PASTELI produced by KAPA EVMELIN PAPADOPOULOU: 

A Mediterranean Diet component at its best

Dr. Vassilis GEORGAKOPOULOS

A number of studies have confirmed that people who closely follow "the Mediterranean Diet" (Med Diet) live longer than other Europeans. It has been found that the closer people followed the traditional Mediterranean Diet, the less likely they were to die from either heart disease or cancer, with slightly greater protection against heart disease than cancer.

Med Diet and its characteristics

The Med Diet is a modern nutritional recommendation originally inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of Greece, Southern Italy and Spain. It is not a specific diet plan or diet programme but a collection of eating habits that are traditionally followed by the people of the Mediterranean region. There are at least 16 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and food habits vary between them according to culture, ethnic background and religion, but there are a number of characteristics common to them all:

• A high consumption of fruits, vegetables, potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds, bread and other cereals
• Olive oil used for cooking and dressings
• Moderate amount of fish but little meat
• Low to moderate amounts of full fat cheese and yoghurt
• Moderate consumption of red wine, usually with meals
• Reliance on local, seasonal, fresh produce
• An active lifestyle

The secret ingredients

Since mortality statistics first identified that Med Diet populations were living longer than other Europeans, scientists have been trying to deduce which components of the diet are responsible for these considerable benefits. Here are some of the candidates so far: olive oil, fruit & vegetables, oily fish, seeds & nuts and wine in moderation.

The beneficial properties of the products based on sesame seeds such as pasteli, tahini & halva, have been scientifically confirmed. A number of researches regarding the beneficial properties of sesame and its derived products concluded that: "Sesame and its derived products can: 

• Decrease the level of cholesterol in blood. 
• Boost the immune system. 
• Prevent cataract. 
• Help treat diabetes. 
• Protect from atherosclerosis and hypertension. 
• Avert or slow down chronic diseases. 
• Contribute to the proper function of the liver. 
• Act against ageing and hypertension"

In practice, however, it is likely that a combination of all the different ingredients of the diet make it so healthy. Not only that but other factors such as a more relaxed attitude to eating, plenty of sunshine and more physical activity are likely to be contributing to the overall healthy lifestyle of this region.

Sesame Seed Candy (Pasteli)

Sesame seed candy is a confection of sesame seeds and honey (or sugar) pressed into a bar or ball. It is popular from Southern Italy and Greece through to the Middle East and South Asia. The texture may vary from chewy to crisp. In Greece, sesame seed candy is called pasteli and is generally a flat, oblong bar made with honey and often including nuts. Though the modern name "pasteli" is of Italian origin, very similar foods are documented in Ancient Greek cuisine (e.g. Herodotus mentions "sweet cakes of sesame and honey", but without much detail). Furthermore, pasteli, with its high nutritional value, surpasses other snacks in terms of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and dietary fibre levels.

KAPA EVMELIN PAPADOPOULOU

Since 1924, KAPA EVMELIN PAPADOPOULOU has been producing quality traditional pasteli products (made by sesame seeds and honey) in Zevgolatio - Messinia, Greece. During the ensuing years, priority has always been given to the maintenance of the reputation for quality that the company has built for itself. This aim continues to manifest itself within company policies.

The continuous control of employees, plant, equipment, ingredients and packaging materials is an integral part of our efforts to ensure that our hygiene standards are as high as possible. We also incorporate the HACCP principles in our attempts to minimize the chance of contamination for our products. We continue to review our standards and objectives in order to improve them for the future and to ensure that we meet with our consumers’ expectations for the quality of our pasteli products. 

It is our hope that the improvement program KAPA EVMELIN PAPADOPOULOU is carrying out: 

• supports rural development in a sustainable way by increasing its ties with local producers and consumers
• encourages competition within the sector
• enhances consumer options
• preserves the part of culture that is closely associated to traditional food
• creates jobs and protects the tastes of Europe's regions and cities
• demonstrates to the consumers the care taken during the manufacture and distribution to ensure the safety, quality and nutritive value of our traditional Greek pasteli products that are on sale in the market-place.