Have you ever heard of a drink called "Somata"? Is it common in your country?

Posted by cyanopsittaspixiiiii@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 18 comments

Apparently it was really common in southwestern Turkey before 2000's, as I have seen from online forums and with the confirmation of my grandfathers friend group. It's similar to almond milk.

Apparently a Rumelian Turk who had a cafe house introduced the drink but I cannot find anything about it except that it originates from Crete, which is weird because I go to Rhodes every summer and have never heard of it but that may be because it's a winter drink. It does sound Greek though.

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Mother-Astronaut8784@reddit

Looks like salep

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cyanopsittaspixiiiii@reddit (OP)

Apparently it's served hot in Turkey as a cozy drink as an alternative to salep, but online sources claim that it's served cold in weddings in Crete

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kamarjera@reddit

Not only in weddings. It is offered as a cold refreshment to tourists visiting the villages, in winter consumed as a hot beverage.

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kamarjera@reddit

Soumada 🌸A traditional beverage in Crete, made from bitter almonds. Served cold in summer and hot in winter.

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Exotic_Cantaloupe_96@reddit

I thought it was only a chios thing, just looked it up and its a traditional drink in Crete and Nisyros as well. Amazing drink especially very very cold.

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cyanopsittaspixiiiii@reddit (OP)

It's common in Chios, Nisyros and Crete but not Rhodes?? Literally how

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kamarjera@reddit

In Rhodes there is souma 😄

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cyanopsittaspixiiiii@reddit (OP)

Yeah souma definitely exists lol

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kamarjera@reddit

Do they traditionally serve it at weddings too in Chios? Yes, it is very refreshing. I like it with my shot of tsikoudia 👌🏻

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Exotic_Cantaloupe_96@reddit

Engagements and weddings yes, it s symbolic of purity, love etc. But its also a very popular refreshment for kids in the summer, that's how i know it. My grandmother is from chios and she would give me soumada when i would spend the summer there.

Never had it with alcohol, i will try it, although i live in the uk now i always have raki at home. I like to make rakomelo in the winter.

Crete is amazing btw, i visited 2 years ago and expored the western part. Best food i ever had, scenery and nature are magical and the people are so hospitable and authentic authentic. There is a bad reputation with cretans being sometimes aggressive but i didnt have any bad incident myself.

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kamarjera@reddit

I first tasted it as a hot version when being sick with the cold. My neighbour, a retired doctor, recommended to mix a good splash of raki in the steamy cup, hot toddy style. I definitely got better in a short while😄Rakomelo is great ‘farmako’ too.

I have not been to Chios yet, but have received great presents from there - pure, not sugary Mastiha and the most delicious tsoureki I’ve ever tasted in Greece 🫠

I love Crete and like you have never had bad experience with the locals. Truly authentic in their wild side too. Western Crete offers so much to explore and leaves one with the longing to come back for more.

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