ANCIENT FOODS ORGANIC CRETAN THYME HONEY & KERÓS ORGANIC GREEK OLIVE OIL

So much of the Greek diet (also known as the Mediterranean diet) is essentially unchanged across the millennia. By experiencing naturally grown and prepared Greek cuisine, we’re not just sampling food, we’re sampling culture and history as well.

That’s the ethos of Ancient Foods, which seeks out culinary artisans in far-flung corners of the globe who care about tradition as much as they care about the food they make. In this month’s box you’ll find a pair of staples that wouldn’t be out of place in a Greek kitchen of 3,000 years ago —olive oil and honey, both prepared as naturally and organically as they have been for countless generations.

The Kerós USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from trees as old as 1,000 years,on Mount Taygetos outside of Sparta. The older the tree, the more antioxidants and heart-healthy phenols in the olives, and in the olive oil. But health benefits aside, this is a truly extraordinary tasting olive oil, good enough to be used by Michelin starred chefs and restaurants... and now you too. Cold pressed and unfiltered, it’s perfect for baking, sautéing, drizzling, or dipping. Its elegant herbal, buttery flavor, with a slightly spicy finish, will liven up anything from fish dishes to pizza to salad, or even an olive oil cake.

Ancient Foods’ Organic Cretan Thyme Honey has a similar pedigree as the olive oil —it’s both historic and mouthwateringly tasty. It’s raw, unprocessed, unheated, and sustainably collected, just as honey has always been in Crete, from where it comes. The terroir of Crete plays a big role in creating its flavor. The southernmost island in Greece, Crete’s climate is hot and arid, despite being surrounded by the Mediterranean. The hillsides of the coastal town of Sitia, from which the honey comes, have acres of lush thyme flowers. And it’s from these fields that the bees get their pollen and make a honey with a distinct aroma of thyme flowers; an intense, savory-sweet, slightly earthy flavor on the palate; and a lovely, sweet finish. Baked in desserts, spread on toast, added to savory dishes, mixed into salad dressings... there’s no wrong way to enjoy this honey. But we recommend tasting a small spoonful on its own first —unless you have a plane ticket, it’s the next best way to experiencing the island of Crete.