Greek Market FAQs

Refreezing thawed food is safe if the food has been handled properly and kept at a safe temperature (below 8°C according to the UK’s Food Standards Agency) before refreezing. However, there may be a slight loss in flavour due to moisture lost during the thawing process, especially in delicate items like seafood or ready-to-eat foods.

Although you see to thaw and to defrost used almost interchangeably, there is a difference. To defrost means simply to release from the frozen state, while to thaw as a transitive verb means to cause to become free from the effects of cold (hardness, stiffness, numbness) through exposure to warmth. A frozen product soft to the touch does not necessarily mean it’s been fully defrosted.

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Understanding Product State and Temperature:

• Solid Gel Packs: The presence of solid gel packs is a good sign. It indicates that the internal temperature of the packaging has likely been maintained well below the freezing point throughout transit. This helps in keeping the products at a safe temperature.
• Soft to the Touch: Products feeling soft to the touch does not necessarily mean they have fully defrosted. Meat and other frozen foods can begin to soften before they actually enter the “danger zone” (8°C to 63°C according to the UK’s Food Standards Agency or 4°C to 60°C according to USDA), where bacterial growth becomes a concern. Softening can occur at temperatures that are still safe, such as just below freezing.

Safety and Refreezing:

• Refreezing Guidelines: If the gel packs are mostly solid and the product has remained chilled (even if soft), it is generally safe to refreeze the product without cooking it first. The solid state of the gel packs suggests the product was kept out of the danger zone.
• Quality Consideration: Although safe, refreezing may affect the texture and quality of the product due to ice crystals that may have formed and then partially melted. This is more noticeable in delicate items like fish or finely sliced meats.

Best Practices for Handling Deliveries:

1. Immediate Inspection: Upon delivery, immediately check the state of the gel packs.
2. Feel the Package: If the product feels cold to the touch, similar to how it would feel in your refrigerator, it is likely that it has been kept at a safe temperature.
3. Refreezing: If the product is soft but cold, and the gel packs are solid, it is safe to refreeze.

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Applying a promo / discount / coupon / gift code at GreekMarket.co.uk is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to enjoy the benefits of your promotional discount:

1. Select Your Products: Browse through our wide range of Greek products and add your desired items to your shopping basket.
2. View Your Basket: Once you’ve selected everything you need, click on the shopping basket icon at the top right corner of the page to view your selected items.
3. Enter Promo Code: On the shopping basket page, you will find a section or a box labelled ‘Coupon Code’. This is usually located just before the checkout process begins. (see print screen)

   

4. Apply the Code: Enter your promo code in the provided box. Make sure to type it exactly as it appears.
5. Activate the Code: After entering your promo code, click on the ‘Apply’ button next to the box. This action will apply the discount associated with the code to your total order amount.
6. Check the Discount: Ensure that the promo code’s discount has been applied to your order total. The final price after the discount should be clearly displayed.
7. Proceed to Checkout: Once the discount is applied, you can proceed to checkout to complete your purchase. If you don’t apply the code on the previous step (shopping basket/cart page) you can still apply it on the shipping/checkout page. (see print-screen below)

   

Important Tips:

• Validity: Before using a promo code, check its validity period to ensure it’s still active.
• Terms and Conditions: Read the terms and conditions associated with the promo code, as there may be specific requirements or exclusions.
• One-time Use: Most promo codes are for one-time use only, so make sure you’re ready to make the purchase when you apply it.
• Account-specific promo codes (login required) Some promo / discount codes are issued only to specific customers (for example, as a goodwill gesture, product review reqard, loyalty reward, birthday offer, or Greek Market Prime promotion). These codes are linked to the email address on your Greek Market account.

  • To use this type of code, you must be logged in to your account before you apply it.

  • Make sure you are using the same email address that received the promo code. If you try to use the code as a guest, or while logged in with a different email, the system will show the code as invalid or not applicable.

  • If you don’t yet have an account, please create one using the same email address to which the promo code was sent, then log in and apply the code again.

Should you encounter any issues or have questions about applying a promo code, feel free to contact our customer service for assistance. We’re here to ensure your shopping experience is both enjoyable and seamless.

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Yes, but we do not recommend mixing pre-order items with in-stock items in the same order.
At Greek Market, we strive to deliver your products efficiently and on time. Mixing these two types of items complicates the delivery process, as pre-order items often have different availability dates compared to in-stock items. To ensure a smooth and timely delivery for all your items, please place separate orders for pre-order items and in-stock items. This approach helps us manage and streamline our shipping process, providing you with a better shopping experience.

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Pre-order items have their own Availability Date, which is shown on the product page.

As soon as the item arrives at our warehouse, we check its quality, we pack it carefully and dispatch it to you straight away.

Please note that availability/delivery dates are calculated approximately and depend on external factors we cannot control.

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Benefits of Pre-Ordering from Greek Market

1. Guaranteed Product Availability: Secure your desired Greek products before they hit the shelves, ensuring you don’t miss out due to high demand or limited stock.
2. Early Access: Be among the first to receive new or exclusive items, enjoying them before they are available to the general public.
3. Special Discounts and Offers: Take advantage of pre-order exclusive discounts or bundled deals, making your purchase more valuable.
4. Beat the Brexit Blues: With the complexities of importing post-Brexit, pre-ordering ensures you get the products you love without the wait or uncertainty.
5. Fixed Prices: Protect yourself from potential price fluctuations or increases – the price you see at pre-order is the price you pay.
6. Convenience and Planning: Pre-ordering allows you to plan your purchases in advance, aligning with your budget and needs without last-minute rushes.
7. Personalised Service: Enjoy tailored customer service, with updates and information provided specifically to our pre-order customers.
8. Enhanced Customer Experience: Experience a smoother, more streamlined shopping process, from order to delivery.
9. Support Authentic Greek Products: By pre-ordering, you directly support the supply and demand for genuine Greek products in the UK.
10. Join a Community of Greek Enthusiasts: Be part of an exclusive group of customers who appreciate and seek out the best of Greek culture and products.

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Yes, you can.
When a Greek product is on its way to our warehouse we might make it available as a “Pre-Order” item.

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Moussaka is a beloved dish in Greek cuisine, and it’s also popular in other countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. It consists of layered aubergine (eggplant), meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel or custard topping. The meat sauce is usually made from minced lamb or beef and is flavoured with various herbs and spices like cinnamon, oregano, and sometimes nutmeg. Some versions of the dish also include layers of thinly sliced potatoes.

To prepare moussaka, the aubergine slices are often fried or baked until tender. The meat sauce is cooked separately, often including onions, garlic, and tomatoes in addition to the minced meat. Once the aubergine and meat sauce are prepared, they’re layered in a deep baking dish. The topmost layer is usually a béchamel sauce, made from butter, flour, and milk, often enriched with eggs or cheese. This assembled dish is then baked until the top layer turns golden and the ingredients meld into a harmonious, richly flavoured casserole.

Moussaka is often enjoyed as a main course and is frequently accompanied by a simple salad. It can be served hot or at room temperature and is even said to taste better the next day, once the flavours have had more time to meld.

Given its status as a staple of Greek cuisine, moussaka has always been an excellent addition to the range of authentic Greek foods and experiences we offer through GreekMarket.co.uk. It’s a dish that encapsulates the hearty and flavourful essence of Greek home cooking.

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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.

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Gemista, also spelled “Yemista,” is a traditional Greek dish featuring stuffed vegetables. The word “gemista” translates to “stuffed” in English. The most commonly used vegetables for this dish are tomatoes and peppers, although you can also use aubergines and courgettes.

The vegetables are hollowed out, and the scooped-out flesh is usually reserved and incorporated into the stuffing. The filling often consists of rice mixed with various herbs and spices, and occasionally minced meat is added. Once the hollowed-out vegetables are filled with the rice mixture, they are arranged in a baking tray. To keep them moist during baking, olive oil, water, or tomato sauce may be added. The dish is then baked until the vegetables become tender and the rice is fully cooked.

Gemista can be enjoyed either hot or at room temperature and is often served with a side of feta cheese or Greek yoghurt. It’s a versatile dish that can be easily customised to cater to different dietary preferences.

Given its authentic nature and adaptability, Gemista has always been an excellent addition to the range of Greek culinary experiences we offer through GreekMarket.co.uk. It encapsulates the essence of Greek home cooking and utilises seasonal ingredients.

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Mastiha, also known as mastic, is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) primarily found on the Greek island of Chios. The resin is collected by making small incisions in the bark, allowing the sap to drip out and harden into translucent droplets. Once harvested, these droplets are cleaned and can be used in various forms, including as a chewing gum, a spice, or as a flavouring agent.

Mastiha has a unique, slightly piney flavour with a hint of sweetness, and it is used in a wide range of culinary and medicinal applications. In Greek cuisine, mastiha is used to flavour baked goods, liqueurs, candies, and even some savory dishes. It is also a key ingredient in certain traditional Greek spirits like Mastiha, a liqueur that can be served as an aperitif or digestif.

Beyond its culinary uses, mastiha has been prized for its medicinal properties for centuries. It has been shown to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities, and it is used in various forms for digestive issues, skin conditions, and dental health.

Given its unique flavour and various applications, mastiha makes for a fascinating and authentic addition to our selection of Greek products on GreekMarket.co.uk. It embodies the diverse culinary and medicinal traditions of Greece, and offers our customers a taste of something genuinely unique to Greek culture.

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Mandolato is a traditional Greek confection that originated from the Ionian Islands, particularly from Corfu. It is a type of nougat made from honey, sugar, egg whites, and almonds or other nuts. The texture can vary from chewy to brittle, depending on the specific recipe and cooking time. Mandolato is often flavoured with vanilla or citrus zest to add an extra layer of complexity to its taste.

The basic process of making Mandolato involves whipping egg whites into a frothy meringue and then combining them with a mixture of boiled honey and sugar. Nuts are then added to the mixture, which is poured into a mold lined with edible rice paper or wafer. Once it has cooled and set, it’s cut into bars or squares for serving.

Mandolato is a popular treat during holidays and special occasions in Greece and is often found at local festivals, fairs, and traditional markets. Due to its rich taste and high-energy content, it’s considered a festive treat rather than an everyday snack.

The confection has some similarities to Italian torrone or the French nougat, but its unique blend of ingredients and regional variations make it distinctly Greek. Given its traditional significance and rich, nutty flavour, Mandolato has been an excellent addition to our selection of authentic Greek products at GreekMarket.co.uk. It’s a treat that not only satisfies a sweet tooth but also offers a taste of Greek heritage.

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