They are a butter-based pastry, traditionally hand-shaped, with egg glaze on top.

Koulourakia are well known for their sprinkle of sesame seeds and distinctive ring shape.

[2] In fact, the word is the diminutive form for a ring-shaped loaf or roll.

[citation needed] The pastries are traditionally shaped into spirals, but can be shaped into braided circles,[3] hairpin twists, figure eights, twisted wreaths, horseshoes or Greek letters.

They are commonly eaten with morning coffee or afternoon tea.