Why Mediterranean is the cuisine of the season

Platters groaning with fresh produce, artfully drizzled with superb olive oil and served with a fresh, milky cheese and maybe a cured meat or two for good measure. Simple pasta dishes showcasing the quality of the ingredients used and presented under lashings of Parmesan. Pillowy pittas to dip into creamy, intensely savoury hummus served alongside buttery olives.

To us Brits, Mediterranean food is the taste of sunshine, holidays, happy times – so no wonder it’s one of our favourite cuisines to tap into.

Pasta is of course a weeknight staple, able to turn even the most humble of ingredients into a filling feast, but we’re branching out too; Spanakopita, an at-once crisp and creamy dish made with light filo pastry, fresh cheese and spinach is becoming an increasingly popular choice for picnics, and the boundaries are shifting to incorporate influences from further afield – star gourmand Ottolenghi masterfully blends Middle Eastern flavours such as tahini and harissa from Northern Africa with salads and grilled dishes that would comfortably sit within Mediterranean menus.

“Mediterranean food has always held a special place in people’s hearts, but its appeal has grown even further since UNESCO recognised Italian cuisine as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2025,” explains Clara Cardillo, co-founder of The Cotswold Cardillo. “This acknowledgement celebrates the ‘art of cooking’ as a daily ritual passed down through generations — a way of life rooted in conviviality, raw ingredient sourcing and biodiversity.”

For Rollo Millership, founder of Nourished Communities, Mediterranean food is always a smart stocking choice. “Customers love the quality and flavour of these products, many of which are associated with a healthy Mediterranean diet and holidays by the Med. At the same time brands like Odysea and Belazu deliver a lot of flavour for their competitive prices. Many of the Mediterranean products also lend themselves to communal sharing occasions & means they are also heavily social foods perfect for summer!”

“I think that there is enormous potential in Mediterranean food products in the UK market,” says Rollo, who sees a particular opportunity in health-driven customers. “We are seeing a wave of nutritionists advocating Mediterranean food for weight loss, reducing inflammation and managing blood sugar levels. I think we will see Mediterranean food products evolving to be more health-focused bringing together traditional ingredients with modern dietary needs.”

He provides beans as a strong example: “We are witnessing the renaissance of beans that are high in fibre and rich in protein. With the proliferation of high protein diets, I think we will start to see different flavoured halloumis as we are seeing with butter.”

Paint a picture

Put simply, Mediterranean food brings to mind two key aspects for UK shoppers – simplicity which wows thanks to fabulously fresh, excellent quality ingredients, and togetherness.

“Mediterranean food appeals because it’s simple, fresh, and built around quality ingredients. When it’s done properly, it doesn’t need to be complicated. The flavour comes from the produce itself,” says Daniel, cofounder of Mediterranevm Bray.

“Mediterranean food is simple, but the quality behind it is what really changes the experience. There’s also a strong social element to it. It’s about sharing food and enjoying the experience, which is something people are increasingly looking for.”

For Clara, Mediterranean food represents family, tradition, simplicity, and seasonality. “It’s the joy of sharing a table, the comfort of familiar flavours and the pride of recipes passed down through generations. When I cook,” she says, “I’m transported straight back to my Nonna Pina’s kitchen — waking up at 7am on a Sunday to the smell of ragu simmering on the stove while the moka pot brewed the best espresso I’ve ever tasted. That sense of warmth, love and belonging is what Italian food carries with it.”

As much as there is plenty of Mediterranean food we all know and love, Daniel thinks we’re missing a trick when it comes to authentic Mediterranean food. “People know the classics but often haven’t experienced them done properly. The biggest difference is in the quality and sourcing, whether it’s fresh fish selected daily, or premium cuts like 40-day aged steaks.”

Plus, he says, “There’s also a lot more to explore beyond the well-known dishes, especially regional recipes and traditional ways of preparing ingredients.”

Lana Bhikha, managing director of Edesia Fine Foods, has experienced the value of this first hand. “One of customers has been in the industry for nearly 40 years and told us that our marinated artichokes are the best he’s ever tasted… It can’t be a coincidence that we source them from a family that has been growing artichokes for over 50 years and marinating them for around 40 years.” The artichokes are still hand-sliced and rubbed with the marinade by hand, in the traditional way. “It’s very much details like this that make Mediterranean food stand out,” says Lana. 

How to make it work for your shop

For Gianfranco Perri, CEO of Just Gourmet Foods, the seasonality inherent within Mediterranean cuisine is what makes it so special.

“Across the Mediterranean there’s a culture of working with nature in the same way as things have been done for generations. You farm your tomatoes and make pasta sauce in the summer. You have olive trees and make oil in the autumn.” The warmer climate helps here, ripening produce to its peak.

What can you do?:

● Paint a picture with your Mediterranean food – showcase the produce that went into it and highlight its short ingredients list
● Use it within a celebration of the season – don’t stock the same products year-round; deliver seasonal interest
● If you know the story behind a product, share it – much Mediterranean food is produced by a family-run business, which is a key selling point

Trending now

● Flavours from the Middle East and North Africa – such as tahini and harissa
● Beans – used in many Mediterranean dishes and currently star sellers thanks to their health credentials
● Fresh herbs – add colour and aromatic flavour to drizzles and couscous or ancient grain salads