Portuguese products

Feat photo by eTaste Close enough to Lisbon to justify a day trip, Santarém offers a rich, contrasting experience to the capital, and is a great place to explore the traditions and diversity of the Ribatejo region. While we explored Vila Franca de Xira, also in the same region, in a previous article, Santarém stands…

Feat photo by Hotel Roma Lisbon might not be the first city that comes to mind when one thinks of a Christmas getaway. The chances of a white Christmas are slim to none, and for many, this southern European capital means only sunny warm weather and summer vibes. However, there are many reasons why this…

  “Vinho Verde is called “green wine” because the grapes are unripe.” “Vinho Verde is a type of Portuguese white wine.” “Vinho Verde is fizzy!” “You should drink Vinho Verde while it’s still young!” Feat photo by Divvino No one who actually understands Vinho Verde has ever said any of these! Vinho Verde often evokes…

  Just a short drive from Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira presents an inviting day trip destination that is massively overlooked both by international travelers and even locals in the Portuguese capital. This picturesque town, located along the banks of the Tejo River, opens a window to Portugal’s traditional countryside, particularly interesting for those who…

  In any given Lisbon cafe, you’ll come across a delightful assortment of salgados, that is, savory Portuguese snacks, often on display at the counter, tempting those who came in for something to drink and that soon enough may find themselves nibbling on a crunchy fritter. Amongst options that no one would think twice about…

  In a world where globalization often dilutes the specific flavors of each part of the world, it’s increasingly hard to come across foods which speak highly of the region where they are produced or consumed. We’re not exactly talking about indigenous ingredients, but mostly recipes and food products which are unique to a certain…

  Nestled in the heart of Portugal, Mafra is more than just a picturesque place. As the main city in the Zona Saloia, Mafra embodies the country’s rich agricultural history. This region, historically significant as the primary breadbasket for Lisbon, still resonates with the echoes of its past. Here, agriculture was not just a practice…

  Traditional Portuguese cuisine is notoriously not the most accessible option for those who choose to eat a plant based diet. But at least in Lisbon, just like in most major cities around the world, the number of vegan restaurants offering vegetable based dishes has been increasing in recent years.  Whether it’s done for the…

  In Portugal, Christmas means two things: family and food. And when it comes to family, the more, the merrier. Grandparents tend to be the center of the celebrations and, usually, it is at the grandparents’ house that the family gathers to celebrate. The food is what is on everyone’s mind. It should be enough…

  Indulging in fresh seafood is on the bucket list of many travelers who come to Lisbon and who have a keen interest in food culture. It’s understandable – our Atlantic coast is long and the amazing products we get to extract from it are some of Portuguese cuisine’s greatest delicacies. The best seafood restaurants…

  Portugal has a varied and appetizing range of cured meats and smoked sausages, which we refer to in Portuguese as enchidos. In between blood sausage, chouriço and other pork based creations such as bone and cartilage sausage (butelo), we find alheira, which is arguably the one Portuguese sausage with the most troubled background. Most…

  Working in the hospitality industry is hard and everyone deserves a day off. That’s why many of Lisbon’s restaurants are closed on Sunday and also on Monday, after having a busy weekend. This rings particularly true when it comes to tascas and family-run establishments, as these are simple eateries that are often run by…

To talk about savory snacks in Portugal is almost immediately synonymous with speaking about cod fritters. Indeed pastéis de bacalhau, aka cod cakes, are one of our most well-liked snacks. But they certainly aren’t the only ones.     In Portugal, we eat savories known as salgados in between meals, as appetizers and, sometimes, when…

  We can’t talk about Portugal’s gastronomic traditions without highlighting enchidos, that is, our country’s range of sausages and cured meats. Translating literally, enchidos mean “stuffed”, suggesting the way meats and trimmings are typically preserved inside casings, in the shape of a sausage. Nor all Portuguese enchidos are actually stuffed, but what they do have…

  “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” James Beard American chef and cookbook author James Beard proclaimed his love for bread on the quote above and we couldn’t agree more! 16th of October is World Bread Day, a date which officially…

  If we were to ask international visitors who come to Portugal what their favorite Portuguese dessert is, chances are many would say pastel de nata. The thing is that, in our country, Portuguese custard tarts aren’t considered a dessert, but instead a pastry to be enjoyed at breakfast or with a coffee any time…

  If you have ever read about Portuguese food, you might have come across the statement that salted cod, known in Portuguese as bacalhau, is Portugal’s national dish. We could argue this, not only because we think that there are other dishes that better embody Portugal’s edible history, but also because cod is not a…

  Once upon a time, there were convents and other religious institutions across Portugal that used to consume lots and lots of eggs. About five to six centuries ago, Portugal was one of Europe’s largest producers of eggs and, traditionally, peasants would donate some of what their chickens would lay to nearby churches and monasteries,…

  There are over seventy million Portuguese people all over the world. Considering that our country is home to just about ten million, you can imagine coming across a Portuguese citizen or person of Portuguese descent in different corners of the world is not that hard.  Central Europe is one of the regions where, historically,…

  Christmas is around the corner and while Santa may have something different in mind for everyone, we’re the kind of people who’d always hope for edible gifts! We have a feeling we’re not the only ones… Whether you’re shopping for someone special or, very rightfully so, browsing for your own delight, we’d love to…

  Portuguese are one of the main nationalities that make up the high emigration society of France. Between Portuguese born and those of Portuguese ancestry, the number of individuals who identify as Portuguese in France these days reaches almost two million people! Most Portuguese immigration to France happened back in the decades of the 60s…

  It was May of 1498 when the Portuguese first arrived in Asia. The expedition led by explorer Vasco da Gama reached India thus tightening the relationships between Europeans and Asians. Since the 15th century, cultural exchanges between both continents have been ongoing and this has been remarkable in several aspects of life, including food….

  Port is Portugal’s most acclaimed fortified wine and, arguably, one of the most popular fortified wines all over the world. Many enjoy the sweetness and complexity of this beverage often served as an appetizer or, even more commonly, as a dessert wine. But do they know how Port came to be or how to…

  There’s a theory that claims that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Australia back in the 16th century, even though Dutch navigators are normally associated with the “discovery” of this continent. Either way, it was three centuries later when the first Portuguese settlers started arriving in Sydney. Nowadays, there are a little…

  Among the 13 different regions that make up the wine map of Portugal, today we invite you to travel to the Atlantic, to the Portuguese islands of Madeira and Azores. If Madeira has been popular for a while due to its famed fortified wine by the same name, we’d love to introduce you to other…

  Portuguese Canadians make up almost 2% of Canada’s population. In a country where the notably multicultural society is made of people hailing from all corners of the world, it’s curious to notice how our small country of Portugal makes such a significant number of the total inhabitants.  Portuguese and Portuguese descent residents concentrate mostly…

  Here in Portugal, we often consume bread with our meals. Bread with butter, jam, cheese and/or ham is a very standard Portuguese breakfast. Sandwiches are our go-to snack mid morning and mid afternoon. And along with lunch or dinner, it’s customary to have a bread basket on top of the table, independently of what’s…

  As the world becomes more and more a global village, you can almost find anything anywhere in the world. This applies even to souvenirs, even though they are supposed to be mementos of one given place.  You could be in Paris and buy a figurine of the Eiffel Tower made in China. You could…

  An estimated quarter million Portuguese nationals are currently living in the United States of America. This may mean several things but, from our hungry perspective, this statistic makes us think that good Portuguese food in the US can’t be that hard to come by! While Portuguese and Portuguese descent folks, also known as Luso-Americans,…

  The beginning of the migration of Portuguese people to the UK dates back to the 15th century, when the Jews who were being persecuted in the Portuguese territory found a safer home in Britain. Yet, if we can count up to 400,000 Portuguese people in the UK these days, it’s mainly because of the…

  Buttery. Flaky. Smooth. Velvety. Rich. Enticing. Decadent. Irresistible… we could be here all day mentioning adjectives that could best describe pastel de nata, but only once you have tried a freshly baked Portuguese custard tart you’d truly know what we’re talking about! Portugal’s most famous pastry is a true staple for many locals and,…

  At Taste of Lisboa we’re committed to bringing you the best flavors of Portugal no matter where in the world you are! Ideally, we look forward to welcoming you in Lisbon for one of our food & cultural walks. Roaming up and down the city of the seven hills, exploring small local businesses, stopping…

  Creamy and smooth on the inside. With a crunchy exterior of flaky puff pastry to embrace its delicate core. We’re describing pastel de nata, without a doubt, the most popular pastry in Lisbon and all across Portugal. If there is one thing that many visitors look forward to trying when they travel to Portugal,…

  Think of Portugal and drinks such as Port wine, vinho verde and ginjinha immediately come to mind. Portugal not only has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in Europe, our country also has a long tradition of producing high quality wines and other alcoholic drinks that beautifully complement our gastronomic offerings. But…

  Traveling broadens the mind and so does tasting foreign cuisines around the world. There’s nothing like visiting a given place and taking your time to explore the local dishes, drinks and customs to start understanding the local way of life.  But what happens when you do miss those holidays in Portugal, you’re craving for…

    We were inspired by Wine Folly’s article Wine and Junk Food Pairings That Actually Work to explore the addictive world of Portuguese snacks and find local wines to wash it all down in style. If we often talk about wine selections for typical dishes, complex contemporary recipes or even desserts, why can’t the…

  This one goes out to all the cheese lovers out there! If you still didn’t know that Portugal is cheese heaven, it’s about time you start exploring all the different cheeses that our country has to offer. For a small territory, Portugal boasts a rich variety of options, both from the mainland and our…

  WHAT FRUITS WE GROW AND EAT IN PORTUGAL?   Portugal produces many delicious seasonal fruits. In this article, we share with you the most traditionally eaten in Portugal. Each season has its charm that allows us to include fresh and nutritious food in our daily lives while supporting local production and protecting the environment….

  The hot weather has arrived in Lisbon and it seems to be here to stay. With it, we can’t help but think about spending time with friends over food and drinks. If going out for dinner is something we tend to do all year long here in Portugal, as soon as Spring rolls in…

  In the past few weeks, forced by current events, it seems like the global appreciation for canned goods is on the rise. While often perceived as cheap, quick, non-elegant options in many parts of the world, canned foods are actually a staple of Portuguese cuisine. Portugal has a long tradition of preserving fish. More…

  How to identify the perfect Portuguese custard tart   The Portuguese custard tart – Pastel de Nata – is the most iconic pastry in Portugal and one of the most delicious gifts that Portugal ever gave to the world. In 2009, The Guardian considered Pasteis de Belém “one of the best foods in the…

It’s for breakfast, for lunch, a snack, over dinner and to supper! The Portuguese have a soft spot for bread and every meal must have a good slice, either a buttered toast in the morning, to accompany a meal or even as dessert! In Portugal, the tradition of eating bread is lost in time and…

  Portugal is a world of traditions and the killing of the pig is one of them. In this ritual, once very important for the economy of the people, everything is important. Even the guts and the blood of the animal to make the most varied sausages. Chorizo​​, blood sausage, smoked sausage (farinheira) and alheira…