Melopita

Cheese and honey were already paired in ancient Greek cooking, appearing in cakes known as plakountes. Cheese-based cakes were also associated with athletes in ancient Greece, valued as a rich source of energy. Over the centuries, this simple combination survived across the Aegean and found a special home on the island of Sifnos. There, Melopita became closely connected with Easter and spring, when fresh, unsalted local cheese was plentiful after the long fasting period. Unlike many other island cheese pies, the Sifnian version has no pastry. It is made simply with fresh cheese, honey, eggs and a little sugar, then baked until soft, creamy and golden. What began as a humble island dessert eventually gained international attention, with TasteAtlas ranking Melopita as the number one sweet pie in the world.