What Greek pudding is made by boiling grape must with flour?

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The Greek pudding made by boiling grape must with flour is moustalevria.

Moustalevria is prepared from grape must—the unfermented juice obtained when grapes are pressed—thickened with flour and cooked until it becomes a soft pudding or jelly. It is strongly associated with the grape harvest, when fresh must is available. Recipes may also include semolina, sugar, sesame, nuts, vanilla, or spices.

The dessert has deep historical roots in Greek food culture. It is traditionally said to have originated in Ancient Greece, where it was known as oinouta. During the Byzantine period, related preparations were called mustopita or pastellos. Regional names still vary: palouzes is used in Cyprus, while kefteria is associated with Crete.

Moustalevria is not the same as pasteli, which is a sesame-and-honey confection, or rizogalo, a rice pudding made with milk. It also differs from moustokouloura: that name refers to cookies made with grape must, while moustalevria is the spoonable pudding. The finished dessert may be served chilled and garnished with nuts or sesame.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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