Quiches and tarts might look very similar, but they do have different histories and different ways to tell them apart.
Basic Differences
A tart can be sweet or savoury, but sweet ones are more common, and the shallow, open-faced pastry shell shows off its filling. A quiche is always savoury. Its main feature is an egg custard base which is combined with things like vegetables, cheese or meat. This egg mixture is really what defines a quiche – it has more eggs and dairy compared to other ingredients than you’d find in a typical tart. One simple rule says that if an egg custard is the star, it’s a quiche. If other ingredients come first, it’s more likely a tart. Quiches or tarts are great in an afternoon tea box delivery, like the examples from https://www.afternoonteabox.com.
Where They Come From
Though we often think of quiche as French food, it probably started in Germany in the 1500s. The name “quiche” comes from the German word ‘kuoche,’ meaning cake. The famous Quiche Lorraine comes from the Lorraine region, which was actually part of Germany before becoming French in 1737. The border area between France and Germany changed hands many times throughout history, which makes it hard to say exactly where quiche began.
Custard Around the World
Egg custards have always been popular across many cultures. England served custard dishes at royal banquets in the 1300s, and Portuguese monks created their famous custard tarts, Pasteis de Nata, in the 13th century. Even Hong Kong has its own version of egg tarts, which were introduced by the British in the 1920s but made with their own special pastry technique.
Whether you enjoy a fruity tart or a savoury quiche, both have stood the test of time because of their delicious combination of crisp pastry and flavourful fillings. Try making your own quiche or tart for a picnic, light snack or evening meal. They work especially well in the summer months, as they are light and tasty and work well with salads.
