Xira Syka Taxiarchi

These dried figs of the Smyrna variety are produced in the villages of Taxiarchis, Neos Pyrgos, Agios Georgios, Orei, Istiaia, Kamaria, and Kastaniotissa in the northern part of the island of Euboea. The area benefits from the neighboring mountains and the Aegean Sea breeze, and it enjoys a favorable Mediterranean climate with long hours of sunshine, which gives the succulent, thin-skinned Taxiarchi figs a particularly sweet flavor. They are carefully hand picked in August and then slowly dried under the sun, which coaxes out a wonderful light yellow color and an intense honey-caramel aroma. Taxiarchi figs make for an excellent all-day snack, but they can also be enjoyed chopped into salads or as an appetizer with cheese and cold cuts.