FAQ: Everything You Want to Know About Pastel de Nata and Portuguese Pastry
Storage & Freshness
How long does a Pastel de Nata keep?
3 to 4 days at room temperature. The key rule: never in the fridge — humidity irreversibly softens the puff pastry and alters the cream. Store in their box or under a clean cloth, away from direct heat.
Can you freeze Pastéis de Nata?
Yes, and it's recommended for larger orders. Freeze as-is in their box or a freezer bag. Keeps for several months. Reheat directly from frozen at 180°C for 7 minutes — no thawing needed. They come out perfectly crispy, as if freshly baked.
How do you reheat a Pastel de Nata?
Oven at 180°C, 8-10 minutes (8 min from room temperature, 7 min from frozen). Never microwave — dry oven heat restores all the lightness of the puff pastry.
Origin & Traditions
Pastel de Belém vs Pastel de Nata — what's the difference?
Pastel de Belém = the original, protected recipe made exclusively in Lisbon since 1837, known to only 3 people. Pastel de Nata = the universal version. At Wooly, we make Pastéis de Nata following artisanal Portuguese tradition with our Brussels recipe since 2015.
How is Pastel de Nata traditionally eaten in Portugal?
Hot, standing at the counter, dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar, with a short espresso. A daily ritual in Portuguese pastelarias. At Wooly: reheat 8-10 min at 180°C, enjoy with a good coffee or chilled Vinho Verde.
Our Products
What Pastel de Nata flavours does Wooly offer?
Sweet: Nature, Lemon, Salted Caramel, Chestnut, Chocolate Praline, Strawberry, Speculoos.
Savoury (Wooly exclusive): Mushroom, Chicken-Bacon, Spinach-Cheese, Courgette Salmon, Cod Cream.
What are rissois, chamussas, empadas?
Rissol: half-moon shaped fried snack with semolina pastry, filled with shrimp béchamel or suckling pig. Chamussa: fried triangle inspired by Indian samosa via Goa, meat and yellow curry. Empada: individual baked shortcrust pie, chicken or vegetarian. All available at Wooly for your aperitifs and events.
Orders & Delivery
Do you cater corporate events?
Yes! Cocktail packages, dinner buffets, personalised gift boxes. 10 to hundreds of pieces. Lead times: 24h (<50), 48h (50-200), 5 business days (200+). Delivery via Wooly Carrier across Brussels.
Where are your stores?
4 stores: Etterbeek (original), Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Waterloo, Uccle. Plus Wooly Carrier delivery throughout Brussels.
Contact: info@woolypatisserie.com / 0497 55 15 20 / woolypatisserie.com