The Catalan cream is one of the most iconic desserts in traditional Catalan cuisine. Its origins, as well as its true creator, remain a mystery, but thanks to medieval literary heritage, various anecdotes about its provenance have been preserved. In this article, we share two of the most well-known stories about this Catalan dessert, which, like many dishes on our menu, has surprising stories that will make you feel like a true gourmet.
The Clergy’s Sweet Appetite
In the 18th century, in the former Kingdom of Aragon, there was a remote Catalan convent at the foot of the mountains, inhabited by a community of nuns. On one occasion, these nuns received a visit from an important Catalan bishop, renowned for his refined palate.
To satisfy his appetite, the nuns prepared a homemade flan, a task assigned to the youngest sister in the convent. However, the novice removed the flan before it had fully set and improvised a caramel base to save the dish. When the bishop tasted the dessert, he shouted “¡crema, crema, quema!” (“cream, cream, it burns!”) upon feeling the heat of the caramel. Once recovered from his surprise, the bishop praised the nuns for the dish, which was then named “Catalan cream” in his honor.
The Dessert That Conquered Casanova
In the same century, it is said that the famous libertine Casanova, after seducing a Catalan maiden, decided to explore the city of Barcelona. In one of the plazas, the aroma of a dessert caught his attention and led him to an inn. There, Casanova tasted a dish reminiscent of custard and was captivated by its flavor. Thanks to his recommendation, the recipe gained the attention of royalty and was written down in the book Calaix de Sastre by its creator, the Baró de Maldà, to preserve it for future generations.
The Tribute to Sant Josep
Catalan cream, similar to crème brûlée, is a custard topped with caramel. It appears in medieval cookbooks like the Llibre de Sent Soví and the Llibre del Coch, and is considered one of the oldest desserts in history. Traditionally, Catalan families eat Catalan cream on Saint Joseph’s Day (Father’s Day, March 19) in honor of the saint, known as Jesus’ adoptive father.
Other Ways to Enjoy Catalan Cream
Across the internet and in modern cookbooks, you’ll find different versions of Catalan cream that incorporate new ingredients and flavors into the classic recipe. Some of the most popular versions include:
- Catalan cream ice cream
- Catalan cream shots
- Catalan cream with pumpkin
- Catalan cream with lemon
- Catalan cream mousse
- Catalan cream tartar
- Vegan Catalan cream
- Catalan cream with pineapple
- Chocolate Catalan cream
- Catalan cream with vanilla
- Catalan cream foam
- Three-layer Catalan cream
Is your mouth watering? Don’t miss the chance to enjoy authentic Catalan cream at our Rossini restaurant in Plaza Real. We look forward to seeing you!