Sifnos Local products

Sifnos is known for its high-quality local products, some of which have been produced on the island for hundreds of years. One of the staples of Sifnos is its long-standing pottery tradition. Since ancient times, inhabitants of the island have practiced the art of pottery-making, crafting products for both functional and decorative purposes. Today you will find many pottery shops scattered throughout the island that uphold this centuries-old tradition and sell a variety of pottery items. Those include pots, cups, trays, and other cooking utensils, along with plenty of decorative clay vessels.

The Sifnian cuisine has been heavily influenced by the island’s pottery tradition, characterized by the use of clay pots and ovens to make heavenly tasteful stews and casseroles. Some of the most famous Sifnian food specialties are the mastelo, which is oven-roast lamb, the revithada, which is a chickpea soup and local tasty cheese such as manouri and myzithra. The famous chef Nikolaos Tselementes notably originated from the island of Sifnos and is considered one of the most influential cookery writers in modern Greece.

The island also produces many palatable sweets, such as loukoumia (Turkish delight), amygdalota fournou (oven-baked marzipan) and pasteli (roasted caramel with sesame seeds). Another must-try is loli, a sweet pumpkin pie made with yellow pumpkin and flavored with cinnamon and orange among other ingredients. Melopita is a type of gingerbread, made with cheese and honey, and is usually enjoyed during Easter.

Thyme honey of excellent quality can be found in many Cycladic islands, including Sifnos. Honey production is relatively small in size and quantity and heavily depends on the weather conditions. However, the end product has still made its way into the hearts of locals and visitors alike, boasting a golden hue and unparalleled scent thanks to the thymes that are plentiful on the island. A variety of aromatic traditional wines are also made in Sifnos, mostly from small-scale local producers.

Other fine local products of Sifnos include olives, olive oil, almonds, fresh onions, capers, succulent figs, sage, oregano, sesame seeds, and scented citrus fruits.