It has a segmented shape resembling fingers of bread, which give it its name of 'finger bread'[4] (Δάχτυλα, Daktyla in Greek means "fingers"[1]), which is made by making deep slashes in a loaf before baking,[3] or making a row of rolls of dough and allowing them to become attached to each other at proving stage.[1] It is traditionally made from a 'country' flour, which is a mix of wheat flours and fine cornmeal, which gives it a light yellow colour,[1] and is topped with sesame and nigella seeds,[2][3] some recipes also include nigella seeds in the dough.[3][5]
In Cyprus, the name daktyla is also used for long, thin pastries stuffed with almonds, cinnamon, and sugar, then fried and soaked in a syrup flavored with orange blossom water or rose water.[6][7][8][9]
