The other day, we were with some friends discussing Great Lent and some of the challenges associated with fasting. As we enjoyed our lively conversation, we enjoyed something else a little more. One of our friends offered us a Lenten treat that we had forgotten, and now, we would like to resurrect that treat for you. We were offered a tall glass of cold water with a spoon of white goo in it. At first look, it seemed to be an undiluted mixture that we would have to stir to enjoy. But, then, our gracious host announced that through fasting periods, he offers his guests a glass of water with Vanilia (Βανίλια) in it.
This is a brilliant idea for a treat! It is appropriate for fasting periods, fills any sweet tooth that one may have, and it is a lot of fun to eat. There are, however, many people who do not know exactly what Βανίλια is or how to eat it. We will share with you some of the points, and then, you, too, can share some of this delightful spoon sweet with your friends and family!
This is Vanilia spoon sweet. The label, interestingly states that it is "Unique homestyle country fruit preserves" even though we know vanilla is not a fruit (the vanilla bean is actually the pod from a tropical orchid flower). There are many flavours of Greek spoon sweets available, both fruit and non-fruit. Some of the flavours include berries, bitter oranges, bergamot, or even rose petals. There are so many varieties! Often, with fruits preserved in sugar like a spoon sweet, the fruit is of a bitter or sour nature to compensate for the sweet, sugary preserves. But, when vegetables are used, they are chosen for the soft texture more than the specific flavours.
One of the more popular flavours of "Gliko Tou Koutaliou" (spoon sweet) is the vanilla. But, it is not a vanilla that you may think -- like a vanilla bean. It is actually called "Vanilia" and comes flavoured with a flavour that comes from the sap of a lentisk tree. In Ancient Greece, the sap was called mastic; in Greek, it is μαστίχα which, when translated directly, means "to chew." (think of the word masticate--to chew) That sap was originally what was used like chewing gum. Later, it was used to flavour chewing gum, and the name "masticha" stuck with the flavour to mean "to chew" (masticate). We know that Βανίλια is not something to be chewed, but rather licked and enjoyed.
When you are serving this, you need only a spoonful. It is possible that someone may balk at the idea of sugar on a spoon, but in the bigger picture, it is only one spoonful of sugar compared to multiple spoons full in a baked dessert or a candy. The sweet fragrance starts right out of the gate when one opens the bottle, and you may think, "Yum," like we did, anticipating the sweet flavour. It has been a very long time since we have had this treat, and it was a nice throwback to childhood.
Taking a spoonful of this, you will notice that the texture is a little gummy. Perhaps that comes from the tradition of this treat being made from the sap of the Lentisk Tree that would be sticky and gummy. But, we now know that the flavour masticha is the from the sap, and the sticky texture is from the sugar. When we first spooned this, we made the association with fondant icing on a cake, which is pliable but sticky. You may think of something else. Regardless, since you are keeping this on the spoon, it will not matter how sticky the Βανίλια is.
Start with a tall glass of very cold water. You do not want ice in the water, but you want it cold like ice water. This glass serves three purposes for our treat. First, the glass of water is a great vehicle in which to serve the Βανίλια to your guests. Some people know this treat as a vanilla submarine. That name comes from the idea that the spoon with the Βανίλια is submerged in the water like a submarine.
Secondly, the glass of water will keep the Βανίλια in place on the spoon without losing any of the treat. The spoonful of Βανίλια stands in the glass of water which makes it easier to lick the spoon, dip it back in the cold water to make the Βανίλια cold and solid again, then another lick of the spoon, dip back in the water to make cold again. This is really the process of eating the treat.
Lastly, the water helps wash down the mouthful of sugar! As you can see in the picture, the glyko (sweet) has been licked away and the water consumed. Yes, sugar is a treat, but sometimes, it may be powerful and you need to wash it down with something. There is nothing like a cold glass of water to accompany a perfectly flavoured treat such as Βανίλια. And, as the spoon sits in the water, some of the glyko will dissolve in the water, and at the end, you will have very gently flavoured water.
Had it not been for a friend to re-introduce us to this delightful, simple treat, we may have forgotten about it or categorized it with treats for children. But, adults can enjoy this easily, and with very little guilt about calories or sugars. Some have noted that this can be used as a topping for ice cream or cakes, but, traditionally it is a spoon sweet, so enjoy it as it is. After all, it is only one spoonful!
Source of image: http://orthodoxchurchquotes.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/st-nektarios-4.jpg
“A Christian must be courteous to all. His words and deeds should breath with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which abides in his soul, so that in this way he might glorify the name of God. He who regulates all of his speech also regulates all of his actions. He who keeps watch over the words he is about say also keeps watch over the deeds he intends to do, and he never goes out of the bounds good and benevolent conduct. The graceful speech of a Christian is characterized by delicateness and politeness. This fact, born of love, produces peace and joy. On the other hand, boorishness gives birth to hatred, enmity, affliction, competitiveness, disorder and wars.”
St. Nektarius of Aegina, The Path to Happiness
When you are serving this, you need only a spoonful. It is possible that someone may balk at the idea of sugar on a spoon, but in the bigger picture, it is only one spoonful of sugar compared to multiple spoons full in a baked dessert or a candy. The sweet fragrance starts right out of the gate when one opens the bottle, and you may think, "Yum," like we did, anticipating the sweet flavour. It has been a very long time since we have had this treat, and it was a nice throwback to childhood.
Taking a spoonful of this, you will notice that the texture is a little gummy. Perhaps that comes from the tradition of this treat being made from the sap of the Lentisk Tree that would be sticky and gummy. But, we now know that the flavour masticha is the from the sap, and the sticky texture is from the sugar. When we first spooned this, we made the association with fondant icing on a cake, which is pliable but sticky. You may think of something else. Regardless, since you are keeping this on the spoon, it will not matter how sticky the Βανίλια is.
Start with a tall glass of very cold water. You do not want ice in the water, but you want it cold like ice water. This glass serves three purposes for our treat. First, the glass of water is a great vehicle in which to serve the Βανίλια to your guests. Some people know this treat as a vanilla submarine. That name comes from the idea that the spoon with the Βανίλια is submerged in the water like a submarine.
Secondly, the glass of water will keep the Βανίλια in place on the spoon without losing any of the treat. The spoonful of Βανίλια stands in the glass of water which makes it easier to lick the spoon, dip it back in the cold water to make the Βανίλια cold and solid again, then another lick of the spoon, dip back in the water to make cold again. This is really the process of eating the treat.
Had it not been for a friend to re-introduce us to this delightful, simple treat, we may have forgotten about it or categorized it with treats for children. But, adults can enjoy this easily, and with very little guilt about calories or sugars. Some have noted that this can be used as a topping for ice cream or cakes, but, traditionally it is a spoon sweet, so enjoy it as it is. After all, it is only one spoonful!
Source of image: http://orthodoxchurchquotes.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/st-nektarios-4.jpg
“A Christian must be courteous to all. His words and deeds should breath with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which abides in his soul, so that in this way he might glorify the name of God. He who regulates all of his speech also regulates all of his actions. He who keeps watch over the words he is about say also keeps watch over the deeds he intends to do, and he never goes out of the bounds good and benevolent conduct. The graceful speech of a Christian is characterized by delicateness and politeness. This fact, born of love, produces peace and joy. On the other hand, boorishness gives birth to hatred, enmity, affliction, competitiveness, disorder and wars.”
St. Nektarius of Aegina, The Path to Happiness
Source of quote: http://orthodoxchurchquotes.com/category/sayings-from-saints-elders-and-fathers/st-nektarios-of-aegina/
I always have a jar in my pantry...great stuff! Childhood memories indeed! I wonder why this treat and it's cousins (lemon and orange rind, etc.) are not as popular as they used to be? What happened to their once wide spread appeal and use?
ReplyDeleteHi Nick. You might be right about the spoon sweets being less popular today than they used to be. My husband remembers his grandparents making their own baby walnut, stuffed baby eggplant (with almond) and baby orange spoon sweets using traditional methods that do not involve artificial colouring agents that many commercially available Greek spoon sweets use today. Spoon sweets, I suppose, may be associated by urban dwellers as unsophisticated (due to their rural origin) and, perhaps, too plain for some to offer their guests. For some, "More expensive is better you know…".
ReplyDeleteGod Bless and Kali Sarakosti for you and every member of your family.