Local Products

The area of Psiloritis is stockbreeding due to its mountainous morphology. Stockbreeding is still a traditional activity with ancient roots that offers a rich production of meat, milk and dairy products. Apart from the rock build shepherds' shelters (mitato) (place for the production of dairy products), dairy production and standardization takes place in fully equipped and modern industrial units. At the lowlands, agricultural production is mainly based on the cultivation of olive trees. The olive oil that is being produced across the area of Psiloritis is of excellent quality. North Mylopotamos plays an important part due to the extensive cultivation of the variety called "koroneiki" as well as the fact that the olive oil produced here has been characterized as a product of protected destination of origin. During the past years the olive oil is being offered standardized by several co-operations or businesses. Some edible varieties that stand out are the ones of the savory of Ampadia in Amari (product of protected destination of origin) and the olive called "stafidolia" of Marathos at Malevizi. The vineyard cultivation is widespread in Amari, Mylopotamos and especially around the area of Malevizi, where the local wine is produced. According to researchers, this wine refers to the variety of Malvazia of the medieval times. Due to the bountiful quantities of wild herbs and especially thyme, apiculture is widely developed across the basal parts of Psiloritis Mountain. In the area of Sises in Mylopotamos and Fodele in Malevizi, there are boundless fields of orange trees that keep the economic life of the area alive. The cultivation of citruses is wide spread in the wider area of Garazos. In the area of Livadi at Krousonas grow delicious pears and apples. In Gerakari and Meronas villages in the area of Amari as well as Veni village at Mylopotamos, the cherries and the morellos are unique in taste. Wild herbs prevail in the landscape and are used not only as brews but also for cooking. At Sises village the residents collect a wild herb called "aladanos" during summer. At the coastal zone, fishery still remains one of the main occupations of the locals (Panormo, Bali, Sises villages). The visitor can also buy handmade products with local goods and recipes, such as barley rusks, Cretan rusks, broidered rusks, desserts, sour frumenty that can be found at co-operations, convenience stores or specialized shops in large dorps. The dairy products (fresh or dry cheese called "mizithra" or "kefalograviera" (hard cheese)) of the area, the olive oil, the honey, the wine the raki as well as the pure water of Pano Riza that can be bottled are all of exceptional quality.

Folk arts that are still preserved, offer handmade works of art. At Margarites village the art of pottery is blooming. The telary traditions of Anogia and Aksos villages are kept alive. In Alpha and Laga villages at Mylopotamos the traditional stone makers still practice the craft of stone dressing. At Vizari village in Amari as well as Anogia village, we will come across workshops of wood sculpture, at Kalogeros village the pottery workshop and at Apostolous village the stone dressing workshop. At Zaros there is a workshop of telary, while at Gergeri village there are still craftsmen that work with wood as well as traditional basket makers at Nivritos village. At Zaros and Gergeri villages there are two exceptional instrument making workshops, while at Ano Meros of Amari there is a Baskin shop.

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