Friday March 29th, 2024
Download SceneNow app
Copied

Egyptian Bakery Pastel Makes Traditional Russian Honey Cake 'Medovik'

Sponge cake, and layers on layers of cream, this Russian delicacy is now being served in five different flavours by an Egyptian bakery.

Kurt Galalah

Why did the Soviets crumble? Was it because they ate too much cake? Was it because they introduced a multi-party system that slowly but surely triggered it’s demise? Mayhaps. Who knows. All we know is that in the 19th century, a young and plucky Russian chef wanted to woo Empress Elizabeth Alexeievna, he baked a cake with honey and THICC sour cream. Unbeknownst to him, the princess hated honey. But she ate it, fell in love with it and the chef’s head remained intact. The cake in question? The Medovik. A Russian delicacy that was widely popular during the Soviet era.


The bakery only makes the Russian cake 


Now fast forward a couple of centuries, to a time when social distancing isn’t you feeling especially unsocial and just pray your friends cancels plans so you don’t have to, but a method to, you know, save lives. A time when raiding a fridge is less of a quirk and more of a growing concern. That time is now, and what should be in said fridge should be Egyptian bakery Pastel, who are now making the Medovik in five different flavours (vanilla, caramel, coffee, Nutella, and Lotus).


If you've never had it, it tastes like the perfect marriage between biscuits, Graham crackers, and gingerbread cookies stuffed with dulce de leche whipped cream.


The Lotus cake from Pastel


Pastel is a delivery-only spot but it plans to have a physical location quite soon. You don't need to worry though, they don't take sides and do, in fact, deliver anywhere in Cairo.