Kumquat
This small citrus fruit originating from China, introduced for the first time in Corfu by an English agronomist, is today one of the gastronomic symbols of the island. Entirely edible, it is available in fruit pastes, liqueurs, jams and other sweets. You can fill up at Mavromatis, Michail Theotoki Street in Corfu Chora. In Corfu, the Mavromatis factory in the village of Skripero has been in existence since 1965 and produces 8 tons of drinks and 30 tons of desserts every year in its distillery. You can also try the "mandola", cookies with almonds and kumquats, which are as crunchy as you like. To see firsthand how the island's kumquat liqueur is made, visit the Lazaris distillery in the Ethniki Achilleiou area, south of the capital. Here you will find liqueurs, creams, conflict fruits, sweets, jam and even soaps. These citrus fruits have definitely dethroned the lemon or the orange! You will also find excellent kumquat liqueurs and sweets at Papagiorgis, on Theotoki Nikiforou Street, in Corfu City, where three generations reinvent its flavors in sweets to be enjoyed on the spot or to take away.
Honey
As the third largest producer in Europe, Greece offers an often exceptional "nectar of the gods". Its quality is due to the country's impressive biodiversity. And the risks of buying fake honey are lower than elsewhere, since Greek bees escape - for the time being - the hecatomb seen in our country. In the Ionian Islands, some of the best honey in Greece can be found in the small beekeepers of Zakinthos. Stop by Giatras Bros. on Lombardou Street in the capital. The family also has a small factory in the village of Panagoula, 1 km from the city of Zakinthos, so you can learn the secrets of making the little delicacies made from almonds and honey. If you don't want to take a jar of liquid honey that won't fit in your hand luggage, you can also find in this store on the port mantolato (nougat), pastels (sesame bars with honey), mantoles (caramelized almonds).
Tea and spices
The Greeks drink very little tea, but they make a lot of infusions from local herbs. The most common is called "tsai tou vounou", literally "tea of the mountain". It is the Sideritis, a plant growing above 1,000 m altitude on the rocky soils of the southern Balkans. Praised by Hippocrates in the 4th century BC, it is reputed, in Kythera, to prevent and relieve colds, flu and certain allergies. In Greece, it is declined in various varieties to which one lends different virtues. Each island has its own according to its biodiversity. Dried, this "tea" can be kept for two years and the leaves, the yellow flowers and the stems are infused. It is easily available in markets, herbalist shops and some gourmet stores. Usually sold in 40-50 g batches, the package is quite bulky (30 to 40 cm high) but very light to carry and costs about 2 €. Even lighter, local spices are a way to keep a travel scent at home. At Sweet'n'Spicy Bahar Shop, on Agias Sofias street, in Corfu Chora, you'll find nearly 60 spices and blends with a nice local share (oregano, spices for bourdeto, sofrito...). If you fall on a market day, mingle with the locals and get your fill of aromas.
Olive oil
The Greeks have had it in their blood since the Neolithic period and still hold the world record in terms of consumption: 24 liters of olive oil per year and per capita! That's ten times more than the French. Although the country is only the3rd largest producer in the world (behind Spain and Tunisia), the quality/price ratio cannot be compared with the imported olive oils found in France. As for varieties, Greece is home to 80 types of olives, 25 of which are used for oil. If the most famous producing region is the Peloponnese with the immense "sea of olive trees" of Kalamata (more than 40 million trees), 20 production areas have a PDO in Greece. But there are also the magnificent oils of the monasteries, those of small organic producers, or those pressed by families themselves, sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet. You will have a vast choice. Depending on the space you have left in your luggage, you can choose between the small vial for tourists and the 5 liter container.
Greek fashion and designers
For a glimpse of the local production, head to Chez Muses, on Michail Theotoki Street, in Corfu Chora. More than just Corfu products, it is the whole of Greek fashion that can be found in this elegant boutique. This "concept store" prides itself on bringing together the best Greek designers. It is an opportunity for the visitor to discover new Greek designers on a single rack. It's a bit expensive, but it's a nice brand of clothes. As for souvenirs, you will also find here some original and still affordable objects such as coasters in the shape of small Greek butters - the famous "Papadopoulos" - or nice original plates. On the island of Paxos, at Antigoni, in Lakka, a colorful and neat store offers wool clothes, leather sandals, leather bags and other pareos of the same quality. Here too, the entire collection comes from small Greek artisans and designers. Antigone loves colors and beautiful materials, and always knows how to give you good advice and takes the time to choose Greek products of beautiful workmanship. You will find for example some necklaces, rings, bracelets and sandals, among others. The owner has great taste and a really incredible selection of shoes!
Bags and embroidery
Designed in Corfu and marketed internationally, the amazing Salty Bags, handmade from old sails, are available at the brand's workshop in Erotokritou Moraiti Street. These are trendy bags, clutches and wallets made from recycled boat sails made in Corfu itself and exceptional eco-friendly pieces that will make great gifts for you or your loved ones. Otherwise, Giota Papailiopoulou also designs city and vacation bags made of waxed canvas as well as camera bags. In Kythera, at Borse, in the alleys of the Chora, you will find nice surprises. In this colorful store, beautiful woven bags, clutches, purses... Everything is handcrafted by Kyriaki at the loom, an ancestral tradition that she wanted to bring up to date, with a resolutely contemporary touch. Her hand-woven sandals and bags (with beautiful photos taken in Kythera) are already an invitation to travel. For something more traditional, head to Lefkada. If you go to the beautiful village of Karia, you can buy beautiful laces, embroideries and tapestries. The women of the village still make them in a traditional way for centuries. You can see some of the works in the folklore museum or at Karsaniko Kentima, "the" embroidery of Karia, which perpetuates the technique of "Karian stitch", famous throughout Greece and beyond. In this village store near Lefkada, you will find beautiful embroideries handmade on the island. Tablecloths, bedspreads, pillowcases, stoles, lace clothes: you can find beautiful and unique pieces and at the same time encourage the women who keep the island's tradition alive. The website, in French, also allows you to buy and have your items delivered abroad.
Jewelry
If you can find everywhere on the Ionian Islands original charms with the "mati" (the Greek lucky eye) or another olive branch, there are also craftsmen who work with silver with real talent. At George Apergis in Lakka, Paxos, George and his wife run their jewelry store with love. They create and make jewelry sets, repair your objects, or even elaborate jewelry on order. Every year, the regulars find new creations in gold or silver. Even if they don't have your size in the store, they can re-cut the jewelry in a few minutes. This is an excellent address to buy a beautiful gift in Paxos, at very affordable prices.
Ceramic
Another Greek specialty: pottery, and more specifically ceramics. For an artisanal offer, head to Myrto Zirini, on Arseniou Street, in Corfu Chora, in the Mouragia district. Facing the sea, Myrto has his own small ceramic workshop. Located in the heart of the old town in an old house, this renowned ceramist makes here serving utensils and home decorations in a beautiful design and with a perfect finish. The place is worth a visit with beautiful containers, bowls, plates, lamps... The pastel colors and rounded shapes make them unique pieces, and original gifts.
Icons
Would you like to bring back a pious image? For icons, forget the stores and stalls in the tourist areas and go back to the source! For a painted icon (from 20 to 1 000 €), go first to the monasteries. Because it is important to know: to have the status of a sacred image, a work of art must have been created by a monk and/or a pious person. In the big cities, some specialized stores offer images from Mount Athos and other prestigious monasteries. This is the case in Athens, in Pandrossou Street (Monastiraki) and in the Byzantine and Christian Museum. If you can't go to the capital, look out for the small stores that are sometimes attached to the monasteries that you will visit. And if icons don't tempt you, these stores are also full of various local souvenirs: resin incense, sticks or grains, honey, bracelets, even wine.
Small memories
But it may already be time to leave. Time has flown and you're not big on shopping? Or maybe you just need to find that last minute gift to thank so-and-so? To finish up and make a stop, just before heading to the airport, here is a store that lives up to its name in Corfu: My Piece of Greece, on Gerasimou Prifti Street, which offers original souvenirs that are mostly made in Greece (for a change). The design of the objects, cups, pouches, coasters, is sought after and resolutely more contemporary. Bags from Greek designers as well as gift bags with Greek products are on sale, enough to make nice gifts! There is something for every taste and price, from magnets for your fridge to designer rings, mugs and organic beauty products. A real favorite with objects not seen elsewhere.
