In the small village of Makrylies, there's a cheese factory, the only one in Samothraki. It's in the southwest of the island and it belongs to Panagiotis Papanikolau. His grandfather started the business in 1953 and when his age caught up with him the factory was closed. Many years later, Panagiotis, after studying economics in Thessaloniki decided to return to his homeland and reopen the family business. Together with his father, Vasilis, he secured funding through a European program, bought modern equipment and learned the secrets of the trade from experts. He reopenend the factory in the year 2000.
Every year, during the summer and spring, around 60 farmers from Samothraki bring over 150 tons of milk to the factory. Papanikolaou cheeses contain around 80% sheep's milk and 20% goat's milk. "The animals feed on the rich and diverse vegetation of Samothraki and drink seawater, which gives the meat and cheese a unique taste," says Panagiotis. Although the milk is not always sufficient, he is determined not to keep up his standards and use only local milk.
The factory produces 40-50 tons every year. The cheese is sold on the island or in the markets of Alexandroupoli, Athens and Thessaloniki. Cheese is one of the few export products of Samothraki, along with goat meat.
The Papanikolau factory makes feta, graviera (a hard cheese, slightly spicy, with an intense taste that won an award in 2013 from the Gastronomos magazine), myzithra (ricotta style cheese, often eaten with honey), formaela (yellow cheese, similar to haloumi), kaskavali, kaseri (a type of matured cheese), makrylisio (a cheese that takes its name from the village of Makrylies), and other cheeses such as anthotyro, melihloro or volakotyri.
Besides cheese, Panagiotis and his father also produce cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil (€60/5 liter can) and soaps out of various medicinal plants. In the small shop, jars of honey, oregano and other spices, tinctures and cosmetics are also displayed. The person who usually greets you is Monika, a Bulgarian woman from Sliven who moved to the island years ago.
Papanikolaou cheeses are also sometimes found in supermarkets on the island. Among the tavernas in Samothraki, Stenaki in Chora serves Papanikolaou graviera as an appetizer, with a drizzle of olive oil.
Tip: To experience the complete taste of the island, try the Papanikolau hard cheeses in combination with the local beer Fonias Pale Ale.
Contact Papanikolau shop - Makrilies, Samothraki
The Papanikolau shop is in the village of Makrylies, on the left side of the road, as you come from Kamariotissa, heading towards Xiropotamos. It is easy to find, as there are only a few houses in Makrylies.
E-mail: tyrokomeiosamothrakis@gmail.com
Phone: +30 697 477 6827 (mobile); +30 255 109 5219 (landline)
What to Buy in Samothraki?
Fonias Pale Ale, the Beer of Samothraki
Melmar Winery and "the Secret Path"
To Gid' - The Goat Shop from Samothraki
The Traditional Bakery of Samothraki
Have you been there?
Tell everyone about your experience!