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Olive oil, cheese, herb Mediterranean spread
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES
GI
POTASSIUM
FIBER
2 tablespoon (medium) of Crete Spread (40 g) has 108 calories. That works out to 270 calories per 100 g. It contains 1.7 g of carbs, 3 g of protein, 9.6 g of fat and 0.5 g of fiber. Its 0.3 µg of B12 covers 13% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Crete Spread is a thick, savoury meze associated with Cretan-style cooking in Turkey’s Aegean region. It is usually made by combining cheese with olive oil and herbs; some versions also include olives, garlic or walnuts. The mixture is often left coarse rather than beaten completely smooth.
Its salty, herbal flavour and rich texture work well on bread or alongside other small plates. In Turkey it may appear at breakfast, with tea or as part of a meze spread; elsewhere, serve it as a dip with vegetables or crusty bread. With olive oil and cheese as its main ingredients, it is rich and satisfying, so a modest spoonful can go a long way.
Selected: 100 g
270
KCAL / 100G
Carbs
4.2g
· 2% DV
Protein
7.5g
· 15% DV
Fat
24g
· 31% DV
Fiber
1.2g
· 4% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 6% · Protein 11% · Fat 83%
Vitamins
B12
0.8µg · 33% DV
Vitamin A
180µg · 20% DV
B2
0.22mg · 17% DV
Vitamin E
2.1mg · 14% DV
Minerals
Sodium
590mg · 26% DV
Calcium
220mg · 22% DV
Phosphorus
120mg · 17% DV
Zinc
1mg · 9% DV
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 270 calories in 100 g:
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
7.2g
MONOUNSATURATED
13.5g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.1g
Omega 6:3 ratio 9.2:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (9.2:1).
Crete Spread is typically a savory mixture of cheese, chopped olives, olive oil, walnuts, and herbs. Garlic or lemon may appear in some recipes, so the exact flavor and texture vary between homemade and deli versions.
To make Crete Spread, crumble cheese and mix it with finely chopped olives, walnuts, herbs, and enough olive oil to bind it. Keep some pieces intact for texture, then chill the mixture briefly before serving.
No. Tapenade is primarily an olive paste, while Crete Spread commonly combines olives with cheese, nuts, and herbs. Crete Spread is usually creamier and more textured, rather than a smooth, olive-only spread.
Feta-style cheese or a mild, soft cheese works well in Crete Spread. A salty, crumbly cheese gives it a sharper flavor, while a mild cheese makes the mixture softer; taste before adding any extra salt.
Serve Crete Spread chilled or cool, with toasted bread, pita, crackers, or raw vegetables for dipping. It also works as part of a mezze platter; stir it before serving if olive oil has collected on top.
Yes, Crete Spread can flavor pasta when loosened with a little hot pasta water. Stir it through just before serving rather than boiling it, which can make the cheese separate and mute the fresh herb flavor.
Crete Spread generally keeps for a few days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Because it contains cheese, return it to the fridge promptly after serving and use a clean utensil each time.
Freezing Crete Spread is not recommended because the cheese can become grainy and release liquid after thawing. Make a smaller batch instead, and keep it refrigerated for the best texture.
Crete Spread can turn watery when the cheese or olives release moisture, or when too much oil is added. Drain the olives well and mix in a little more crumbled cheese to thicken it before serving.
Yes, Crete Spread can be made without walnuts. Leave them out for a smoother mixture, or use extra chopped olives or herbs to retain some texture; the result will still have the characteristic cheese-and-olive flavor.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.