Dafni
There were many who rightly considered it to be an “endangered variety” a few years ago. Fortunately, however, there are grape growers who persisted and prevented that from happening. Its unique personality named it due to its aroma that is very reminiscent with the Daphne plant (the bay laurel). With its medium body and soft taste, we expect special emotions from it in the future.
Thraspathiri
It is cultivated all over Crete and produces wine with rich taste and excellent balance. A central element of their personality is the intensity in the aromas of herbs, which make very special white wines (PDO Siteia). Until a few years ago, its tendency to easily oxidize has led many to avoid it; a trend that was once again saved by the modern perception and knowledge of young winemakers, reopening their doors to the market.

Kotsifali
Some called it the “Merlot of Crete” because of its soft character. A sweet drink full of, mainly, plum aromas, that finds more and more often its way to single-variety bottling; ideal for mixing with more “astringent” varieties, such as Mandilari.
Liatiko
“Baptized” from the ideal time of year when it matures: July… Juliatiko… Liatiko! Like any red variety with thin bark, Liatiko is of course demanding in cultivation, as well as sensitive to weather conditions. The solution is to keep the acreage yields low and if the grapes ripen properly, Liatiko will be “born” with exceptional perfection: soft character, full of the aromas of dried fruits, herbs and flowers!
Malvasia
A central variety in the famous “Malvazio wine”, it nowadays follows its own independent path, rightly betting on its exceptional aromas and the diversity it contains. In other words, Crete today has another “ace up its sleeve” that represents dry aromatic and sweet wines.
Mandilari
It is also called it “King” in relation to the rest of the varieties of the island. This great, red grape had an innate “wildness”, as a result of its acidity and its strong tannins that characterize it; characteristics ideal enough to make it a wine that can be mixed with others, resulting as a whole in a wine with a solid character.
Muscatel of Spina
One will understand what such a small grape can produce, if they taste this wine even once. The little “brother” of Muscatel, it takes its name from the community of Spina in the province of Selino of Chania. The aroma of the grape is explosive, while its thin skin will give the wine such a delicate and gentle taste, that makes it an exceptional white dry, while avoiding, however, the flavors of sweet and semi-sweet varieties.

Plyto
Before reappearing, Plyto had remained forgotten for years. With its particularly refreshing acidity and the presence of lemon, it made the producers invest in it, creating light and fresh single-variety wines. It will often pair well with richer varieties such as Vidiano.
Romeiko
Originating from the region of Chania, this grape creates lively red wines, with a high percentage of alcohol and moderate acidity. From this also produced the traditional wine “Marouvas” with a very special taste.

The quality of the Cretan olive oil, the "gold" of the Cretan land, as it has been characteristically named, is widely known throughout the world.

It is a natural product that comes from the simple crushing of the olive, without extracts and enhancing additives. It is a product cultivated with care and passion.

Cretan olive oil is beneficial and nutritious and is considered a precious ally of health.

Almost all production in Crete is extra virgin olive oil.

It does not contain enhancing additives or preservatives. It is the natural juice of the fruit of Koroneiki olive, a tree that thrives in every corner of the Cretan land where the climatic conditions are ideal.

Olive oil is not just an element of the Cretan diet. It is a structural element of the Cretan culture. Cretans connect their lives to the cycle of the olive.

The mystery of longevity in Crete has now been revealed and is none other than the Cretan olive oil, which had been discovered in every corner of the planet.

The fine thyme honey is collected from traditional hives in natural thyme habitats, mainly in the White Mountains.

In the Cretan Madares, the wild Cretan thyme, a unique aromatic plant, is a permanent “resident”, with bees collecting nectar from its purple flowers during the summer months.

Thyme honey is considered unique for its aroma and taste. It has a high nutritional value due to its tonic and antiseptic properties, as it acts preventively for cardiovascular disorders, while having a beneficial effect against multiple diseases.

Have a spoonful of honey and try to swallow it slowly… Put honey in drinks and hot beverages, in milk for children or enjoy it with fresh bread, toast or fresh yogurt.

Use honey as a sweetener instead of sugar or as a flavor enhancer in marinades, salads etc.

The avocado holds the scepter of these crops, since it seems that it has found its home in Chania.

However, interest in other crops is growing.

Guava, mango, passion fruit and lychee are but a few of the exotic fruits that can be found in Crete.

Due to the special microclimate that many of these plants require to grow, the areas in Europe that are considered suitable for their cultivation are very specific.

One of them is Crete and specifically Chania.

Gypaetus (Gypaetus Barbatus)

Common Name: Kokkalas

It is the bird with the largest wingspan in Europe (270 cm) and body length ranging between 102 and 114 cm. Distinctive features of the adult include the off-white head and chest, square wings, black back, long tail, the long black beard and the white-yellow iris of the eye that bears a crimson ring around it. The head and chest in most cases look orange because this species has the habit of painting its wings by taking mud baths in red soil.

The main habitat of this bearded vulture is the en areas with sparse vegetation, medium to high altitude (600 to 3500 m), where it mainly seeks its food. The vulture is observed to fly alone or in pairs, although in areas where their population is high, such as in the highlands of Lesotho (South Africa), Ethiopia and the Himalayas, small groups of vultures are found feeding in the garbage even on the outskirts of villages. Its diet consists of 70-90 percent of the bones of livestock animals, mainly sheep and goats or small wild ungulates such as wild goats and wild sheep in natural mountain ecosystems. However, it also feeds on rodents and migratory birds that it finds dead in the snow.

Vulture (Gypsfulvus)

Other common names: Kanavos, Skara, Gypas, Thrasa

They are large and heavy predators with a wingspan of 260cm and a body length of 97 - 104cm. The feathers of the collar are the distinguishing feature between the adult (with white short feathers) and the young (with brown long feathers). But there are other differences between them; the adult has a white-gray head and neck, borwn to white-gray plumage, white-yellow beak, and brown-yellow iris. The young bird has a white head and neck, cinnamon plumage, longer fingers at the tips of its wings, and a brown iris.

The vulture feeds on the carcasses of medium or large livestock. It mainly prefers the soft parts of dead animals, showing a particular preference for entrails.

Golden Eagle

Other common names: Vitsila, Pnigara

It is the most powerful predator in Greece, with a wingspan of 185-220cm and body length of 75-90cm. When it flies, its golden yellow neck and long tail can be seen. The adult bird has a characteristic golden head and neck, its body and wings are colored uniformly dark below, while the wings are lighter above. There are also light colored stripes on the tail. At a young age, the Golden Eagle has a blackhead and neck, a dark body with white spots on the wings and a white band on the tail. Gradually, as the young eagle matures, the white areas darken.

Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus)

Other common names: Philadelphos, Stori, Skarovitsila

Although of medium size, this eagle with a wingspan of 145-165cm and a body length of 55-60cm is extremely strong and combative. The adult is black on top with a white back (white V between the wings), while below it has a black body and a white chest with vertical stripes. A black band can be seen on the tip of the tail. The young eagle differs because on the back it has a brownish-white color and billow it a cinnamon ribbed chest. The tail is also brown with light lines.

This eagle is distinguished for its speed in flight and is accustomed to hunting in pairs.

It feeds on medium-sized birds such as pheasants, wild pigeons, partridges, as well as small mammals such as weasels, mice and more rarely reptiles.

Petrite (Falcoperegrinus)

Other common name: Falconas

It is one of the fastest species of birds in the world and the most powerful species of hawk in Greece, with a wingspan of 90-115cm and a body length of 35-50cm. While in flight, it stands out from the pointed wings and the short tail that narrows at the edge. The adult has a blue-gray color on the top and horizontal stripes on the chest. All parts of its body that are not covered with feathers are yellow and the tail has a uniform color. At a young age, Petritis has a dark brown color on top and vertical streaks on the chest. The feathered parts of its body are gray, while the tail has a light-colored stripe on the edge. Petritis often flies in a straight line during active flight, gaining high speed (it can reach 400km/h). It feeds mainly in open areas, hunting small or medium-sized birds that it always catches in the air by ambushing them.

Black Falcon (Falcoeleonorae)

Other common names: Varvaki, Koustogerako, Thalassogerako, Falconi

The black falcon is a medium-sized hawk, with a wingspan of 84-103cm and a body length of 36-40cm. For Greece, it is a very important species since a very large percentage of its world population, probably reaching 80%, nests on rocky islands of our country.

When it perches, its wings appear to protrude from its tail. During the flight, the pointed wings and the long tail are distinguished, while it exhibits excellent flexibility in the air. Its delicate, piercing voice is also very characteristic.

The adult is found in two color phases: either completely black, or black on top and brown-red below, with streaks only on the chest. Before coming of age, the black falcon has a brown-black color on top and many brown streaks on the bottom.

Citrus and avocados are some typical products of the plain, with the shift to this particular crop being almost universal.

And yet... oranges are the ones that have marked the childhood years of every citizen of the plain.

Juicy, fragrant and sweet... like memories.

But what makes them unique? The special micro-climate, the atmospheric humidity, great sunshine all throughout the year and irrigation from the waters of the White Mountains.

Exports are fewer in recent years, however, Chania oranges are still available in the Greek market.

Cretan dittany (Origanum dictamnus) is an endemic plant found in Crete and is consumed as beverage.

Its name comes from Mount Dikti (on the mountains of Lasithi), where it used to abound.

Its leaves are furry and have a grey-green color.

In Minoan Crete and Ancient Greece, it was one of the greatest pharmaceutical plants.

Hippocrates used it against stomach and digestive system illnesses, rheumatism, and arthritis, as a healing, emmenagogue, tonic and antispasmodic.

Ironwort

Ironwort is self-planted mainly in eastern Crete and is consumed both as a tea and a medicine.

It is considered to have healing properties, rich in antibacterial and antacid substances.

Wild ironwort is rare nowadays, although it is planted in cultivating plantations that still provide its benefits in people all over the world.

Even though it is rarer than it was, its value is still great both in Crete and beyond.

The plant grows between 800 and 2000 meters above the surface of the sea and Cretans harvest it since the ancient times and still use it in a variety of recipes and pharmaceutical applications.

The White Mountains of Crete are where these unique, yellow-leafed plants found in greater numbers.

Marjoram

Marjoram is a relative plant to oregano with many branches and small fragrant leaves.

Its ethereal oil is produced from the above-ground parts through distillation.

It is one of the richest sources of antacids.

In the ancient times, it was considered to be the herb of happiness.

It acts as an antispasmodic, antiemetic, relieves flatulence and indigestion and stimulates the liver and spleen.

It greatly aids in stomach aches and acts as a digestive/smoothing.

Hippocrates used it as an antiseptic, Dioskourides as a tonic and Galinos as a digestive.

Studies show that there are over 1.800 species of plants in Crete, even much more than England.

Crete is an island-example for the preservation of our natural inheritance and the protection of the natural wealth and resources of the country.

This wealth, however, is not only related with the number, but also with the endemic plant life of the island, that count over 150 and constitute about 10% of the species of flora.

Despite human intervention, Cretan flora shapes and adapts to withstand any hyperactivity.

For example, there are endemic plants with thorns (to prevent grazing) or awful tastes (to avoid being consumed).

Furthermore, although the so-called woodlands of Crete are few, they are some of the rarest habitats or accommodations in Europe, like the palm trees of Theofrastos.

Of the forest species, those that are most common on the island are pine and cypress, conifers with large adaptability in extreme environments, but also maple and abelitsia, one of the rarest trees in the world that is planted almost exclusively on the White Mountains in small batches.

The most notable species of flora of the island are its aromatic plants and herbs that are used as ingredients in cooking, in the making of beverages and as healing implements.

For example, thyme, sage, ironwort (malotira), dittany, are only some of the plants that one can find, and especially smell, on Crete.