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Although there are a plethora of must-try meals in Barcelona, crema Catalana is undoubtedly the star amongst these with a candy tooth. Lengthy earlier than I began my Barcelona meals excursions, Spain’s reply to crème brûlée rapidly grew to become one in all my favourite native confections.

In the event you’re unfamiliar with this heavenly custard-based deal with, concern not, as I’ve put collectively this tell-all information for having fun with the best crema catalana in Barcelona!

What’s Crema Catalana and Its Historical past

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Crema Catalana is a Barcelona treasure, and it’s been a preferred dessert for hundreds of years. It consists of a cinnamon and citrus-infused custard with a crunchy layer of caramelized sugar on prime.

Regardless of bearing many similarities to crème brûlée and crème anglaise, there are a couple of key variations. As a result of crema Catalana makes use of milk moderately than cream, it’s lighter than crème brûlée, and in contrast to crème anglaise, it has a considerably thicker consistency and isn’t usually flavored with vanilla.

This dish appeared in Llibre de Despatched Soví, the earliest Catalan cookbook, within the Center Ages nevertheless it’s not fully clear how the recipe got here to be. Some of the generally accepted tales is {that a} group of Catalan nuns created the dish by mistake when making ready a flan for a visiting bishop.

Over time, the dessert grew to become a a part of the St. Joseph’s Day celebrations each March, which is why many confer with it as ‘crema de Sant Joseph.’

Conventional Substances and Preparation

​​Utilizing contemporary, native substances is crucial relating to conventional crema Catalana recipes and preparation methods.

For an genuine crema Catalana, you’ll want:

• Egg yolks
• Milk
• Sugar
• Citrus zest
• Cinnamon
• Cornstarch or flour (elective)

The custard must be simmered rigorously till it achieves the proper, silky consistency, after which must be transferred into ramekins appropriate for particular person parts. When you’re able to serve, mud some sugar on prime of every dish and use a blowtorch or pala to kind the signature caramelized crust.

Trendy Variations and Artistic Takes

Except for the traditional preparation, crema Catalana is available in numerous different varieties. In the event you’re desirous to pattern from reinventions of this time-honored deal with, look out for crema Catalana cookies, ice cream, and different distinctive creations in gastronomic hubs like El Born and the Gothic Quarter.

Attention-grabbing Information and Trivia

• When the Catalans nuns unintentionally crafted this dessert, the bishop for whom it was made exclaimed ‘crema,’ which is believed to have impressed the identify of the dish.
• Whereas crema Catalana in Barcelona is usually related to St. Joseph’s Day, it’s accessible all 12 months spherical and is significantly widespread on Sundays.
• Loads of theories exist in regards to the origins of crema Catalana, however the lack of readability in regards to the backstory provides to the attract of the dish.

Finest Locations to Eat Crema Catalana in Barcelona

Bodega La Palma

Picture credit score: Bodega La Palma

The rustic Bodega La Palma got here really useful by a number of fellow foodies, a lot of whom reckoned it boasted the tastiest crema catalana in Barcelona. I’m at all times slightly skeptical once I hear statements like this, however I’ve to confess, the mild but velvety custard and lingering hints of citrus immediately received me over!

Bodega La Palma – 08002 Barcelona – Open each Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to five:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am, closed each Sunday.

Lokal Bar

Picture credit score: Lokal Bar

I got here to the inviting, brick-clad Lokal Bar for tapas, nevertheless it was the crema Catalana that ended up being the spotlight of the meal. Each chunk had a stunning steadiness of tastes and textures, from the heat cinnamon notes of the custard to the crackling, super-sweet crust.

Lokal Bar – 08009 Barcelona – Open day-after-day from 12:00 pm to three:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Granja M. Viader

Picture credit score: Granja M. Viader

Broadly thought of probably the greatest locations to eat crema Catalana in Barcelona, Granja M. Viader definitely lived as much as the hype. With its Mediterranean-inspired decor and native vibe, it was the perfect place to savor a hearty portion of this ultra-smooth custard and its zingy crust.

Granja M. Viader – 08001 Barcelona – Open each Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:15 pm and from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, closed each Sunday.

Pairing Crema Catalana with Native Flavors

Feasting on crema catalana in Barcelona is a should, however if you wish to take your eating expertise to the subsequent stage, I recommend teaming the dessert with a becoming wine!

A few of my favorites embrace:

• Cava – This glowing white wine is a quintessential Barcelona beverage, and its clear, zesty tones mellow the richness of the dish.
• Moscatel – The candy, fruity flavors of moscatel convey a touch of tartness to crema Catalana, and its {smooth} texture enhances that of the custard.
• Sauternes – Sauternes is a dessert wine with a mixture of stone fruit and nutty notes that pairs properly with the dish’s creaminess.

Crema Catalana Tasting Experiences in Barcelona

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In the event you’re something like me and are keen on a cooking class or tasting expertise, I extremely suggest signing up for a crema Catalana workshop! There are a bunch of venues providing masterclasses, and I can vouch for spots like Barcelona Cooking, Cook dinner & Style, and Barcelona Paella Expertise.

Remaining Ideas: Indulging in Crema Catalana

In the event you don’t have at the very least one crema catalana in Barcelona, did you actually go to the Catalan capital? Whether or not you’re making ready your personal or sampling the varieties accessible within the metropolis’s numerous eateries, I’m assured you’ll be hooked on this dreamy concoction.

Sources:

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals information: What & the place to eat in Barcelona. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/barcelona-food/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals excursions. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/

Bodega La Palma. (n.d.). Bodega La Palma. Menu World. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from https://bodega-la-palma.menu-world.com/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Lokal Bar – Restaurant opinions & photographs. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d14068352-Opinions-Lokal_Bar-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Granja Viader. (n.d.). Granja Viader. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from http://www.granjaviader.cat/

Barcelona Cooking. (n.d.). Barcelona Cooking – Cooking courses & meals excursions. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from https://www.barcelonacooking.internet/en/

Cook dinner & Style. (n.d.). Cook dinner & Style – Cooking courses in Barcelona. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from https://cookandtaste.internet/en/

Barcelona Paella Expertise. (n.d.). Barcelona Paella. Retrieved Could 10, 2025, from https://barcelona-paella.com/