There are lots of reasons why travellers choose to take a holiday in Spain, but one of the main reasons is the food! Spanish cuisine is arguably some of the best in the world, and Catalonia is famous for its local delicacies. One such dish is crema catalana; a creamy, silky pudding topped with burnt sugar.

Dessert History

When you’re on holiday in Barcelona, you’ll hear that the Spanish invented the crema catalana sometime around the 14th century. If you’re on holiday in France, you’ll hear that it was, in fact, the French that created the dessert, naming it crème brûlée. And if you’re on holiday in England, you’ll no doubt hear that the dessert originated in Cambridge! All three countries lay claim to the pudding, but the reality of the rightful owner is still up for debate!

Crema Catalana 

Traditionally crema catalana has been served on St Joseph’s Day in March, but you can enjoy this creamy dessert at all times of year, whether you’re taking a Barcelona vacation in the summer or winter. Many local restaurants offer this pudding, and it has become a firm favourite of travellers from around the world.

Crème Brûlée v. Crema Catalana

If you can find both crème brûlée and crema catalana, then why not pick up both, take them back to your Spain holiday rental, and do a taste test to see which is better? While both are made in a similar way, crema catalana is thickened with cornflour and is not cooked in a water bath, like traditional crème brûlée. This gives it a little more texture. Many types of crema catalana are also flavoured with citrus and cinnamon, which gives it more flavour. Which one will be your favourite? Try them and see