conditions

I’ve received only part of my order

Occasionally, due to volumetric/weight restrictions, an order consisting of two or more parcels might be delivered in parts separately, at different times on the same day, by different vans/drivers.

This applies only to multiparcel orders. A multiparcel order usually includes a dry-goods parcel and another parcel with your fridge items.

Please check your parcel tracking information for the latest delivery status updates. If you don’t have your individual parcel tracking numbers, please contact us.

 

Vinegar expiration date

Vinegar never expires, the date printed on the bottle is the date it was bottled.

My Delivery Date

Greek Market provides you with the maximum convenience and lets you select the delivery day that suits your lifestyle.

At checkout, select one of the delivery methods (Saturday, Next Business Day (Mon-Fri) or Weekday (Mon-Fri) delivery.

Alternatively, you may select My Collection if you prefer collecting your order from our warehouse in Greater Manchester.

Prime members are eligible for My Prime Delivery (Free Next Day, Free Saturday or any other day Mon-Fri delivery).

Greek Market Delivery Date

Free Weekday Delivery

On orders over £59

UK-Wide Delivery

Choose your delivery date

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