Type | Bread |
---|---|
Course | Before breakfast |
Kulich (Russian: кули́ч; IPA: [kʊˈlʲitɕ], from Greek κόλλιξ - kollix, and ultimately Hebrew: חלה meaning a roll or loaf of bread) is a kind of Easter bread that is traditional in the Orthodox Christian faith and is eaten in countries like Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia and Serbia.
Traditionally after the Easter service, the kulich, which has been put into a basket and decorated with colorful flowers, is blessed by the priest. Blessed kulich is eaten before breakfast each day. Any leftover kulich that is not blessed is eaten with Paskha for dessert.
Kulich is baked in tall, cylindrical tins (like coffee or fruit juice tins). When cooled, kulich is decorated with white icing (which slightly drizzles down the sides) and colorful flowers. Historically, it was often served with cheese paska bearing the symbol XB (from the traditional Easter greeting of Христос воскресе, "Christ is Risen").
Kulich is only eaten between Easter and Pentecost.
The recipe for kulich is similar to that of Italian panettone.