A Guide to Delectable Greek Chocolate Treats and Desserts

The Origins of Greek Chocolate

Greece has a long and rich history when it comes to food. The ancient Greeks cultivated olive trees, vines, and other crops that formed the backbone of Mediterranean cuisine for centuries. As trade networks expanded over land and sea, new ingredients made their way into Greek kitchens, including cocoa beans from the New World.

The first chocolate shops opened in Greece in the mid-19th century. Greek confectioners began experimenting by combining local flavors like nuts, honey, yogurt, and fruits with imported chocolate. Out of this culinary cross-pollination, a unique Greek spin on chocolate treats was born.

How Yogurt Influenced Greek Chocolate

Yogurt is integral to Greek cuisine and culture. Thick, strained yogurt forms the base for classic dips, drinks, and desserts like tzatziki sauce and baklava ice cream. It was only natural for Greek chocolate makers to incorporate this beloved dairy product into chocolate confections.

The tangy lactic acid of yogurt contrasts beautifully with the bittersweet or milk chocolate flavors. Greek yogurt also lends a lush, creamy texture and helps chocolate melt smoothly on the tongue. Using Greek yogurt allows confectioners to cut back on butter, cream, or other fats without sacrificing moisture and indulgence.

Popular Ingredients in Greek Chocolate Treats

While Greek chocolate incorporates local flavors, certain ingredients make frequent appearances across different recipes and regions:

• Nuts like almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, and walnuts
• Honey for sweetness and floral notes
• Spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and anise
• Fruits and jams like figs, oranges, cherries, and strawberries
• Phyllo dough that adds flaky, buttery layers
• Mastiha, a resin with a unique sweet and piney flavor

These indigenous ingredients meld beautifully with chocolate while showcasing the diversity of Greek landscapes and harvests.

Popular Greek Chocolate Treats

From chocolate-dipped cookies to fancy confections, here are a few beloved Greek chocolate specialties you must try:

Melomakarona – Christmas Honey Cookies

These spiced, oval-shaped cookies get dipped in a citrus-scented syrup before getting dusted in chopped walnuts and powdered sugar. Their sweet, crispy shells give way to moist, honey-kissed interiors.

Baklava

One can never get enough of this iconic Greek pastry! Sweet phillo layers get stacked with chopped nuts in between and held together by butter and syrup or honey. The diamond-cut baklava pieces then get baked until golden and drenched in chocolate for good measure.

Yogurt Chocolate Bars

Greek yogurt chocolate bars deliver the best of both worlds – rich chocolate and tangy, creamy yogurt. Popular recipes call for mixing Greek yogurt into the chocolate base before pouring into molds or spreading into pans. Sometimes nuts, fruits, or crunchy toppings get mixed in too for irresistible texture and flavor contrast. These bars make for perfect portable snacks or desserts.

Tsoureki

Braided sweet bread gets its unique flavor and bright yellow hue from saffron and Mahlep seeds or cherry syrup. Tsoureki bread often contains chocolate chunks too. Slices of this Easter bread get toasted and served with spreads like Nutella or fruit compotes.

Yogurt Bark

This trendy Greek fusion features yogurt poured over chocolate bark made from tempered chocolate. Once set, you get a crunchy, bittersweet chocolate base topped with a smooth, tangy yogurt layer. Yogurt barks play with mix-ins too – fruits, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, cereal bits...anything goes!

Where to Buy Greek Chocolate

You can find Greek chocolate treats at:

Greek Bakeries and Confectioners

Stop by a Greek neighborhood or settlement and check out old-school bakeries, patisseries, and candy shops. These maestros hand-make regional chocolate and candy recipes passed down for generations.

Grocery Store Imports

Specialty food stores and international grocery aisles stock hard-to-find imports like baklava blocks, yogurt chocolate bars, and other treats straight from Greece.

Online Greek Food Shops

Can’t easily access Greek markets? Order chocolate loukoumades, yogurt barks, halva, and other items online and get them conveniently shipped.

Make Them at Home!

You can DIY Greek chocolate too with recipes for tsoureki, melomakarona cookies, Greek chocolate bark with yogurt, and more!

How To Store and Serve Greek Chocolate

Follow these tips to store Greek chocolate properly and serve it like a pro:

Storage

• Keep baklava, melomakarona, and butter-based pastries refrigerated.
• Store candy, bark, nuts, and dried fruit at room temp in airtight containers.
• Seal chocolate bars tightly and store away from direct light in cool, dark spaces like pantries.
• Freeze yogurt barks and other perishable items to extend shelf life.

Serving Suggestions

• Let baklava and pastry thaw for 30 minutes before serving if refrigerated.
• Drizzle loukoumades, crepes, and ice cream with chocolate syrup.
• Enjoy chocolate bark and candy with tea, coffee, or milk.
• Garnish Greek yogurt or fruit salads with crumbled or shaved chocolate bark.

With its perfect blend of rich chocolate and unique Mediterranean zest, Greek chocolate makes for a memorable culinary experience. Once you try it, you too will be hooked on its addictive flavors!

FAQs

What ingredients are commonly used in Greek chocolate recipes?

Nuts like almonds, pistachios, and walnuts are very popular. Greek chocolate also incorporates lots of honey, spices like cinnamon and cardamom, fruits and jams, phyllo dough, and mastiha resin.

What are some classic Greek chocolate desserts I should try?

Baklava, melomakarona honey cookies, tsoureki sweet bread, loukoumades doughnut holes, yogurt chocolate bars, and chocolate fruit barks are some top picks.

Where can I buy quality Greek chocolate?

Check Greek bakeries, international food markets, online Greek gourmet shops, and even make Greek chocolate treats from scratch at home.

How do I properly store Greek chocolate pastries and confections?

Refrigeration works best for butter-heavy pastries while chocolate bars stay fresh sealed at room temperature in a cool, dark space. Freeze more perishable items like yogurt barks.