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Miran Pastourma is a famed pastirma and sujuk charcuterie business and market in Athens, Greece. The market has been in operation since 1922. It is considered the charcuterie of the connoisseurs. Despite the Greek economic crisis Miran is expanding its business and has accommodated the increased demand by doubling in size. The founder of the shop, Miran Kourounlian, is considered as the man who brought pastourma to Athens for the first time. It is considered the largest company of its kind in the European Union. The flavour of pastourma coming from the historical enterprise permeates Euripides Street in the centre of Athens. Miran's pastourma as well as its neighbour Arapian's pastourma are considered two of the historical establishments of Athens. Miran's has been on the same spot in Euripidou Street since its opening in 1922. Miran is the recipient of multiple Gourmet prizes.

History

The Miran Pastourma market was founded in Athens in 1922 by Miran Kourounlian, an Armenian from Kayseri, who eventually settled in Athens, Greece. At the time, Miran Kourounlian was already experienced with making pastirma and sujuk and decided to establish a self-named charcuterie business on 45 Evripidou Street near the Omonoia Square of Athens.

The market soon became popular throughout Athens as it was one of the few pastourma and soutzouki sellers in the city. The company became even more popular when Miran Kourounlian's son Bedros took over management in 1960 and began distributing the products throughout Greece. In 1983 the unit of the company building expanded by 1300 m. After the death of Bedros in the 1990's, the family business has been passed to the heirs, brothers Miran and Krikor Kourounlian who continue to manage the business to this day.

Today

Miran Pastourma continues to serve pastourma and soutzouki in its original location on 45 Evripidou Street. In 1994, the third generation of the Kourounlian pastourma makers has started a further expansion of the business both inside Greece and to the European Union.

The company under the management of Miran and Krikor Kourounlian managed to attain a European Union export code in 1994 and are now distributing their products throughout the European Union and other countries.

Miran has taken control of the Athens store while his brother Krikor oversees the factory which produces between seven to ten tons of processed meat products yearly.

According to current manager Miran Kourounlian, the company's success is due to its traditional ways of preparing meat and to the quality of the beef used, which is superior overall to that found in Greece, since it is imported from Argentina. He believes that Greek meat lacks a "consistent quality".

Despite the economic crisis which has hit Greece, Miran has doubled the size of its business. To celebrate the occasion the grandson of Miran along with his brother Krikor and their father Bedros organised a party where they introduced their new product: pastourma made of camel meat.

Their products also include imported and Greek processed meats, cheese and special spices.

The Kourounlians have also signed agreements with similar enterprises in Europe under which the foreign enterprises will tailor their recipes according to the Miran product specifications so that their products will appeal to Greek consumers.

Miran makes the soutzouki from lamb as well as beef and has been described as the ultimate place for a soutzouki.

Prizes

• Gold medal for soutzouki.
• Gold medal for rural sausage of partial maturation.
• Silver medal for pastourmas.
• Eleftherotypia Gourmet Prize.

See also

• Armenians in Greece
• Pastourma

References

1. ^ Περίπατος στην Αθήνα: Ο Μιράν έχει γιορτή Κόντρα στην κρίση, ο Μιράν επενδύει και διπλασιάζει τους χώρους του μαγαζιού του, ενισχύοντας τη σχέση εμπιστοσύνης με τους πελάτες του και τιμώντας την προτίμησή τους. Publication: 05/04/2012 16:28 To Vima
2. ^ Το αλλαντικό των μερακλήδων Δύο αρμένικες οικογένειες διατηρούν την παράδοση στον παστουρμά Ρεπορτάζ: Θόδωρος Νικολάου thnikolaou@dolnet.gr Publication date: Τρίτη 21 Ιουλίου 2009 Ta Nea
3. ^ «Μιράν» «Παστουρματζήδες» τρίτης γενιάς! Το μαγαζάκι στην οδό Ευριπίδου παραμένει η σταθερή αναφορά για μία από τις πιο γευστικές απολαύσεις της Ανατολής To Vima Finance
4. To Vima Ο δρόμος των μπαχαρικών Χρώματα κι αρώματα αναβλύζουν από κάθε γωνιά της Κούσουλα Πέρσα Ευριπίδου Publication: 10/04/2012 07:36
5. ^ "Eastern delicacies in the heart of Athens". Athens News. 26 Jul 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
6. Kerper, selected by Barrie (2004). Athens : the collected traveler (1st ed. ed.). New York: Fodor's Travel Publications. ISBN 9781400050055. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
7. ^ Lifo magazine quote: "Αυτοί που ξέρουν πάνε στον Μιράν και στον Αραπιάν (ο ένας δίπλα στον άλλο, στην Ευριπίδου)" and "Ο Μιράν είναι η Μέκκα του σουτζουκιού και το παρασκευάζει από πρόβειο και βοδινό κρέας, με όλα τα όμορφα και καυτερά καρυκεύματα του πλανήτη Γη" Lifo magazine
8. ^ Eleftherotypia Τα βραβευμένα μπακάλικα - Βραβεία Βραβείο Gourmet Quote: "Αλλαντοπωλείο Miran Το αλλαντοπωλείο Μιράν είναι παλιός γνώριμος των Βραβείων Gourmet. Επιχείρηση οικογενειακή, και μια τέχνη γεμάτη μυστικά που έχει περάσει από γενιά σε γενιά. Εννοούμε φυσικά τη συνταγή παρασκευής παστουρμά, σουτζουκιού και λουκάνικων. Μερικά από τα νέα αλλαντικά που μπορεί να βρει κάποιος είναι αυθεντικό σαλάμι Ουγγαρίας..."
9. Elle Quote: "Άρωμα Ανατολής στην οδό Ευριπίδου Το Παντοπωλείο Μιράν, στο ιστορικό κέντρο της Αθήνας, ξεχειλίζει από τις πιο πικάντικες μυρωδιές. ο μπακάλικο του Μιράν Κουρουνλιάν, με ιστορία ενενήντα χρόνων, εγκαταστάθηκε στην Αθήνα αμέσως μετά τη Μικρασιατική Καταστροφή..." Elle.gr
10. ^ "Η Ιστορία μας" (in Greek). Miran Pastourma: Official Website. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
11. "Miran: Asia Minor in Athens". The6milliondollarstory. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
12. ^ agronews.gr Quote: "Μιράν-Μ. Κουρουνλιάν Ο.Ε. 1.Σουτζούκι – ΧΡΥΣΟ 2.Λουκάνικο Χωριάτικο μερικής ωρίμανσης – ΧΡΥΣΟ 3.Παστουρμάς – ΑΡΓΥΡΟ"

External links

• Managers of Miran Pastourma describing the business (YouTube video in Greek)

• Greek businesspeople
• Greek Armenians
• Athens