For those who don’t know ‘Blue Zone’ is a term coined for places that not only have a population who have a longer than average life expectancy but also age without the associated health problems, like dementia, diabetes and heart disease. There are only five places globally that have made it onto the list: Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California: Sardinia, Italy and Ikaria, Greece

So why is it that these particular islanders live so well and for so long? One reason has to be the food and Ikaria is a foodie’s paradise full of unique mostly organic ingredients grown on steep high altitude mountain terraces and plains bordering the Aegean sea. Some of these are particular to Ikaria, such as the sweet potato like Taro root, or the famous indigenous apricot ‘kaisa Ikarias‘ or ‘almond kernel’ as it is locally known, that can be eaten whole, stone and all!

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The soaring mountains are full of a vast array of mountain herbs, oregano, thyme, sage, chamomile, fennel, heather, rosemary, mint, fennel, mint, and yarrow, which are not only used in cooking but are sipped as tea throughout the day by the Ikarians. Bees zip around industriously producing the local honey, or “anama“, which is of exceptional quality. Reiki honey, produced from heather is the best-known and is treasured for its medicinal properties, but you can also find pine, thyme, myrrh (horse thyme), and wildflower honey.

This stunning high forested mountain landscape is also home to herds of semi-wild mountain goats
known locally as ‘raska‘, which is the favourite meat on the island. Apart from traditionally made cheeses, such as the soft, creamy, Kathoura (perfect with a shot of the local Raki) the locals produce a variety of delicious goat dishes like”Kariotiko pastourma”, a delicious air-dried jerky.

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