2465) Lithuanian Tree Cake (or "Šakotis"), Lithuania: Lietuvos paštas (Lithuanian Post) has issued a postage stamp of Euros celebrating the famous cake of their country: Date of Stamp issued: 12.08.2022:
Lithuanian “šakotis” or “raguolis” ("tree cake"; literally meaning "branchy"), is a Polish and Lithuanian traditional spit cake.
The main ingredients of Lithuanian Tree cakes “Šakotis” are wheat flour, butter, egg whites and yolks, flour, sugar or honey, and sour cream, cooked on a rotating spit in an oven or over an open fire.
Cooking Tree Cake has been known in European countries since the 15th century.
Its name means "branched tree" or "tree with many branches" due to its distinctive shape (it is often conical, like a pine tree, and with the drips as branches). It is baked in a time and labour intensive process by painting layers of batter onto a rotating spit in a special open oven or over an open fire.
It can be decorated with chocolate and flower ornaments, but it is often served plain.
The cake became popular during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1791).
Its origins are attributed to either the Polish Queen Bona Sforza or the Baltic tribe of Yotvingians:
The Yotvingians, first mentioned in 5th Century B.C. as “neuri” were well known as great warriors and hunters, while Bona Sforza is known to have implemented many agriculture, infrastructure and manufacture reforms.
It is believed that this sweet came to Lithuania from Germany in the 19th century. in the second half, when it started to be baked primarily in manors and parsonages.
It was also baked by monks who kept the recipes for making this delicacy a secret.
It is estimated that there are currently around 60 different Tree cakes recipes in the world, so they can differ both in appearance and taste.
“Šakotis” is one of the most important desserts in Lithuanian celebrations, especially at weddings or other special occasions.
It was the sweet chosen to represent Lithuania in the Cafe Europe initiative of the Austrian Presidency of the European Union on Europe Day in 2006.
In May 2015, in Druskininkai, Lithuania, the record of the biggest šakotis was broken with 372 centimetres (12.20 ft) height and 85.8 kilograms (189 lb) weight.
The Stamp:
This 0.55 Euro postage stamp depicts the Lithuanian Tree Cake (or Šakotis"). At left is an image of the cake being prepared on a spit.
At top right is affixed the 0.55 Euro Stamp cancelled with a special postmark depicting a cross-section of the Tree cake. The cancellation is of Vilnius (the capital of Lithuania) and the cancellation is dated - "12.08.2022".
Technical Details:
Issue Date: 12.08.2022
Designer: U. Žilytė
Printer: Baltijas Banknote, SIA, Latvia
Process: Offset
Size: 30.00 mm x 37.50 mm
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