Tarta de Santiago facts for kids
Typical presentation with the Cross of the Order of Santiago
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| Alternative names | Torta de Santiago |
|---|---|
| Course | dessert |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Region or state | Galicia |
| Serving temperature | chilled/room temperature |
| Main ingredients | ground almonds |
Tarta de Santiago is a delicious almond cake from Galicia, a region in Spain. Its name means "cake of St. James." This special cake has been around since the Middle Ages and is linked to the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
The main ingredients for this yummy cake are ground almonds, eggs, and sugar. Sometimes, people add other flavors like lemon zest, sweet wine, or a type of brandy. The exact recipe can change a little depending on who is making it.
What is Tarta de Santiago?
This cake is known as Torta de Santiago in Galician and Tarta de Santiago in Spanish. Both names refer to the same tasty dessert. It is usually round and can be made with or without a base. This base can be made from puff pastry or shortcrust pastry.
The Special Cross on Top
The top of the Tarta de Santiago is decorated in a very special way. It has powdered sugar sprinkled all over it. But before the sugar is added, a stencil of the Cross of Saint James (called cruz de Santiago) is placed on top. This stencil blocks some areas, so when it's removed, the shape of the cross appears in the sugar.
This tradition of decorating the cake with the cross started in 1924. A company called "Casa Mora" was the first to add this unique design to their almond cakes. This cross is what gives the cake its famous name.
Protecting the Recipe
In May 2010, the EU gave Tarta de Santiago a special status. It's called "PGI" (Protected Geographical Indication). This means that to be called "Tarta de Santiago," the cake must be made in the region of Galicia, Spain.
Also, the cake must contain at least 33% almonds. This rule helps make sure that the cake is always made in a traditional way. It protects the quality and origin of this famous dessert.
In 2006, Tarta de Santiago was chosen to represent Spain. This happened during an event called "Café Europe," which was part of Europe Day. It showed off the best sweets from different European countries.
