The list, published by Taste Atlas, features not only dakos but also five other Greek salads.
Taste Atlas, a gastronomic website dedicated to promoting local foods worldwide, has named Greece the leader in its ranking of the 100 best salads globally with dakos, a traditional Cretan dish enjoyed throughout Greece.
In addition to dakos, five other Greek salad variations are included in the list, with the famous Greek village salad, or horiatiki, making it into the top five. Last year, two Greek salads were also featured in Taste Atlas’ previous list of the world’s best salads.
Taste Atlas describes dakos as “a traditional Cretan dish consisting of a dried barley rusk topped with crumbled mizithra cheese, finely chopped ripe tomatoes, whole olives, capers, fresh oregano, and generous drizzles of high-quality olive oil.” It further recommends using olive varieties such as Koroneiki or Tsounates. Traditionally, mizithra cheese is used instead of feta, which is more commonly found in tourist restaurants. The rusk is often lightly rubbed with a small piece of garlic and sprinkled with sea salt.
Other Greek Salads on the List
The Greek village salad, known as horiatiki, claimed the fifth position. According to Taste Atlas, this salad typically features “chopped tomatoes, sliced red onions, and thick cucumber slices. Depending on the region, it may also include olives, green peppers, feta cheese, oregano, salt, pepper, or a traditional dressing made from olive oil and lemon or vinegar (optional).”
When feta cheese is included, it is usually cut into slices but can occasionally be mixed with a fork until slightly crumbled. The name suggests it was a rustic dish originally made by farmers who would bring basic ingredients to the field and mix them together.
Ranking at number 24 are greens, which are typically cooked with olive oil and lemon juice. The salad described includes wild greens such as amaranth and dandelion, among others.
At 33rd place is potato salad, described by Taste Atlas as consisting of large pieces of potato covered in a delicious dressing made from ingredients like olive oil, mustard, yogurt, or mayonnaise. Boiled eggs, olives, and dill or parsley may also be added.
Just below the potato salad at number 35 is beetroot salad. Taste Atlas explains that “beets are the main ingredient in this colorful Greek dish, which comes in two versions. Cooked beets are either covered with a yogurt-based dressing or simply seasoned with vinegar, and the dish may be served as a creamy, thick puree or as a regular salad with diced beets.”
The list concludes with another Greek entry: tuna salad.