Tsoureki — Greece

Tsoureki delivers the most aromatic Easter bread experience, thanks to mahlepi and mastic resin. This sweet braid, adorned with red-dyed eggs, serves as both symbol and centerpiece at the Greek Easter table. A single loaf provides roughly 2,800 calories, making it a dense, celebratory treat. It outperforms #4 Hot Cross Buns in complexity of flavor, with floral notes from the mastic that transform each bite. Families pull it apart after midnight Resurrection service, sharing the eggs as tokens of new life. The bread stays fresh for up to three days—30% longer than the average Easter bun—due to the preservative quality of mahlepi. Its distinctive cherry-seed essence sets it apart from any other Easter bread globally.