Mixed agroforestry landscape

Mixed agroforestry landscape with olive groves and characteristic species of the area such as almond trees (Prunus Dulcis), oak trees (Quercus spp.), gortsies (Pyrus spinosa) and maple (Acer sempervirens). In the past Karavas had organized almond production. After almonds were collected by the producers and weighed in the village, they were transported by boat to Kapsali, on behalf of the merchants that had warehouses and a workshop there and to women who cleaned the almonds. From there the almond paste was exported to Trieste and the woody bark was shipped to Piraeus. The almond tree is an endemic Mediterranean tree, connected with the Greek tradition, and has been cultivated since antiquity. In Kythera, it thrives even in the stony and dry soils of the island. The almond is starring in some of the most typical recipes of Kytherian pastry, such as rozedes, marzipan, melounia and mandoles. In festivals and weddings of the local community, families and friends gather together to make “soumada” (drink from local almond).