" MEZEDHES"

" CYPRUS HORS-D OEUVRES"

It is almost essentrial that for every Cypriot who drinks wine or any other 

alchoholic drink, to havef them. some thing to pick in front of them. That 

something is called " Meze" and it could be anything from meats, fish and 

all types of salad.

This custom began hundreds of years ago, when the majority of men where hard 

grafters i.e farmers or cattlemen, and they only drank on special occasions .

Such occassions were usually feast " Weddings, engagement, special religious days".

Once they had an excuse they were not content to drink in moderation, One had to  drink

a considerable amount of alcohol to really "feast". 

This lasted for hours on end and on some occasions all day. They took the time eating 

and drinking, they sang songs and told jokes, they " philosophised" about life. 

These delicacies, which were produced unceasingly by the housewifes and her children,

were always served in small quantities, and cut in small pieces. During such "gathering" or

"feast" the host was out to present the best food and drink, which they saved with care for 

these special occasions.