A TASTE OF

CYPRUS

Produced by Speciality Food Magazineon behalf of the Cyprus High Commission Trade Centre in London, UK

Discover exciting new flavours

YOUR GUIDE TO CYPRIOT FOOD & DRINK

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C yprus’ rich history in gastronomy finds its rootsfrom ancient times. Through the centuries,unique flavours and authentic recipes have

emerged, which is why the island is now making its markwith its exceptional indigenous products, which combinethe traditional character with an ultimate gourmetessence.

Awareness from importers all around the worldregarding Cypriot products has reached an all time high,through the careful implementation of a targeted exportpromotion strategy led by the Cyprus Ministry of Energy,Commerce, Industry & Tourism.

It’s well-known that the sun baked island of Cyprusproduces a huge range of tasty foodstuffs, many of whichare already extremely popular abroad.

Production methods, standardsand flexibilityDuring the past few years and especially after theaccession to the EU in 2004, Cyprus has made a hugeinvestment in its food industry and most products areproduced on an industrial scale using new technology andprocesses meaning increased export capabilities.Halloumi, for instance, once a cottage industry producedsalty cheese which was preserved in brine, has beenimproved by modern, technological production methods,delivering a unique traditional delicacy which can beproduced solely in Cyprus. Hygiene standards are keenlyfollowed and monitored throughout the manufacture ofthe island’s exportable foods, while vacuum and otherairtight packaging ensures that products reach theirworldwide markets in premium condition. Increasedinterest in health means that corners cannot be cut at anystage of the production process. The ranges are producedby state of the art technology, and all machinery arecustom made, so as to maintain the same quality level asthose produced manually. After all, Cyprus has its ownniche in the marketplace with quality, flavor, traceability,tradition and authenticity as main characteristics.Importers should be aware that great importance isplaced upon flexibility and that many of the productsmade on the island can be tailored to the demands ofthe customer.

Export The market for food from Cyprus is a large one. As well asappealing to the Cypriot community abroad andcustomers with established tastes for the island’s food,the products have proven appeal for customers ofdelicatessen, farm shops, food halls and independent

retailers who are looking for products which are tasty anddifferent. The unique range of foods available from Cyprusfills all these requirements. It’s because of the size of thismarket that Cyprus has developed reliable, efficient andcompetitive export facilities. Also, the location of Cyprusoffers great access to European, Middle East and Asianmarkets where the Mediterranean style Cypriotfood has been proven to be successfullymerchandised.

Cypriot manufacturers market theirown labels or produce for importers andretailers under their own brand. Theypride themselves on offering greatvalue and high standards of servicewhile they prepare their products usingthe best ingredients and to authentictraditional recipes.

FOODOF THE GODS

HALLOUMI & OTHERDAIRY PRODUCTSHalloumi, for which Cyprus is justlyfamed for centuries, was producedby families and consumed as anessential part of their daily diet. Ithas now become a runawaysuccess with international cheesebuyers.

White, semi-hard Halloumi ismade from sheep and/or goat’smilk, or blends with or withoutcow’s milk. Originally, it was soakedand preserved in brine, a processwhich gave the cheese its saltytaste and enabled it to be kept forlong periods. Following the massivesuccess of Halloumi, it is nowmanufactured on an industrial scaleby modern producers using thelatest technology; vacuumpackaging has been introduced andwidely used, while the moretraditional techniques are stillmaintained on a smaller scale.

Halloumi has secured a world-wide market, with large

consignments beingdespatched regularly to

continental Europe,Scandinavia,

Australia, theMiddle East andthe USA.

Thisspringy-textured

cheese is uniqueto the island,

producers stress.The flavour of Cyprus

Halloumi is the result of acombination of uniquely

Cypriot factors such as the warmclimate and the fodder that theisland produces for Cyprus-bredsheep and goats. The milk iscompletely different from milkproduced in Europe or elsewhere,producers say. The uniqueness ofthis product has proved animportant factor in its success bothat home and abroad.

It's worth noting, though, thatwhile Halloumi may lead Cyprus’dairy export drive, it's by no meansalone in the dairy market. Dairy isbig business on the island, withsome of the larger dairies producingcheeses such as fresh(salted/unsalted) or dry Anari,Kefalotyri (also known asKashkaval) as well as yoghurt,cream, smoothies and flavouredmilk products.

Halloumi may dominate Cyprus'food exports but the islandproduces a wonderful and alwaysappetizing array of food and drink,all with proven appeal forconsumers in every corner ofthe world.

“ With the runaway success of Halloumi cheese, which has quickly becomea staple in households around the world, other food manufacturers from the

sun-kissed island have followed suit. ”A Taste of Cyprus A Taste of Cyprus

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juice rather than refinedsugar, appealing directlyto health-consciousconsumers who arelooking to cut down ontheir sugar intake.

Ice cream With its balmyMediterranean climate,shady tavernas and sun-drenched beaches,luxury ice cream is asummer staple in Cyprus,enjoyed by both touristsand locals. Not surprisingly,island producers areexperienced in producingdelicious ice cream and lolliesusing high quality ingredientsand modern equipment – andmaintain the highest standards offood safety and quality inaccordance with the ISO 22000,HACCP food safety system, the ISO9001 quality management system andthe International Ice Cream Association.

Many Cypriot ice creams and relatedfrozen products are ideal for export worldwideincluding family pack and bulk ice cream. At thesame time, the island’s manufacturers, due to thesize of the market, are extremely flexible in respect tospecial recipes and minimum production runs, which canbe stumbling block for other European ice creamproducers.

As well as premium ice cream manufactured in thetraditional way using whole milk, fresh cream, fresh eggs,pure sugar, premium natural flavouring and ripe fruits,Cypriot ice cream producers have also tapped into thehealth-conscious market. Look out for the myriad ofproducts aimed at customers who are looking to reducetheir sugar and fat consumption without compromising onflavour. Fat-free ice cream sweetened with stevia, the all-natural sweetener, comes in popular vanilla, chocolate andstrawberry flavours, while honey and walnut frozenyoghurt is low in fat and captures the taste of theMediterranean. Fat-free sorbet in mouth-watering,summery flavours like rose, peach and watermelon offer apoint of difference, and lactose-free ice cream productscater for the dairy-intolerant consumer.

Biscuits The Cypriots are partial to a biscuit or two

with their morning coffee and they producea wide range of tempting snacks, which not

only constitute the bulk of biscuit products sold ingrocery outlets on the island but are also exported far andwide. The biscuits, often based on traditional recipes, aremanufactured in technologically-advanced factories withHACCP, ISO and Biocert certification – proof of thecompanies' dedication to quality in the workplace as wellas their products.

Cypriot producers are experienced in adapting to theever-changing demands of customers and are constantlycoming up with new novelty and niche biscuit products.They also manufacture many popular Europeanfavourites, from digestives, petit beurres and cream-filledwafers to chocolate, orange and hazelnut creams, whichare excellent value for money and exported worldwide viathe superb network of shipping and airline connections.Biscuit manufacturers have invested in new state-of-the- art equipment to ensure smooth operation and highstandards of quality. Their investment has significantlyincreased their production capacity and providedflexibility and higher product quality standards. Due tohigh market demand for their key brands the companies

have invested in high speed automated packingsystems which have considerably improved

their manufacturing efficiency. Theirfactories are designed with high

standards of hygiene and HACCPrequirements, which is extremelyimportant as they help to detect andminimise 'problematic' products andunsatisfied consumers.

Perhaps of special interest tospecialist fine food retailers and

delicatessen buyers are delicious andvery traditional Cypriot biscuits – loved

by the island's native population andgastronomic tourists, but not quite so well

known to the average foreign consumer. Typically,these varieties are based on traditional recipes andflavoured with ingredients synonymous with Cyprus,such as aniseed, tahini, sesame seeds, olive oil, cinnamon,almonds and raisins. Perfect for export to retailers ofspeciality food, they are attractively packaged and offer atruly tempting and exotic alternative.

Reduced sugar and low-fat biscuits are alsomanufactured in Cyprus to satisfy a strong marketdemand such as traditional cookies sweetened with grape

FRUIT ANDALCOHOLIC DRINKSFreshly-picked apples, oranges,lemons, peaches, grapes andgrapefruit provide just some of thequality fruit needed for fruit juicesand for the concentrates used in theproduction of the extensive rangeof fruit drinks that are now availableto the market. Additive-free juicedrinks are sold in varying sizes inattractively-designed Tetra-Pakcartons. Fruit-flavoured smoothiesare popular on the island and theseflavoursome long-life drinks, alongwith brightly-packagedfun ranges for children,are expected to bepopular buys inthe exportmarket. Notethat Cypriotproducers canoften tailorproducts to therequirements ofcustomers.Bottled naturalCyprus spring watercan add a point ofdifference to retailers' drinksranges, while those who prefer theirdrinks of the alcoholic variety willenjoy Zivania, Cyprus' unique, clearalcoholic beverage, distilled on theisland, which is particularly suitablefor pairing with Cyprus' traditionalmeat products. Alternatively,buyers searching for instantrefreshment or just wanting torekindle memories of a happyCyprus holiday, need look nofurther than the island's award-winning flavoursome beers.

SAVOURYPRODUCTSCrispy savoury snacks and croutonsare much in demand on the island.Consumers with a taste for savouryflavours will enjoy Cyprus'tempting selection andwide range ofinteresting andappetizing snacks.Crispy wheatsticks, vitamin-enriched rusks,sweet cookies,crisp cakes andcrisprolls offerinternationalconsumers thesnacks they enjoy,with a Cypriot spin.There are snacks with a realdifference too: look out for crispyolive rolls, cookies containing tahini,biscuits with raisins and almondsand crispy rolls with Halloumi.Cyprus offers consumers a widechoice of croutons, too. As well aswheat and whole wheat varieties,it's possible to buy bags of barleycroutons and croutons with olives.

HERBS AND TEAClimate and the altitude of theplantations contribute to makingCyprus a success story in theproduction of premium herbs andtea. Herbs grow readily and sell asquickly in modern packaging andattractive sachets. Others lendthemselves to the production ofteas, and herbal teas now availableare Anise, Sage, Nettle, Marjoram,Spearmint, Basil, Lavender,Chamomile and many more. In fact,

such is the island'ssuitability for growing

herbs, that deliciousteas of most

varieties are nowbeing offered.Producers ofthese herbaland organicteas believe

that thedifference is all in

the power of theherbs, the strength of

their flavour and theirdistinctive aroma. In the case of

herb products grown on the island,they say, only a small quantity isrequired to achieve the desiredresult. Both loose tea and pyramidshape tea bags are available in arange of flavours.

TRADITIONALMEAT PRODUCTSThe island's cold meats, oftenmarinated in dried coriander, seedsand local wine before being driedand smoked, offer meat counters

something truly flavoursomeand definitely different.

Cyprus traditionalsmoked ham has a

piquant taste anda pleasingtexture which isquite unlikeham productsavailable on the

foreignmarkets.

Among the localsmoked delicacies

produced and enjoyedon the island are Sheftalia

(ground pork or lamb sausage,mixed with fine chopped onionsand parsley and wrapped in caulfat), Lountza (pork loin), Hiromeri(back leg of pork), Posirti (bacon),traditional smoked sausages (madefrom rich red wine and aromaticspices) and Pastourmas (pepperedbeef sausage). While many of thesefull- flavoured meat products arestill made in the traditional way,investment in new machines andtechnology keeps up with theenormous demand. Whetherconsumed as part of a meal or astasty hors d'oeuvres, Cyprusmeats are ready to bring theirpleasing and quite unique flavoursto tables around the world.

“ With its balmy Mediterranean climate, shady tavernasand sun-drenched beaches, luxury ice cream is a summerfavourite in Cyprus, enjoyed by both tourists and locals. ”

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But the ice cream industry inCyprus has gone one step furthernow by offering all natural frozendessert for dogs, dairy and salt free, withno sugar or artificial ingredients added,

showcasing what innovation drivenbusinesses can deliver.

Chocolate Chocolates produced on the island of

Cyprus are internationally renowned fortheir outstanding quality. The countryis home to a handful of specialistproducers, lauded for their unique andhighly regarded products. One of the

companies exports its own hand-crafted, luxury chocolates all over the

world, filled with unique flavours of Cyprus.It utilizes locally-grown ingredients and herbs

from the sun-drenched island, such as rose water,walnuts, zivania, lemons, almonds and sweet black

cherries, to create a truly Cypriot delicacy.Cyprus is also a producer and exporter of high quality

couvertures, chocolate spreads and beautiful foil-wrapped chocolate Christmas and Easter gifts.

The species currently produced and sold in mostquantity are sea bream and sea bass. Freshwater fishcultured in Cyprus on a commercial basis includes rainbowtrout. The fisheries sector is an important one and, as said,a developing element in the economy especially of severalcoastal areas, since its significant business potentialsgenerate substantial income and work opportunities, thuscontributing to the social and economic welfare of thelocal residents.

Traditional SweetsCyprus produces a variety of traditional products thathave been passed on from generation to generation upuntil today. These products are still produced in largequantities, available for consumption in the local marketas well as exporting to international markets.

Homemade spoon sweets of Cyprus are many andvaried, but they are typically flavoured with the fragrantplants that grow in the region – sweet fig, rose water,lemons, almonds, carob, bergamot and masticha.

Other traditional products include:Soutzoukos (grape rolls), produced with almonds or

walnuts sewed onto cotton thread and dipped intopalouzes (thick like sweet jelly made from grape must andflour) several times for a number of days and then left todry and take its final form

Loukoumia Yeroskipou (Cyprus delights),traditional sweet product available in a rangeof diverse flavours including, rose,mandarin, orange, vanilla and chocolate.Loukoumi Yeroskipou is the firsttraditional food product of Cyprus toreceive an approval as a Product ofGeographic Indication underEU regulations

Carob products which have carob astheir main ingredient and examples ofthese products are carob syrup, pastelaki(peanut brittle), carob chocolate andcarob powder.

The range of quality products is broad andCypriot manufacturers pride themselves on offering greatvalue and high standards of product and service.Traditional products of Cyprus are still produced using thesame traditional methods preserving the exciting range ofexotic flavours, but new technology has come into useso as to improve quality, reduce cost and maintainhygiene standards in order to be able to compete ininternational markets.

Traditional sweets can be found in supermarkets,department stores, grocery stores, bakeries, hotels andrestaurants across Cyprus. After the manufacturingcompanies enlarged, they are now proud to be able tomeet the needs of international customers and exporthas taken an increasingly important share of the business.

tahini bread rolls, to bourekia withsweet filling of fresh unsalted Anaricheese mixed with sugar anddusted with icing sugar.

Products can be imported fromCyprus both as ambient products inattractive, modern packaging andfrozen. Along with coiled pitas andtubular rolini and pastry, Cypriotproducts all ready to furnishfreezers include everything frompizzas and pizza bases, ham, beefand chicken burgers to all kinds offinger food bites and crepes.Everything ready to be boiled orbaked and served within minutes.

DRIED NUTSAND FRUITCyprus has a huge appetite forsnacks: nuts and wheat-basedsnacks sell well and have provedpopular with both islanders andvisitors. Dry roasted nuts (bothsalted and unsalted), raw nuts, nut

brittle bars and packs of driedfruit, including dried figs,

prunes, cranberries,mango and dates

are all verypopular snacks.

Newvariations nowmaking anexciting

difference in themarket include

flavoured varietiesof nuts and also trail

mixes. Cyprus nutproducers place great

importance on the procurement ofthe best quality raw materials,which are subjected to strict qualitycontrol all throughout preparationprocedure.

A comprehensive Directoryof Exporters can be found onthe Cyprus High CommissionTrade Centre in Londonwebsite:www.cyprustrade.com

“Chocolates produced on the island of Cyprus areinternationally renowned for their outstanding quality”

top quality premium products, celebrated amongstfoodies and chefs for their superior flavour, thanks to thecountry's unique climate and superior soils. Cypriot blackand green olives, from native Cyprus olive trees, have areputation for being among the finest in the world.

The olive tree co-existed with the inhabitants ofCyprus from the Neolithic period (6th millennium BC) tothe present day. The cultivation of the olive tree beganduring the 2nd millennium BC but the earliest evidence ofproduction of olive oil on the island goes back to the endof the 13th century BC, the period to which the oldestolive presses that have been discovered in settlementsand temples date back.

Companies producing olive oil in Cyprus are underparticular supervision and control of specializedinternational companies and institutes issuing qualitycertificates, which guarantees the highest standards ofCypriot products. Cypriot extra virgin olive oil is wellknown for having a magnificent gold colour, influenced bythe perfect climatic and soil conditions of Cyprus. In thepast decade an increasing number of Cypriot olive oilmanufacturers have been producing organic olive oil andpromoting it with fascinating branding, expanding thealready great variety of Cypriot olive oil.

Farmed fishThe commercial fishery sector in Cyprus comprisesprincipally marine capture fishery and aquaculturealthough there is some recreational fishing providing goodangling for locals and visitors. With limited fresh wateravailability, aquaculture in Cyprus mainly refers to marinewith open sea cage culture used. After some years ofresearch, the first marine fish fattening unit, which usedland based coastal installations, commenced operations in1988. The first commercial fish farm started production inCyprus in 1991.

Today, the commercial fishery sector of Cyprus isconsisted of offshore cage fish farms, marine hatcheriesand shrimp farms. The latter adopt unique biotechnologytechniques and produce a significant share of the totalproduction from aquaculture in the Mediterranean. Themain species of marine fish farmed on a commercial basisare the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), European seabass (Dicentrachus labrax), and Northern bluefin tuna(Thunnus thynnus) with significant quantities ofSharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo), Shi drum(Umbrina cirrosa), Japanese sea bream (Pagrus major)and Red porgy (Pagrus pagrus).

SNACK, BAKERY ANDFROZEN PRODUCTSRetailers in various markets arenow discovering that Cyprus alsoexports some fantastic snacks andbakery, products which aresufficiently tasty and original toexcite their interest. From coiled andstuffed pitas to pasta with adifference and lots of high qualityfrozen foods to tempt jaded palates,a unique combination of taste andconvenience awaits every retailer.

While people nowdays spentmore time away from home, it is notsurprising that Cyprus hasdeveloped a great number ofinteresting and toothsome snacksto keep hunger at bay throughoutthe day, providing excitingalternatives to the run of the millcroissants and rolls of the standardContinental breakfast often eaten.

There’s plenty to choose from,too, whatever time of day the snackis taken. The most well known areof course, the delicious koupeswhich are bulgur croquettes filledwith mince meat or mushrooms.Tasty pitas are made in a coil and areavailable filled with local cheese,cream and with spinach grown onthe island. Rolini are another snackwhose appeal to customers is likelyto be broad. These small, tubularsnacks are also available in spinachand cheese, cream and cheesevarieties and also filled with olives.Puff pastries enjoy a hugepopularity and among the formatswhich can be easily exported toretailers are bite-sized pastries inapple, almond, cheese, cheese withham, Halloumi and sausagevarieties. From crispy breadsticks,croutons, bags of wheat and ryerusks, olive rolls and raisin toasts, tocrackers, rice cakes and bread rollsflavoured with orange, anise andhoney, many of theseattractive productshave already provenpopular withtastes abroad.

Flavoursomefillings are verypopular withCypriots andotherconsumers cannow find out why.Of particular noteto people wishing toring the changes withtheir pasta is Cyprus’s ravioli,which may be filled with Halloumicheese or spinach and cheese.Pasta is also available in all the usualshapes, from fusilli and macaroni torigatoni and vermicelli.

And if that taste is for sweetthings, then there is plenty here tosatisfy that demand too. The islandproduces a wide variety of sweetdelicacies, from the vegan option of

Some innovative manufacturers have utilised well-knownsuperfoods to create luxury chocolates with healthbenefits – one uses single cacao beans from SouthAmerica, which are harvested and stored under carefullycontrolled hygienic conditions and then processed in aunique, gentle way, without the use of chemicals. Thisresults in a luxurious-tasting, natural and delicious endproduct, much higher in flavanoids, amino acids andantioxidants than other types of chocolate. The product isfurther enhanced with the addition of Cyprus royal jelly,which also contains many powerful and essentialantioxidants and amino acids with reputed health andbeauty-boosting properties.

Olive oilCyprus is particularly renowned for its high quality oliveoils. With groves aplenty, its oils are already recognised as

A Taste of CyprusA Taste of Cyprus

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