Tzatziki is one of the foods preferred by tourists visiting Greece every year and now it’s in the spotlight.
According to the ratings of Taste Atlas users, tzatziki is the second most delicious dip in the world. The first place was won by guacamole, an avocado-based dip that has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few decades.
Taste Atlas lists tzatziki as an “all-time” sauce, since it can accompany meat dishes, pastries, pies, and vegetables.
It is related to similar recipes from Turkey and the Indian raita sauce, but it stands out for its light taste that “hits” the palate perfectly, with the perfect balance of salt, acidity, intensity through the garlic and sweetness due to the cucumber.
The tzatziki and other top dips
Sauces are in the top ten with the favorite salves were:
1. Guacamole
2. Tzatziki
3. Mutabal – A Middle Eastern dip that resembles eggplant salad or baba ganoush, usually made with roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, yogurt, olive oil and salt. The ingredients are mixed or pureed until the dip reaches the desired consistency.
4. Humus bairuti – That is, from Beirut. This Lebanese version of the sauce uses a combination of chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, garlic, yogurt, tahini, cold water, cumin, lemon juice, chili peppers, chopped parsley and paprika.
5. Makalo – Unexpectedly, this original and very strong dip comes to us from North Macedonia and has a garlic base. It is made with garlic, hot oil or butter, wine vinegar, lukewarm water and salt, all of which are added to a wooden bowl and mixed well.
6. Hummus – It may not have been as tasty to some, but the classic hummus, with a mash of chickpeas, tahini, lemon and garlic, is a favorite in Middle Eastern countries and in fusion cuisines around the world.
7. Muhamara – Muhamara reportedly originated in Aleppo, Syria. It is an intensely flavoured sauce based on roasted red peppers, with the addition of olive oil, garlic, salt and roasted walnuts.
8. Salsa de Palta – From far away Peru, this sedimentary dip contains avocado, chopped tomatoes, onions, but unlike guacamole, it stands out because of the grated cloves and the paste of a local hot pepper, aji amarillo.
9. Guasacaca – Another sibling of guacamole from Venezuela this time. It contains natural avocados, cilantro, parsley, roasted bell pepper paste, onion, garlic, olive oil and vinegar.
10. Perch Fritters – Perhaps the most original and “rich” sauce of the ten, from Mexico, it has a deep brown color due to the mashed red beans, chorizo salami, and also contains chipotle and jalapeno peppers, oaxaca cheese, and…pork lard.