The history of Pastéis de Belém is as rich and flavorful as the pastries themselves. It all began in the early 19th century at the Jerónimos Monastery in the neighborhood of Belém, just outside Lisbon's city center. At that time, Portugal was undergoing political upheaval, and the monastery was forced to close.
To sustain themselves, the monks at the monastery began selling pastries made from a secret recipe. The recipe, which included a delicate custard filling encased in layers of crispy, flaky pastry, was closely guarded by the monks.
In 1837, with the monastery closed and the recipe no longer in exclusive possession of the monks, the owners of a nearby sugar refinery purchased the recipe from them. They opened a bakery called "Pastéis de Belém" near the monastery, where they began selling the now-famous pastries to the public.
Since then, Pastéis de Belém has become an iconic destination for locals and tourists alike, drawing visitors from around the world who flock to the bakery to taste these delectable treats. Despite the passage of time, the recipe remains a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few at the bakery.
Today, Pastéis de Belém continues to uphold the tradition of making these mouthwatering pastries by hand, following the original recipe as closely as possible. Each bite is a delightful blend of creamy custard and crisp pastry, a true taste of Lisbon's culinary heritage.
