Matnakash is a traditional bread consisting of a smooth, elastic dough made with flour, yeast, water, sugar, salt, and oil. Originally, it was prepared only with flour and water, and without yeast. Before it is baked in a well-steamed oven, the dough is usually topped with a type of flour mixture consisting of flour and water or black tea, which lends the bread a unique, crispy crust that complements its soft and slightly chewy interior.
This Armenian flatbread has a distinctive oval or round shape, and its surface is adorned with a traditional pattern of indentations. Its name matnakash translates to finger draw or finger pull and is derived from the traditional way of adorning the bread’s top by using one’s fingers.