The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
5 Countries with the Most Similar Food Ingredients to Greece
Greece is known for its delicious and healthy dishes, with unique flavors. Four of the five countries with the most similar food ingredients border the Mediterranean Sea and have a lot of coastline. All five are members of the European Union as well.
- Spain‘s food, particularly that of the coastal regions, shares similarities with Greek food. Both feature an abundance of fresh seafood, olive oil, and a focus on simple, flavorful ingredients. Grilled or roasted fish, calamari, and octopus are examples of dishes that feature prominently in both cuisines.
- Italy and Greece emphasize the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Olive oil, tomatoes, cheese, garlic, and herbs are common components of their cuisine. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat in both countries. Oranges are the most popular fruits in these countries as well.
- Croatia is another country that borders the Adriatic Sea on this list. Both Croatia and Greece have many dishes that involve stuffing vegetables or grape leaves. Fresh vegetables and herbs are essential components of both cuisines. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and a variety of herbs are used to enhance the flavor of their dishes.
- France and Greece commonly use fresh ingredients in their dishes. Bread, pastries, and a rich tradition of cheese-making are hallmarks of both countries. Additionally, their use of herbs, grilled meats, and seafood is also similar. Furthermore, each country has a rich wine culture, since they grow many grapes.
- Luxembourg‘s cuisine is quite similar to France’s, so it makes sense that it is included on this list as well. Both of their diets include a lot of cheese and dairy in various dishes. Luxembourg’s cosmopolitan environment, influenced by its role as an international hub, makes it have a diverse culinary scene.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Greece
5 Countries with the Least Similar Food Ingredients to Greece
Four of the five countries with the least similar food to Greece are located in Africa. These countries also have a significantly warmer climate. Moreover, these five nations are significantly less developed than Greece. Neither bread nor pork are commonly eaten in these countries.
- Chad is a sparsely populated, landlocked country in Africa that is mostly desert. Chad’s cuisine is also far different from Greece’s. It heavily relies on staples like millet, sorghum, rice, and corn. Their people are mostly Muslim, so they do not consume a lot of pork.
- South Sudan is another landlocked country in Africa. Cassava is its staple food, however the country eats its share of sorghum as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country. Unlike in Greece, cheese is rarely consumed in the South Sudan.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It relies extremely heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and root crops as a result. The country’s relative isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences.
- Central African Republic borders both Chad and South Sudan. Cassava and yams are two of the most commonly eaten ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas are a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than in Greece.
- Burundi is yet another French-speaking African country on this list. It is located in the Great Lakes region of Africa, so freshwater fish are the country’s biggest source of meat. Its diet is in large part based on cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, and bananas.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Greece
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Greece’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Pork, Chicken
Fruit: Orange, Peach
Vegetable: Tomato, Olive
Starch: Wheat, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
