Pastel de Nata

Portugal, a land at the edge of Europe, is vibrant with colorful cultures reflecting its rich history and global influences. Among its many culinary treasures, Pastel de Nata (Portuguese Egg Tart) stands out as a beloved sweet delight, cherished by both locals and tourists alike. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the delicious story behind this iconic Portuguese pastry.

The Birth of Pastel de Nata: From Monastery to Legendary Treat

The story of Pastel de Nata began in the 18th century at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jeronimos Monastery) in the Belém district, west of Lisbon, Portugal. Today, this monastery is a significant tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At that time, the monastery housed numerous monks and nuns. It is said that the monks used large quantities of egg whites for starching their clothes, a method to keep garments stiff and smooth. This practice resulted in a surplus of egg yolks. The nuns residing there creatively utilized these leftover egg yolks by transforming them into a rich, creamy custard filling. They then baked this custard with flaky pastry dough, creating the delicious sweet pastry known as Pastel de Nata, or the Portuguese egg tart as we know it today.

Pastel de Nata: Transition to the Public

Initially, however, Pastel de Nata remained a sweet treat reserved exclusively within the monastery walls, not widely known to the public. That changed with the Liberal Revolution in 1820, which brought about significant political and social changes in Portugal. Many religious institutions, including this monastery, were closed down. Former monks and nuns had to seek livelihoods outside the monastery. They began selling pastries at a nearby sugar refinery to earn income, and eventually, the secret recipe of Pastel de Nata was sold to the owner of this refinery.

In 1837, the sugar refinery owner opened a bakery named Pastéis de Belém (pah-STAYSH deh beh-LEM), specifically to sell Pastel de Nata. With this, Pastel de Nata became known to the general public and rapidly gained immense popularity, becoming one of Portugal's national desserts. Today, Pastéis de Belém still operates, with countless tourists visiting to taste the original recipe. It is indeed considered the oldest and a living legend of Pastel de Nata bakeries.

Diversity and International Recognition

Over time, many other restaurants and bakeries throughout Portugal began to develop their own versions of Pastel de Nata, making slight adjustments to the taste or texture. However, despite the emergence of numerous new recipes, what sets Pastel de Nata from Pastéis de Belém apart is its unique secret recipe inherited from the former monks and nuns, which maintains its original and inimitable traditional character.

In recent years, Pastel de Nata has become a symbol of Portuguese culinary heritage, quickly gaining international popularity. You can now find delicious Pastel de Nata all over the world, including London, New York, Tokyo, Macau, Brazil, Thailand, and many other countries. This truly demonstrates the charm of this small sweet treat that has captivated hearts globally.

Pastel de Nata is more than just an egg tart; it represents Portugal's history, creativity, and unique flavor. At Rimping Supermarket, we offer a wide array of high-quality ingredients, including ready-made pastry dough, eggs, milk, and other components, ready for you to create delicious Pastel de Nata at home. Experience the legendary taste of Portugal that you're sure to love!