Portugal may be a small country in size, but its brand in the world is deep and lasting. Over the centuries of history, the Portuguese presence has spread throughout the continents, leaving visible features in both language and architecture, religion and, of course, in gastronomy. In many of the territories once colonized by the Portuguese, still make echoes of this inheritance today, with habits and traditions that continue to reflect the Portuguese influence, even passed several generations. In this article, we will tell you about a traditional Portuguese sweet that ‘conquered’ Asians, more particularly Macau.
What traditional twelve is it about?
We talk about the cream pastel. This traditional candy is one of the most appreciated products of Portuguese sweets. But also outside Portugal, there is a place where this candy gained its own status: Macau.
Inspired by the famous Pastel de Belém, the Macaense Nata Pastel has become part of the local daily life and is now consumed by thousands of people every day, as the blog in the mouths of the world says.
A ‘inheritance’ that reached the tables
Macau was under Portuguese administration for more than four centuries. This connection left marks in various areas of society, such as architecture, language and, above all, in gastronomy. Many typical dishes of Portugal have been adapted to local taste, and cream pastel is one of the most emblematic cases of this merger.
Despite originating from the jeronimal monastery cloister in Lisbon, the pastel of Nata crossed oceans and then arrived in Asia. In Macao, it was reinvented with a different touch, but remained faithful to crispy puff pastry and egg cream filling.
The Macao version
Macau’s cream pastry is distinguished by its darker and more caramelized roof. This version became popular in the 1990s, especially through the Lord Stow’s Bakery Pastry, founded by Andrew Stow. The Briton, resident in Macao, was inspired by Portuguese pastel, adapting the recipe to Asian taste.
The result was, according to the same source, a slightly less sweet candy, with burnt top, which became an immediate success. Creamy texture and mild flavor conquered not only residents but also Chinese visitors and foreigners.
Daily presence in pastries
Nowadays, the cream pastel is sold in virtually all macao pastries, the same source also states. The famous traditional Portuguese sweet can also be found in cafes, bakeries of shopping centers and even international chains such as KFC.
Its consumption is daily and is not associated with any specific occasion.
This traditional Portuguese sweet is usually served to breakfast, such as dessert or during the snack. Its versatility and taste made it a fixed element in the local gastronomime, far beyond the Portuguese community.
We recommend:
Macau continues to ‘taste’ Portugal
Although Macau has passed to Chinese administration in 1999, the cultural connection to Portugal remains very alive. It is estimated that they currently reside between 1,000 and 1,200 Portuguese with legal status in the territory, a number that can rise to 4,000 or 5,000 if the Portuguese descendants are considered, the same source refers.
The cream pastel is one of the most visible brands of this presence. More than a candy, it has become an authentic symbol of a shared identity between cultures that cohabit in a unique space.
The inspiration in the pastel of Belém
The Pastel de Belém, manufactured since 1837 in Lisbon, remains the original reference. The recipe, kept secret, is considered unique. However, its essence served as the basis for the Macaense version, which adapted techniques and flavors without losing the spirit of the conventual sweet, the blog also states.
The burnt top of the macau pastel differentiates it visually compared to Portuguese, but the interior maintains the creaminess and aroma that made it famous in Portugal. The inspiration is evident, even if the end result is slightly different.
The best candy in the world
The traditional Pastel de Belém was considered by Tasteatlas, an online gastronomic guide, as the best candy in the world in 2024.
A light cream, wrapped in a thin layer of puff pastry. It sounds simple, but it is one of the most famous national treasures. Those who pass by Belém in Lisbon cannot ignore the line to get one, or a box of them.
Also read:
