Apart from great monuments and unique natural beauty, the region of Epidaurus also boasts a wide range of local products.
Due to the exceptional climate of the area, almost all year round, the temperatures are mild and pleasant, without extreme weather conditions. Combined with the ground surface, the coastal expanses, the abundant water resources and the fertile land, this explains why almost all the Mediterranean products thrive in Epidaurus.
All types of agricultural products are available by the local market and farmers at any time of the year.
The land offers a wide range of savoury fruit, such as oranges, lemons, mandarins, grapefruits, peaches, apricots, figs, pomegranates, pears, watermelons and cantaloupes.
All types of vegetables are grown in open-air vegetable gardens, and not greenhouses, all year round: tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, okra, zucchinis, amaranth, lettuce, onions, garlic, spinach, chards, fennel, cauliflower, cabbage and leaks.
Large areas and many hills are covered by dense olive groves, which produce a wide range of edible olives and top-quality extra virgin olive oil. As a matter of fact, in the area of Lygourio, olive oil is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product.
Herbs are another widely available product that grows on the hills, ready for collection, including oregano, thyme, mint, summer savory, etc.
Apart from agricultural products, mild livestock farming is another activity of the area, with free-range lambs and pigs, which offer delectable local meat. The milk produced is being processed in small dairy farms that operate in the area of Trachia.
Some of the local dairy products include “kefalograviera” cheese, butter, “myzithra” cheese, feta cheese and yogurt. These are produced by experienced cheese makers, who combine tradition with top-quality goat and sheep milk from animals that feed on wild grass and thyme.
Some smaller family units breed free-range chickens, which they sell to the local market, along with free-range eggs.
Due to the rich flora, the honey of the area is available from local beekeepers in different flavors (thyme, pine, floral, etc.), depending on the time of the year.
The coastal areas host many fishing boats, which offer a wide array of fish throughout the year.
Other widely available local products include jams, marmalades and compotes, as well as tasty traditional products such as sauces, pickles, trahana, hilopita noodles, etc.
Finally, there are many traditional wood-fired ovens in the area that produce fresh sourdough bread, as well as a range of traditional baked goods.
