Indulgences

1. ελληνικός καφές

   e-li-ni-KOS ka-FES

   Greek coffee (finely ground coffee brewed in a briki)

   Usage

   Brewed from very fine grounds in a small pot called a μπρίκι. Grounds settle at the bottom, so stop before the last sip. Sweetness is specified when ordering: σκέτος (no sugar) / μέτριος (medium) / γλυκός (sweet).

2. φραπές

   fra-PES

   Frappé (iced whipped instant coffee)

   Usage

   Instant coffee shaken with water and ice into a thick foam; a Greek summer staple invented in 1957. Ask for με γάλα if you want milk.

3. φρέντο εσπρέσο

   FRE-do e-SPRE-so

   Freddo espresso (iced espresso)

   Usage

   A double espresso whipped with ice; no milk. It became widespread in Greece in the 1990s.

4. φρέντο καπουτσίνο

   FRE-do ka-pu-TSI-no

   Freddo cappuccino (iced espresso topped with cold milk foam)

   Usage

   A freddo espresso topped with cold frothed milk (αφρόγαλα). Contains dairy.

5. ούζο

   U-zo

   Ouzo (anise-flavoured spirit)

   Usage

   A strong spirit that turns milky when water or ice is added. Drunk as an aperitif and alongside μεζές (small plates).

6. τσίπουρο

   TSI-pu-ro

   Tsipouro (grape marc spirit)

   Usage

   A strong spirit distilled from fermented grape marc (στέμφυλα), made on the Greek mainland.

7. τσικουδιά

   tsi-ku-di-A

   Tsikoudia (Cretan grape marc spirit)

   Usage

   Grape marc spirit of Crete and the Aegean islands; also called ρακή in Crete. Often offered free after a meal.

8. ρετσίνα

   re-TSI-na

   Retsina (pine-resin flavoured wine)

   Usage

   A Greek white wine flavoured with pine resin (ρετσίνι), served chilled. The aroma is distinctive, so try a small glass first.

9. μαστίχα Χίου

   ma-STI-cha CHI-u

   Chios mastiha (mastic resin, also a liqueur)

   Usage

   Resin from the mastic trees of Chios, protected as an EU PDO (ΠΟΠ). Used in liqueur, sweets and chewing gum.

10. λουκούμι

    lu-KU-mi

    Loukoumi (soft sugar-and-starch confection)

    Usage

    Cubes of sugar-and-starch confection. ⚠ Not the same as the fried λουκουμάδες. Some varieties contain nuts, so check if you are allergic.

11. τσιγάρα

    tsi-GA-ra

    Cigarettes

    Usage

    A pack is ένα πακέτο τσιγάρα. Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces in Greece; most venues allow it only on the terrace.

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