pastéis de nata
Pasteis de nata in Portuguese is pastéis de nata, the traditional custard tarts baked in a puff pastry crust.
pastéis de nata is the plural, used for the tarts in general.
Which one should you use?
pastéis de nata is the generic name for the tart. Pastéis de Belém refers specifically to the famous version made by the original bakery in Lisbon.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular is pastel de nata, one custard tart.
Did you know?
- The recipe for pastéis de nata was created by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery, who used egg whites to starch their clothes, leaving an abundance of yolks for sweets.
- The word nata in pastéis de nata means 'cream', but its linguistic roots are unexpectedly linked to the Phoenician word for a 'bed' or 'couch'.
- In Portugal, these tarts are traditionally served with a sprinkle of cinnamon or powdered sugar on top, which is often added by the customer at the table.
Examples in context
- Eu quero comer dois pastéis de nata.I want to eat two custard tarts.
- Estes pastéis de nata estão deliciosos.These custard tarts are delicious.
- Pode trazer uma caixa de pastéis de nata?Can you bring a box of custard tarts?
Example conversation
Camila and Felipe are at a bakery in Lisbon.
- CamilaFelipe, vamos comprar pastéis de nata?Felipe, shall we buy some custard tarts?
- FelipeSim, eu adoro pastéis de nata quentes.Yes, I love warm custard tarts.
- CamilaEu vou pedir seis para nós.I am going to order six for us.
- FelipeÓtimo, eu pago o café.Great, I will pay for the coffee.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, nata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
