Here’s to a happy, prosperous New Year!
We at Oriani honor the traditions! So it was time for the Pitta Cutting ceremony: the Oriani team, Vassilopita, and champagne. We wish everyone happiness, peace and prosperity. Let 2022 be the beginning of all things good.
Not familiar with the Pitta Cutting tradition?
Here are some interesting facts about it:
Vassilopitta is a New Year’s bread or cake, made of a variety of dough, depending on regional and family tradition. Vassilopitta, as Greek tradition dictates, is cut by families (and at Oriani, we are family!) to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year. A coin is hidden in the bread by slipping it into the dough before baking. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time, by order of age from eldest to youngest. Slices are also cut for various symbolic people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include the Lord, St. Basil and other saints or the poor, the household, etc.
The actual name “βασιλόπιτα” comes from βασιλεύς ‘king’ + πίτα ‘cake’, but was reinterpreted as “Basil’s (Βασίλειος) cake”.
