Emmer wheat, or “Zea” as mentioned in Homer’s narratives, was the grain of the ancient Greeks and a staple in their diet. Archaeological research in prehistoric settlements across Greece and Asia Minor has uncovered Zea seeds dating back more than 12,000 years.

The city of Athens was also known as “Zeidoros” because, in addition to olive trees, Zea was cultivated in its soil. A characteristic testament to this is that a marina in Piraeus is still called Zea today.

After a long absence of emmer wheat cultivation in Greece, it has recently made a comeback in our diet, offering significant health benefits due to its high nutritional value. It contains more protein than any other grain, eight essential amino acids, vitamins A, B, and C, as well as phosphorus and iron.