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In 1960, health and nutrition scientists set the standards for the Mediterranean Diet based on the Cretan Dietary Pattern.

The relationship between the Cretan diet and health became widely known with the “Seven Countries Study” that showed impressively low mortality and cardiovascular disease rates. Comparisons of the observed populations showed that Crete was by far the healthiest with the lowest mortality rates attributed to coronary disease and cancer. The results of the study suggest that individuals who adopt the dietary patterns observed on Crete demonstrate reduced risks against several chronic diseases.

The pattern refers to the consumption of specific foods, the eating habits and the cooking customs which are the essence of a particular lifestyle, coupled with physical activity. The key elements of the traditional Cretan diet are:

* the requirement for a closer relationship with nature

* regular physical exercise and activity

* simple and frugal meals (moderate is the rule)

* use of the pure, natural and highly nutritional indigenous products of Crete

* tasty cuisine

* specific combinations and proportions of food with an emphasis on vegetables and other greens

Why is Cretan food so good?

The answer is because it is homemade, it is what the people eat every day and it is from the land around so is the best nature can make it. On the arid south of the island, the greens have much more taste than in the fertile north. The reason for this is thought to be a combination of the struggle for survival the plant has to go through and the semi-salted irrigation water. Local products are reasonably priced and readily available so your purchases are helping the sustainability of local societies.

How does this relate to the Mistral?

Many of our guests stress that one of the highlights of the Mistral experience is the homemade food. We believe in the principles and are members of the Slow Food Movement and our philosophy has two main components. We stick to traditional dishes as much as possible and use as many fresh vegetables and raw foods as we can.

Our vegetable garden provides part of what we need; tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, greens, dill, mint, eggs, lettuce, some chicken and rabbit meat. Anything extra such as goats cheese, honey and bread is sourced from local farmers.

The Mistral has applied for a Cretan Quality Agreement Certificate which aims to preserve and promote the Cretan diet and to create a Quality Label for establishments offering Cretan Cuisine.