Bündner Nusstorte facts for kids
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| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Region or state | Graubünden |
| Main ingredients | Shortcrust pastry (flour, sugar, egg, butter) Filling: sugar, cream, milk, nuts (commonly walnuts) |
The Bündner Nusstorte (say "BOOND-ner NOOSS-tor-tuh") is a yummy, sweet pastry from a part of Switzerland called Graubünden. It's also known as the Engadiner Nusstorte. This special cake is filled with delicious, sweet nuts, usually walnuts, mixed with caramel. Even though people have made nut cakes for a long time, the modern, filled Nusstorte became popular in the 1960s. It was first created in the 1920s.
Contents
History of the Nusstorte
While there were recipes for nut cakes in the 1800s, they were different from today's Nusstorte. Those old cakes had nuts mixed into the dough, but they weren't filled.
Who Invented the Modern Nusstorte?
The modern, filled Nusstorte was created by a baker named Fausto Pult. He lived in a region of Graubünden called Engadin. He made his first filled Nusstorte in 1926.
In 1934, Fausto Pult sold his pastries at a big fair in Basel. This helped introduce the Nusstorte to many more people around the world.
Where Did the Idea for Nut Pastries Come From?
The climate in Graubünden is usually too cold for nut trees to grow well. So, people often wonder where the idea for these nut pastries came from. There are a few interesting theories:
- One idea is that a baker who had lived in France brought nut trees back with him. He was able to plant them in a warmer valley called Val Bregaglia.
- Another theory suggests that bakers from Graubünden who lived in France mixed their traditional Fuatscha Grassa pastry with a French nut pastry. When they returned home, they brought this new idea with them.
- A third theory says that many bakers from Graubünden moved to Venice during the Middle Ages. For 300 years, they became experts in making sweets. When they had to leave Venice in 1766, they traveled all over Europe. Many of them eventually settled back in Graubünden. The idea of nut pastries could have easily come from one of these traveling bakers.
How Bündner Nusstorte is Made
Most Bündner Nusstortes are made by small, independent bakers all over Graubünden. Because of this, there are many different recipes. Some of these recipes are kept secret!
Ingredients for the Pastry and Filling
The basic pastry is a classic shortcrust pastry. It's made from flour, sugar, egg, butter, and a little bit of salt.
The delicious filling is made from caramelized sugar. To this, heavy cream or milk is added, along with coarsely chopped nuts. Most of the time, these are walnuts. Sometimes, a little milk or honey is also included in the filling.
Where is it Made?
Bündner Nusstorte is made throughout the entire canton of Graubünden. It's one of the most popular items that independent bakers sell to other countries. It's estimated that Nusstorte sales make up 20% to 40% of what many bakers earn. This makes it a very important source of income for them.
Today, you can also find Bündner Nusstorte in big supermarkets like Coop.
How to Enjoy Bündner Nusstorte
The Nusstorte has a buttery crust and a rich cream and nut filling. It's quite filling! People usually cut it into pieces and eat it as a dessert. It goes great with coffee or tea.
You can buy Nusstorte all year round, and it's easy to find online too. A Nusstorte can stay fresh for several months. This makes it a popular gift, and it can be shipped to people all over the world.
External sources
- Bündner Nusstorte in the online Culinary Heritage of Switzerland database.
