×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Wednesday
11
Feb 2026
weather symbol
Athens 14°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Mediterranean cooking

The Greek Christmas dessert that was named the best in the world

Greek melomakarona named world’s best cookies by international taste platform

Newsroom December 22 02:13

It has often gone head-to-head with its rival, the kourabiedes (Greek almond cookie), even appearing in a children’s book, and has come out the winner. It also wins the preferences of those who try to watch their diet, as while they cannot resist a festive sweet, they at least choose the one with fewer calories. Now, melomakarona (Greek honey cookies) have reached the top of the world, according to a new list by the international tasting platform Taste Atlas—though perhaps not in the category we might expect: they are titled “the best cookies in the world,” taking the number one spot on a list of one hundred sweets from around the globe.

Specifically, it is noted that although they were introduced by the ancient Phoenicians, today they are considered a traditional Greek Christmas sweet. Made from semolina, they are traditionally flavored with honey, orange zest, cinnamon, and other ingredients such as olive oil and cognac. “Immediately after baking, they are soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with ground walnuts. Although some argue that ‘phoínikia’ refers to a slightly different sweet that may be fried and served without nuts, the two names are often used interchangeably.”

The following are the sweets that ranked next in the Taste Atlas list:

Makroud el louse, Algeria: “Flourless cookies made from almonds, eggs, sugar, and orange blossom water. They are baked until lightly browned and then dusted with powdered sugar until completely covered.”

Alfajores, Argentina: Filled cookies with dulce de leche in the middle, coated with a layer of chocolate or dusted with powdered sugar. Their name, derived from the Arabic word al-hasú, means “filled.” They are now especially popular throughout Latin America, having arrived with the Spanish conquistadors.

Stroopwafel, Netherlands: “These tasty cookies consist of a very thin layer of syrup, sugar, butter, and cinnamon between two thin waffles. Invented in the late 18th century in the city of Gouda, they traditionally accompany coffee or tea—it is customary to place one on the rim of the cup and let it warm and soften the syrup inside over the steam.”

>Related articles

A tour of Athens’ pastry shops for Valentine’s Day

Tangerines and their health benefits

How one white wine became a global phenomenon

Petticoat Tails, Scotland: Named “petticoat tails” because their shape resembles a piece of fabric used to decorate the dress of the 16th-century queen Mary of Scotland, as well as the buttery shortbreads themselves. Another less romantic explanation is that they derive from the small French biscuits called petits cotés. In any case, they remain very popular today and, unlike other shortbreads, are often dusted with powdered sugar before accompanying afternoon tea.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#Christmas dessert#Greek Christmas#Greek melomakarona
> More Mediterranean cooking

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Mitsotakis–Erdogan and…President Maria, Vourliotis–Panagopoulos and the civil war in PASOK, the porters of Zoe and the blow to the banks

February 11, 2026

Canada in shock over school bloodbath: Attacker was wearing a dress, reports say

February 11, 2026

Internal crisis in PASOK over Panagopoulos: Dual ballots in PASKE, crucial meeting today on the party congress

February 11, 2026

The 8 hours of testimony by the Wing Commander spy: Approached via LinkedIn, named three individuals

February 11, 2026

Three names provided by the Wing Commander who spied for China: The private companies, “Steven” & his career plans

February 11, 2026

Turkey: Mini cabinet reshuffle overnight by Erdogan – Interior & Justice Ministers replaced

February 11, 2026

Mitsotakis–Erdogan: Meeting at the White Palace to keep channels open – The ministers & the agreements

February 11, 2026

Massacre in Canada: 10 dead from shooting at High School, reports that a woman opened fire

February 11, 2026
All News

> World

Canada in shock over school bloodbath: Attacker was wearing a dress, reports say

Authorities state that they know the identity of the perpetrator but have not yet released it – At least 9 dead from the bloodshed at a middle school and a home in the small community of Tumbler Ridge

February 11, 2026

Turkey: Mini cabinet reshuffle overnight by Erdogan – Interior & Justice Ministers replaced

February 11, 2026

Massacre in Canada: 10 dead from shooting at High School, reports that a woman opened fire

February 11, 2026

Two-thirds of Germans consider the US a threat to world peace

February 10, 2026

Politico outlines a 4+1 step roadmap for Ukraine’s partial EU entry by 2027, sidestepping Orbán’s opposition

February 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα