Provence: Why does niflette have nothing to do with pastel di nata?

Every fall, it’s the same story. A joke to some, a real belief to others, here we go again Nephlet Description: A Pastel de nata For French.”

As the celebration dedicated to him approaches on November 11 in Provence (Saine and Marne)Therefore, we seriously studied this issue, supported by the testimonies of specialists.

You will see that if there is a copy machine, it does not exist in France.

“Niflette is older”

In Provence, a historic city par excellence, Corinne Alaga is a great specialist in medieval pastries, which she sells in… His store Medieval appetite, located in the upper city. It is official:

Nevelette dates back to the Middle Ages, while pastel di nata is younger, because it only appeared in the 19th century, as the pastry chef immediately points out. It is therefore possible that Pastel di Nata was inspired by Nephelet. There is no proof, but if there is a copy, it can only be in this sense… (laughs)

Each of the sweets has its own legend and timeline: Pastel de nata It could have been done in Belem areato LisbonIt was invented by the nuns of the Jeronimos Monastery, before it spread throughout the world PortugalTo please tourists.

Nephlet is seasonal. She’s just getting ready to approach All Saints’ DayAnd only in the governorates and their regions. The story goes that it was served, according to tradition, to orphans who cried and “snored” in front of their parents’ grave.

There are no egg whites in pastilles

So much for historical context. But what about sewing? Here, too, the specialists do not budge: if the pastries are similar, there is no point in comparing them.

“It’s a matter pure and simple Two different recipessays Dominique Gauvillier, the medieval city’s historic pastry chef. Their shape and flavor also vary: Nephrite is flatter and more traditional Scented with orange blossom And vanilla when Pastel de nata, Flavored with cinnamon and lemon, containing a more crumbly, tartlet-shaped puff pastry. »

It is precisely in this funnel shape that the main difference between the two sweets lies. if it was Pastel de nata It is conical in shape, it is preserved More liquid pastry cream It is heavier than nephlet.

“The recipe for Pastel de nata It can vary depending on the sensitivity of the pastry chefs, but one thing is constant: Absence of egg whites In preparing the cream, explains Corinne Alaga, who has already made the Lusitanian pastry. We use only the yolks, unlike Nevelette, where most pastry creams are made from the whites. »

Dominique Gauvillier adds:

It is specifically the egg whites that give this light, airy and delicate aspect to the nephrite. This is why you can eat four to five in a row, while pastel de nata will quickly become overpowering due to its richer, fatty and sweeter side, because it contains almost twice the amount of glucose as nephlet.

Now that you are able to distinguish between the two, and above all explain why, there is no longer any question of perpetuating the cliché.

Niflette is unique, just like Pastel de nataIt was also voted as the best pastries in the world for the year 2023 by the specialized website taste atlas, Which just classified the French crepe as The best candy in the world (Rooster in Doodle Do!).

Pastel di nata, “little so-and-so”?

And if your Portuguese friends keep teasing you, you can always remind them PastelYou can’t offend them, actually To call him “little so-and-so”… Yes Yes !

“There are really real similarities,” Corinne Alaga asserts, without giving the impression that she is walking on eggshells. Karim Al Pastel de nata The flan is creamy, as is the case with many other desserts of this type. »

Enough to part ways, good friend!

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