By the end of the month, a business dedicated to making
baklava baked from a 19th-century family Greek family recipe will open its
doors at 252 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield Township, according
to the Bucks County Courier Times.
Yia Yia’s Baklava
only began in 2021, but it already has a reputation at the Horsham,
Wrightstown, Warrington, and Berwyn farmers’ markets, and is readily available
on the shelves at Henning’s Market in Harleysville and Weaver’s Way Co-op.
Its rich 40-layer, flaky, buttery, honey syrup-sweetened
phyllo dough baklava is the creation of Christine Samaras, 70, and her son,
Dimitri, who have been selling together with Dimitri’s wife, Leticia.
Christine has had her hands in the dough since she was five,
baking with her mother a recipe passed down for more than 125 years from her
grandmother, dating far back far before the Greek genocide, which her
grandmother survived, to a region that is now Turkey.
So, it’s fitting that “Yia Yia” means, endearingly,
“grandmother” to the Greeks, according to the article.
Per the report, the Samaras’ will have a 3,500-square-foot
shop, with 1,000 square feet dedicated to retail, and the remaining space to be
used for production. It would be an upgrade for the family, as they currently
bake out of a church kitchen.
According to the report, baklava is customarily served on
Greek holidays and Greek weddings, but most commonly is savored as a snack.
Their Yelp page speaks
for itself:
Indulge in the rich and
flavorful treat of Baklava! Made with layers of flaky, buttery phyllo dough,
mixed with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey syrup, our Baklava is a truly
authentic and traditional dessert. Every bite is a symphony of textures and
tastes that will leave you wanting more!
Dimitri wrote on Yelp he has always cherished his bond for
his mother.
“Whenever I received one of her scrumptious boxes of
baklava, I felt a sense of homecoming. Today, it’s my privilege to join forces with
my mother and bring our family’s traditional treat to the world,” states Samaras on
Yelp.
Fans of Yia Yia’s Baklava also left reviews of the business
on the Yelp page.
Stephanie T., from San Francisco, said the baklava is “true
Greek” and is “absolutely delicious.”
Another fan from Philadelphia described the baklava as
“velvety” in texture, and M.C. from Sea Isle City, N.J., wrote Yia Yia’s is a
staple at many holidays.
“We have enjoyed the sweet treat, every mouthful. Looking
forward to trying various flavors going forward. Yummy!” wrote the reviewer.
Read
more on PhillyBurbs.com.
Learn more about
Yia Yia’s Baklava here.
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