Petimezi – Greek Grape Syrup

May 08, 2023May 8, 20230 4

A Sweet and Healthy Syrup: Petimezi - Greek Grape Syrup

by The Chefin Syrup

Prep

20 min

Cook

3 hours

Ready In

3 hours 20 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

Ingredients

	10 lbs grapes , fresh
	4 inches piece bread , very dry ( use 1 T clean ash to be authentic )
	2 3 mint leaves ( optional ) or 3 dried chamomile ( optional )
	5 cups unsweetened white grape juice

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

Sugar

24g

Fat

Petimezi, also known as grape molasses or grape honey, is a traditional Greek syrup made from fresh grapes and grape juice with added bread or ash. It has a dark brown color, a sticky texture, and a sweet yet tangy flavor reminiscent of raisins and saba. In Greek cuisine, Petimezi is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, such as stews, glazes, pies, and desserts. It's also believed to have therapeutic properties, such as soothing sore throat, coughs, and anemia. Here's a simple recipe for homemade Petimezi that you can try at home.

Instructions

1.	Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F.
2.	Rinse the grapes and remove them from the stems.
3.	Transfer them to a large pot and pour in the grape juice and 2 cups of water.
4.	Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
5.	Cover the pot and let the grapes cook for 30 minutes.
6.	Meanwhile, soak the bread in 1 cup of water, then squeeze it dry.
7.	Crumble the bread with your fingers and add it to the pot.
8.	Remove the mint leaves or chamomile tea bags, if using.
9.	Cook for another 10 minutes without a lid, then turn off the heat.
10.	Let the mixture cool down in the pot for 15 minutes.
11.	Strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot.
12.	Bring it to a gentle simmer over low heat and cook for 1-2 hours until it becomes thick and syrupy.
13.	Let the grape syrup cool down to room temperature.
14.	Transfer to clean, dry bottles and store in a cool, dark place.
15.	Enjoy as a glaze or topping for pancakes, waffles, yogurt, ice cream, or your favorite baked goods.

PROS

Made with only four simple ingredients, this flavorful syrup is a healthy and natural alternative to processed sweeteners.

Petimezi is moderate on the glycemic index, which means it won’t cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.

CONS

It takes a while to make Petimezi from scratch, as grapes have to be simmered, strained, and boiled down into a thick syrup.

As a natural sweetener, Petimezi may have a slightly different taste than highly processed syrup or honey.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Petimezi is rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols and anthocyanins that may help improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and boost immune function.
It’s also a good source of iron, calcium, and potassium, all of which support healthy blood and bones.