In the world of Christmas confections, Greece has once again made headlines. According to the international culinary guide Taste Atlas, a beloved Greek dessert has been voted the best Christmas treat in Europe.
The dessert in question, melomakarona, topped the charts with an impressive score of 4.4 stars. Announced on Christmas Day, the ranking highlights the traditional Greek sweet’s rich flavors and cultural significance. Despite its supposed origins in ancient Phoenicia, melomakarona have become a quintessential part of Greek Christmas celebrations. These delectable semolina cookies are infused with honey, orange zest, cinnamon, and a medley of spices, combined with olive oil and cognac. Once baked, they are bathed in a honey syrup and finished with a sprinkle of ground walnuts. There exists a variant known as “Fionikia,” which is sometimes fried and served sans walnuts, but today both names are often used interchangeably.
In a competitive culinary field, baklava also achieved a high rating, though it is recognized as an Albanian or Turkish specialty. Other notable desserts in the Taste Atlas list include the traditional walnut pie with a 3.8 score, Verona’s pandoro at 4.1, and panettone at 3.7. The French classic Christmas cake garnered a 3.9, while British pudding lagged behind at 2.9.
Separately, a survey conducted by Opinion Poll for Action 24 named gingerbread the unofficial “king of Christmas” during the festive season. Yet, when survey participants were asked about their favorite Christmas dessert, melomakarona emerged as the clear winner. A significant 60% chose melomakarona, with kourabie, diples, and other desserts trailing behind.
As the holiday season continues, melomakarona’s win serves as a reminder of Greece’s enduring culinary traditions and the universal love for holiday sweets.
