What Mouraria tastes like?

If Belém has Pastéis de nata (custard tarts) and Sintra it’s Queijadas (small cheesecake), since the end of 2013 that Mouraria has Pastéis da Mouraria (Mouraria Tartlet). Made from white beans, almonds and egg bedridden in a thin and crispy layer, Pastéis da Mouraria it’s an idea of João Guedes, who at the age of 22 decided to bet everything on this gastronomic adventure.

“I was born in Mouraria, I live in Rua do Benformoso, and always followed my uncles and my parents in the family’s pastry. Later I took the cooking/pastry course, I manage to work at several hotels, but after a motorcycle accident i stayed in the pastry to help my parents”. Until he decided to create a sweet to honour the neighbourhood. “Why not Pastéis da Mouraria?”

João Guedes and his mother started to work and try various combinations, so the tartlet was not too sweet, and it has already loyal followers. “Customers really enjoyed it and we ordered some custom design boxes to help promote the brand. We have been in some fairs and public reaction has been very good.”

In the beginning of the year sales did not reach 100 cases a month, but currently João Guedes has his hands full, and he wants to bet in resale in different areas of the city or even buy a small van to take Pastéis da Mouraria to tourists. Just a head full of Ideas!