Flaouna A

Traditional Cypriot Easter Treat

By Chef Evi Chioti, CSF Ambassador for Cyprus and Dr Annita Antoniadou, Archaeologist

Flaouna is an ancient, traditional Cypriot Easter treat, a small festive pastry, therefore rich in ingredients, consumed for the Greek Orthodox celebration day of Resurrection. Flaouna is one of the most unique, hence traditional foods of Cyprus. This pastry has a combination of savoury and sweet ingredients, a taste contrast that is found often in ancient Greek recipes.

The vital ingredient for making flaounas is a seasonal, Cypriot thick goat and sheep milk cheese made only in spring time when the animals are eating fresh grass. The exterior of this special cheese is hard, yellowish with characteristic basket ridges around It is kneaded with sourdough, eggs, raisins and various herbs such as mahleb, N O masticha and a lot of fresh mint, which gives aroma, flavor and in addition it works as a natural preservative in this pastry. Flaouna is coated with sesame and egg mixture and then baked in the oven Certainly, the Mediterranean climate allows for some truly fresh and flavorful ingredients to be used. The mixture is prepared on Holy Friday and the flaounas are oven-baked on Holy Saturday morning The pastry is consumed either warm or cold and it could be preserved for several days.

The word "flaouna" is linked to the Greek "palathi" an ancient pastry with dried fruits and nuts, usually offered for welcoming spring The word ΄palathi' itself is derived from the ancient Greek verb “platho”, meaning to form, to give a certain shape using hands to a relatively soft material. Furthermore, the great Greek physician of antiquity, Galen mentions the Cypriot cheese as a famous local product. Besides during the Roman period, the Cypriot cheese was already known abroad due to its excellent quality suggesting exportation, in addition to local consumption.

Baking Of Flaounas Signifies The Great Joy Of Easter Accompanied By Feasting

The baking of flaounas signifies the great joy of Easter which is accompanied by feasting. Actually, flaouna is a food used to transition Christian Orthodox believers from a long fasting period to eating animal products without causing any stomach ache In the old days every household on the island, no matter how poor it was, considered it a duty to prepare these pastries which they used to take to church on Holy Saturday. Afterwards, they offered a piece to guests as well as to underprivileged families who could not afford to prepare flaounas themselves

”Flaounes” are listed into the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Cyprus, Easter Customs, Under the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO http://www.unesco.org.cy/Programmes-Paschalina ethima,GR-PROGRAMMES-04-02-03-30,GR