A Foodie’s Bucket List: The Search for the Best Pastries

A true foodie dreams of traveling to taste the world’s finest foods, traditional and modern-day baked goodies included! All of us have a list of what we imagine eating. A few of us might have been fortunate enough and tried a few of these already. Let’s look at some popular and not-so-popular ones that are worthy of being on our food bucket list.

Travel the World for Food

The world is best experienced through food. Here are some must-tries you cannot afford to miss at these locations.

Sweden’s Semla

Semla is a seasonal delight that should be making its presence known after Christmas and stays till Lent. Customarily these are enjoyed right before Lent, but the love for semla might be stronger than custom. Semlor (the plural of semla) are sweet-smelling cardamom buns filled with almond marzipan and whipped cream and dusted with powdered sugar. Semla is aromatic, creamy, and unforgettable.

Portugal’s Pastéis de Nata

These fragile, flaky custard tarts have been around for centuries. The contrast between the crust, the smooth, velvety custard, and the not-so-sweet delectability of this dessert makes it popular worldwide. This dessert is the inspiration behind the egg tarts from Macau and Southeastern China.

Italy’s Cannoli

Cannoli is most likely one of the most iconic desserts. These are deep-fried tube pastries filled with a mixture of ricotta and cream. It might sound simple, undoubtedly a classic, however, this dessert has already evolved into many versions, and we would love to try them all.

Germany’s Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

If Germany is a fairy tale, then a black forest made from cake would be the fantasy land of boozy cake lovers. Cherries soaked in kirsch (a liqueur made from cherries), a sprinkling of kirsch, and whipped cream make this chocolate cake one of the best in Germany. See here for more. 

Egypt’s Kunāfah

This gorgeous, subtly sweet cheese-based pastry is filled with tradition and flavors. Made with shredded pastry dough, soaked in rose water, and layered with cheese and pistachios, kunāfah is certainly a feast for the palate.

China’s Mooncake

China’s Mid-Autumn Festival brings families together, and moon cakes are part of the celebrations. Traditional mooncakes have different fillings, such as red bean paste and lotus seed paste. Usually, they have salted duck egg yolks in them. The modern ones you can get from other southeast Asian countries may have savory ham and nuts, chocolates, or ice cream fillings.

India’s Gulab Jamun

India and its cuisine are wonderfully exotic, with spices and herbs that can tease your tastebuds and leave you wanting more. Gulab jamun is an underdog. It looks simple: deep-fried bread soaked in sugar syrup infused with saffron, rose water, and green cardamom. However, it is like eating cake pops with a soul. The character the flavors give this lowly dessert is worth the sugar.

Your Local Confectionary

Something you can not miss is your local confectionary. Traveling doesn’t mean you need to get on an airplane. Confectionaries and dining establishments near you may offer unique and awesome treats. Some might even have versions of famous pastries from across the world. If you are curious but cannot travel now, check them out.

Pro-Tip

If you are stuck at home drooling, go online to see what is around you. You might find authentic foreign restaurants that can cure your curiosity. As soon as you can, go out to search the world for a life-changing food experience.