Cretan Super Food
Stamnagathi Wild Greens
Spiny Chicory
For hundreds of years, the Cretan people have been eating the wild greens abundant from their even wilder mountains.
Many of the greens are often simply called horta. Many wild greens including stamnagathi exist around the Mediterranean basin, in countries such as Italy, Malta and Turkey.
Although, like many plants, there is a stamnagathi that is endemic and unique to Crete. This is a sweet and bitter wild green. This sweet-bitter component is what contains its magical properties. This herb in mainly found on or near the Omalos Plateau, in the White Mountains in the west of Crete.
This nutrient rich Spiny Chicory is now being recognised for its many medicinal as well as culinary benefits; also being validated by science. Our stomachs are saying “told you so!”.
The Cichorium spinosum or Spiny chicory is a wild green that has long spiny leaves. When young these are tender and perfect for eating. It is rich in vitamins E and C, Omega 3 fats, as well as a high concentration of calcium and iron.
Eaten raw, it is ideal for the detoxification of the liver. It reduces blood glucose as well as being a strong natural diuretic. It is said to have slimming properties.
Since ancient times, stamnagathi wild greens have been used as a medicine, being recognised for its antiseptic and anti-rheumatic properties.
Cretans have boiled the leaves of stamnagathi as a remedy for stomach ache. Known for increasing the defence of the peptic system from various diseases, such as liver, gallbladder and kidney deficiencies.
Believed to be one of the Cretan hidden keys to long life and well-being.
