Artisanal Nougat from Syros

In addition to loukoumia, the Greek island of Syros traditionally produces halvadopita, a pastry that resembles a round pie 12 cm wide and 2 cm thick. It consists of two thin sheets of wafer enclosing soft nougat made from egg white, honey, sugar and vanilla. Halvadopita first came to Syros via refugees from the islands of Chios and Psara, which suffered some destruction at the end of the 19th century. This new craft gradually developed and has been perpetuated to this day, thanks in particular to the pastry-makers from Asia Minor who took refuge in Syros following the destruction of Smyrna in 1922. Today, six confectioners remain in Ermoupouli, including Korres.