Portuguese Traditions
Pastel de Nata / Egg Custard Tart
The custard tart is the most popular Portuguese pastry, produced and enjoyed all around the world and our best selling product. The pastel de nata is made with a flaky puff pastry tart filled with a creamy egg custard; with hints of vanilla and lemon flavours. It is believed the pastel de nata were created before the 18th century by Catholic nuns at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, Lisbon. One of the popular and tasty treats worldwide, it is no surprise that our customers of many backgrounds keep coming back for more.
The custard tart is the most popular Portuguese pastry, produced and enjoyed all around the world and our best selling product. The pastel de nata is made with a flaky puff pastry tart filled with a creamy egg custard; with hints of vanilla and lemon flavours. It is believed the pastel de nata were created before the 18th century by Catholic nuns at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, Lisbon. One of the popular and tasty treats worldwide, it is no surprise that our customers of many backgrounds keep coming back for more.
Brioche / Sweet Bread
Massa Sovada or Pão Doce, Portuguese sweet bread, a soft and sweet bread made with milk, sugar and/or honey to produce a subtly sweet lightly textured loaf. It was traditionally made around the Christmas and Easter holidays (often with hard boiled eggs baked into the loaves for the latter holiday) as a round-shaped loaf, but today it is made and available year round. The bread is usually served simply with butter or plain, sometimes eaten with meals (breakfast in particular), but often as a dessert accompany coffee or tea.
Massa Sovada or Pão Doce, Portuguese sweet bread, a soft and sweet bread made with milk, sugar and/or honey to produce a subtly sweet lightly textured loaf. It was traditionally made around the Christmas and Easter holidays (often with hard boiled eggs baked into the loaves for the latter holiday) as a round-shaped loaf, but today it is made and available year round. The bread is usually served simply with butter or plain, sometimes eaten with meals (breakfast in particular), but often as a dessert accompany coffee or tea.
Bolo Rei / King’s Cake
Bolo Rei, translated to King Cake, is a traditional Portuguese festive fruit cake, which is enjoyed during the Christmas season, specifically till the Solemnity of Epiphany – commemorated on January 6th. The bolo rei is white, soft baked dough, round with a hole in the centre to symbolize a crown. The cake is decorated using dried and candied fruit and nuts symbolizing the many jewels that a crown would have. Traditionally, every cake contains a lima bean; whoever has the bean in their piece must make or purchase the cake for next year.
Bolo Rei, translated to King Cake, is a traditional Portuguese festive fruit cake, which is enjoyed during the Christmas season, specifically till the Solemnity of Epiphany – commemorated on January 6th. The bolo rei is white, soft baked dough, round with a hole in the centre to symbolize a crown. The cake is decorated using dried and candied fruit and nuts symbolizing the many jewels that a crown would have. Traditionally, every cake contains a lima bean; whoever has the bean in their piece must make or purchase the cake for next year.
Bolos de Bacalhau / Codfish Cakes
Codfish cakes are a popular Portuguese snack made with potatoes, codfish, eggs, parsley, spices and other seasonings. In Portugal, you can find them at just about every establishment from gas stations, groceries, bars, cafes, and restaurants. The codfish cakes are fried and served before meals, as a snack, or sometimes even in a bun as a sandwich; they are a staple appetizer at all gatherings. For those who enjoy crab cakes, bolos de bacalhau are very similar with their fluffy texture and taste.
Codfish cakes are a popular Portuguese snack made with potatoes, codfish, eggs, parsley, spices and other seasonings. In Portugal, you can find them at just about every establishment from gas stations, groceries, bars, cafes, and restaurants. The codfish cakes are fried and served before meals, as a snack, or sometimes even in a bun as a sandwich; they are a staple appetizer at all gatherings. For those who enjoy crab cakes, bolos de bacalhau are very similar with their fluffy texture and taste.
Rissois de Camarao / Shrimp Patty or Turnover
The shrimp patty is a savory snack with a creamy, rich filling made with shrimp, minced onions, salsa, and spices. Rissios de camarão are a snack commonly served as an appetizer or as a light snack. More often than not, they are usually paired with codfish cakes when typically served at bars, restaurants, and cafes.
The shrimp patty is a savory snack with a creamy, rich filling made with shrimp, minced onions, salsa, and spices. Rissios de camarão are a snack commonly served as an appetizer or as a light snack. More often than not, they are usually paired with codfish cakes when typically served at bars, restaurants, and cafes.
Folares de Pascoa / Easter Sweet Bread
The folare de Pasco, is a traditional Easter loaf of sweet bread. It is a soft, tasty sweet bread hand rolled with hardboiled eggs (shelled) inside and baked until a golden shine. The folares range in size depending on the number of eggs; they vary from one egg to sometimes including a dozen eggs. Most people skip on the eggs and just dig their hands into the sweet bread, often making the perfect dessert to a hot coffee or tea.
The folare de Pasco, is a traditional Easter loaf of sweet bread. It is a soft, tasty sweet bread hand rolled with hardboiled eggs (shelled) inside and baked until a golden shine. The folares range in size depending on the number of eggs; they vary from one egg to sometimes including a dozen eggs. Most people skip on the eggs and just dig their hands into the sweet bread, often making the perfect dessert to a hot coffee or tea.