PASTELI (Authentic SESAME SNACK)

Herodotus mentions pasteli [History G΄ (Thaleia) § 48] - pasteli is a sweet snack with invigorating qualities, which promotes fertility.  Similar references to pasteli are made during the Byzantine years, showing its importance in the eating habits of people back then.

The traditional pasteli from Zevgolatio, Messinia, is still one of the most popular Pasteli brands in the Greek market. It appeared in the ‘20s, when it was offered cut in diamond-shaped pieces to the passers-by and the train passengers, who savoured it with a glass of Kalamata raki or some fresh water, while waiting their train.

Since the Mid-war period, when pasteli was sold at the train station and celebrations on a wooden board without wrapper, many things have changed; Pasteli nowadays, still equally delicious and popular, is packed with the most modern standardization methods but always following the traditional procedures. With its main ingredients being sesame and pure honey, it is still produced in Zevgolatio, Messinia, with the same love and faith to tradition and is offered to consumers in 6 different types.

This local traditional sweet snack is nutritious, rich in vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and iron. It helps fight cholesterol, exhaustion, insomnia and has been considered an excellent aphrodisiac since the times of Herodotus! It can be consumed by people at all ages, since it has pure ingredients of high quality and no conservatives, helping the good function of the body. Especially sesame is an excellent ingredient that strengthens the immune system; in fact, in ancient Greece and China sesame extracts were used to fight hypertension and make medicine.

Pasteli is one of the most important traditional products of our region, inseparable from the Mediterranean food culture and tradition. This is why it is supported and promoted by “Fooditerranean".

Panagiota KARAMPATOU – PAPADOPOULOU

Pasteli producer & trader