Cretan Sourdough Bread Making in a Traditional Wood Oven
Cretan Sourdough Bread Making in a Traditional Wood Oven
Join an enthusiastic bread maker in a hands-on cooking experience for preparation of dried ‘dacos’ sourdough dried break of Crete in a traditional wood burning oven.
Visiting Places: Agios Nikolaos bread-maker’s workshop space
Duration: 5-6 hours (approx.)
WHY WE LOVE IT
A unique hands on cooking experience in Agios Nikolaos out of a foodie’s fantasy! The food tastings and kneading experience will be the highlight of your trip.
Activity Description
A hands-on experience of traditional 'dacos' dried bread making, from lighting the fire, to kneading and the pleasure of tasting local delicacies with wine and of course bread while you wait for your creations to get out of the oven.
You will meet your host, Antonis, at his space in Agios Nikolaos area, around 8:30 in the morning. First, you will visit the room where the wood oven is located and will wear your cap and apron. Together with your host, you will light up the traditional oven. While you wait for the oven to reach the required temperature for baking, you will enjoy a Cretan traditional breakfast of coffee, orange juice, herbal tea and traditional bread with cheese. After your first break, your host will show you how to knead the flour and dash the dough, together. While you wait for the dough to grow you will be offered traditional Cretan snacks (rusk nut, olives, seasonal vegetables) accompanied by raki! Your dough and oven temperature is now ready and after lowering the oven temperature, together with your host you will put the hand-made bread in the wood oven. While waiting for your creations to bake thoroughly, you will join your host in preparation of a Cretan traditional recipe for lunch. Finally, your bread is ready! Together with Antonis you will take the bread out of the oven and enjoy your hand-made fragrant bread with local red wine. At the end of this experience you will leave with your own, hand-made, loaf of bread as a souvenir for an incredible adventure into Cretan gastronomy.
About your host:
Antonis grew up in an environment full of mesmerising smells and local traditions. His village has a long history of making Cretan bread and hand-made pasta. He remembers himself since he was a little boy experiencing the local bread-making tradition through his grandmother and grandfather. When he grew up, he made his dream come true: he built a traditional Cretan wood-burning oven, following the steps he was taught and experienced throughout his childhood, thus connecting his past and his future. The rusk bread for Antonis and the Cretan people is the basis of the Cretan diet with rare know-how for its preparation passing through the centuries from generation to generation, a rare heritage not only to Crete but to the Greek gastronomy. Antonis is inviting you to his bakery, to share his knowledge, the tradition and mythology of bread, followed by the eternal fight between water and fire; an experience with a unique aroma and taste from the rusk bread, the immortal bread of Crete.
Special Features
Generous offerings of breakfast, snack, full lunch and alcohol
Hospitable local expert bread-maker host
Hands on kneading experience
Loaf of bread as a souvenir
Pure ingredients
Activity Snapshot
Dates | Start Time: All year, upon request | 8:30 AM
Duration: 5-6 hours (approx.)
Meeting Point: Agios Nikolaos (exact location to be advised after booking)
Group Size: Min 2 persons.
Pace: Easy.
Spoken Language: Greek, English
Included: Food and drinks as described
Excluded: Transfers to/from meeting point , translator (where required), any food and beverages other than the tastings described, anything not mentioned as included.
Note: Bookings required at least 3 days in advance. A private experience can be tailored to your schedule - private experiences of up to 4 persons €250 . Seasonal organic ingredients used therefore menu may change. Sourdough and barley flour are used as the main ingredients in preparation of the bread. The purest ingredients are used with no chemicals and additives. Please advise of any food allergies and special dietary requirements upon booking. Experience not suitable for persons with allergy to gluten.
Young Travellers: Suitable for children older than 6 years old. Child fare: €50.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations less than 48 hours before the experience, late comers and no shows: no refund. Full refund in case of cancellation by the host.
Additional Info
Confirmation to be received as soon as possible (within 24 hours from booking)
You can present either a print out or an electronic booking confirmation for this activity
Complete information on Vendor, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be sent with your Booking Confirmation. The TravelPorter hand-picks the most remarkable, experienced and reliable vetted professionals for a pleasant experience from booking to completion.
