How does crema catalana differ from crème brûlée?

It uses milk and citrus or cinnamon

What is crème anglaise?

A pourable vanilla custard sauce

Custards Quiz: 10 Questions That Test What You Know

Alfred Bird invented egg-free custard powder in 1837 because his wife was allergic to eggs, and this custards quiz explores silky desserts from many cuisines. Compare French crème brûlée, Catalan crema catalana, Spanish flan, Lisbon's pastéis de nata, Chinese egg tarts and Japanese purin.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Bird
Why did Alfred Bird invent custard powder?
Brûlée
What tops crème brûlée?
Catalana
How does crema catalana differ from crème brûlée?
Flan
What sauce coats flan?
Nata
Where were pastéis de nata created?
Egg tart
Which city's egg tarts show Portuguese influence?
Purin
What is Japanese purin?
Anglaise
What is crème anglaise?
Pâtissière
What is crème pâtissière used for?
Bain-marie
Why are baked custards cooked in a water bath?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Why did Alfred Bird invent custard powder?
Answer: His wife was allergic to eggs
It was cornflour-based.
Q2: What tops crème brûlée?
Answer: A layer of caramelized sugar
It is torched or grilled.
Q3: How does crema catalana differ from crème brûlée?
Answer: It uses milk and citrus or cinnamon
It is traditionally eaten on St. Joseph's Day.
Q4: What sauce coats flan?
Answer: Caramel
It is turned out of its mold.
Q5: Where were pastéis de nata created?
Answer: Belém, Lisbon
Monks made them.
Q6: Which city's egg tarts show Portuguese influence?
Answer: Macau
Lord Stow's bakery is famous.
Q7: What is Japanese purin?
Answer: Caramel custard pudding
It is sold in convenience stores.
Q8: What is crème anglaise?
Answer: A pourable vanilla custard sauce
It means English cream.
Q9: What is crème pâtissière used for?
Answer: Filling pastries like éclairs
It is thickened with flour or starch.
Q10: Why are baked custards cooked in a water bath?
Answer: For gentle, even heat
It prevents curdling.

Custards Quiz – Silky, Smooth and Sweet

Custards are made by gently cooking eggs with milk or cream and sugar until they thicken. They can be poured as sauces, baked until set or used as fillings, and nearly every cuisine has its own version.

France offers crème brûlée, crème anglaise and crème pâtissière, Catalonia has crema catalana and Spain and Latin America love caramel-coated flan. Lisbon's pastéis de nata inspired Macau's egg tarts, and Japan enjoys purin.

In 1837, Alfred Bird invented egg-free custard powder for his wife, who was allergic to eggs, and it became a British staple. Bakers cook custards in a water bath for gentle heat, preventing them from curdling.

What This Quiz Teaches

Home cooks and dessert lovers will enjoy these questions.

Who invented custard powder
How crème brûlée is topped
How crema catalana differs
Where egg tarts are famous
Why water baths are used

Did You Know?

Zabaglione is a whipped custard.
Chawanmushi is a savory Japanese custard.
Leche flan is Filipino.
Pots de crème are small custards.
Custard tarts date to medieval England.