Kalymnos Local products

Discover the local products of Kalymnos!

The island of Kalymnos offers a wide selection of fine local products. Referred to as the Sponge Diver Island, Kalymnos has long been known for its production and trade of high-quality, natural sea sponges. Diverse in their form, color, and size, the sponges of Kalymnos remain the island’s most coveted product, used not just for personal hygiene but also in the bioengineering and pharmaceutical industries. Stroll around the picturesque alleys of Kalymnos and you will find many local shops specializing in sponges.

Another highly popular product found in Kalymnos is its pure thyme honey. Found in most traditional shops and bakeries on the island, Kalymnian honey has been recognized since antiquity for its rich flavors and excellent quality. It is made with fresh thyme that grows on many of the mountains on the island, which affords it its thick texture and vibrant taste. A variety of cheeses are also produced on the island. Those include the delicious kopanisti cheese, myzithra cheese, and the local favorite kalathaki, a salty, semi-hard cheese.

The famous sun-dried wine of Kalymnos is known as anama. Made with two different wine varieties, Moschato and Fokiano, it boasts a sweet taste and a wonderful aroma. The eptazimo bread is a product of Byzantine origin and is kneaded with ouzo and anise (a local plant). The island is also well known for its fresh citrus fruits, fish, and grapes.

Kalymnos is ideal for tasting some flavorful delicacies made with native ingredients. Mermizeli is a local salad similar to the traditional Greek salad that uses kouloures, a dried homemade barley rusk, as its base. The delectable octopus meatballs are widely popular among locals, while the stuffed vine leaves known as fila are the island’s unique version of dolmades. In several pastry shops, you can find many sweets like baklava, homemade cookies, and cream pies. The waterfront taverns offer a wide choice of seafood and local wine.