lisbon >> the pastel de nata.

While she was staying in Lisbon over the summer, my friend Sandy wrote about the world famous Portuguese pastry, the pastel de nata. In it, she laments that she cannot remember her first experience with this tart that has long been an important part of her life.

It might seem silly that, with all that this city has to offer, a simple dessert could stay on the forefront of my mind. But, a carefully savoured pastry is one of those small joys that can sweeten any day. With its own personal and cultural history, a dessert can be just as delectable as the most beautiful monument. So, the pastel de nata was an important item on this week’s to-do list.

We hadn’t been in the city long before I dragged Elyse to the nearest patisserie and I think she perfectly captured the reverence of my first taste, eyes rolled back and all…

And I can tell you, these photos mark the beginning of a love affair with the impossibly smooth custard and perfectly flaky pastry of the Portuguese tart.

What’s the tastiest thing you’ve eaten lately? Can you remember the first time you ate a food that is now an important part of your life?

xx S.