Maids of honour tart facts for kids
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| Type | Tart |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Surrey |
| Main ingredients | Puff pastry, Cheese curds |
The Maids of Honour tart is a yummy, traditional English pastry. It's also sometimes called a Maids of Honour cake or Richmond Maids of Honor. This sweet treat has a light, flaky puff pastry crust. Inside, it's filled with a creamy mix made from cheese curds. Sometimes, people add tasty extras like jam, almonds, or a sprinkle of nutmeg. Long ago, these tarts were often made with sweetened milk curds.
Contents
The Story Behind the Name
The Maids of Honour tart has a fun story about how it got its name. It's said to date back to the time of King Henry VIII of England.
King Henry VIII's Discovery
One day, King Henry VIII saw some of the Queen's Maids of Honour eating these small cakes. Maids of Honour were young women who helped the Queen. The King was curious and asked to try one. He loved the taste so much that he decided to name the delicious tarts after the maids themselves!
Another Idea for the Name
There's another idea about the name. Some people think the tarts were named after Anne Boleyn. She was a Maid of Honour at the time and later became one of King Henry VIII's wives. It's thought that she might have made these special cakes for him.
Where to Find Them Today
These famous tarts are still enjoyed in England. There's a very old tea room in Kew, which is in Surrey, England. This tea room is called "The Original Maids of Honour." It has been selling these specific tarts since the 1700s! It was set up just to make and sell these popular pastries.
