On Thursday, July 17, 2025, a successful event was held in the Emblematic Community of Koroni, with the topic “Rememberance and Fruit – Raisins in Messinian History,” as part of a conference on the Mediterranean Diet, organized by the Municipality of Pylos-Nestoros, the Maniatakeion Foundation, and the Messinia Development Agency SA OTA.
During the event, speeches were given on:
- The importance of black raisins for the local history, economy, and culture (in the past, raisins were the main agricultural product of the region for many decades, and Koroni was an export port). Traditional cultivation techniques, sun-drying facilities, threshing floors, and raisin warehouses are still visitable in many surrounding villages.
- Its use in cooking (e.g. stuffed vegetables, salads) and confectionery (e.g. mustalevria, pasteli, raisin bread).
- Its high nutritional value; it is traditionally considered a healthy food with high energy value, a “natural vitamin”.
- The necessity and prospects of reviving this crop in the Messinian region, by new producers who are implementing organic or quality raisin cultivation, combining tradition and innovation
The event was opened by Mr. Dimitris Maniatakis, chairman of the Maniatakeion Foundation, followed by speakers Stefanos Kavaliarakis, historian and author, Nana Dareiotis, food journalist and editor of Cantina magazine (published by PROTO THEMA), and Aspasia Tsoka, dietitian, nutritionist, and MSc in diabetes mellitus. The event was coordinated by Giannis Karvelas, agri-food business consultant and advisor of the Municipality and of the Maniatakeion Foundation on issues related to the Mediterranean Diet.
Chef Georgia Koutsoukou prepared recipes with raisins for the attendants.
(photos by MessiniaLive)
