A guest arriving at a Greek home should expect an overwhelming array of traditional welcoming treats that will be presented upon their arrival, from coffee and cookies, to cakes, homemade liqueurs, loukoumi and more. But there’s one sweet something that has long been linked with hospitality and welcoming in any proper, traditional Greek home: glyko tou koutaliou, or “spoon sweet,” a type of fruit preserve whose roots go way back to ancient times.

For centuries, preservation was a necessary part of the harvest – it was the only way to make excess fresh fruits and vegetables last for as long as possible. Based on historic references, we know that the most common preservation methods included sun-drying fruits and vegetables or preserving them in either honey or grape molasses (petimezi), which usually involved first boiling the fruit.

“Glyka tou Koutaliou” or a sweet spoonful of Greek hospitality would best describe the most ubiquitous dessert in Greece and Cyprus. Served on ornate crystal plates with a spoon, of course, and some cold water, spoon sweets are not only an integral part of Greek cuisine, they are also a traditional gesture of hospitality.

On every Greek island, in every village, and even in the modern-day city, the “glyko tou koutaliou” (or sweet of the spoon) is offered to guests as a gesture of welcome.

What is a Spoon Sweet?

So what is a spoon sweet? The glyko tou koutaliou has evolved from the ancient practice of drying seasonal fruits and vegetables and combining with honey or molasses to preserve throughout the year.

In its current form (with sugar) it is believed to have come to Greece via traders from the East.

The delicious age-old tradition in Greece of offering “Spoon Sweets” to visitors goes way back to the fourteenth century, when the Byzantines adopted the custom from Arab traders. It was a tradition as old as time in the Arabic world to serve the sweets to guests as a gesture of hospitality.

Spoon sweets are exactly what they sound like: just a spoonful of sweets. This tradition still lives on today throughout Greece and Cyprus. When someone stops by your home, you offer them a drink and a “spoon sweet”, which is a spoonful of sweet preserves made from nutritious fruits, served on a spoon.

Today, spoon sweets are commonly served with a cup of Greek coffee or a glass of cold water, and the ingredients are much the same as they were hundreds of years ago. The sweet treats are made from whole fruit, fruit pieces, purees and even tree resin.