Learn how your comment data is processed. If you wish, you can create a stencil of the Cross of St. James and place it on the cake before dusting with sugar. 5 -The yellow scallop shell and yellow arrows mark the way to Santiago. 9 -You need to walk at least 100kms into Santiago to receive your Compostela certificate. “ Tarta de Santiago: Spanish Almond Cake ”. 17 -The Camino is a long-distance trail with thousands of kms across Europe. At CaminoWays.com we book accommodation with local guest houses and hotels so you don’t have to worry! You have to travel for religious/spiritual reasons in order to receive the Compostela. 3 -There are many Camino de Santiago routes, starting in France, Portugal and Spain. 16 -The 12th century Codex Calixtinus is the oldest Camino de Santiago ‘guidebook’. The cake is a simple base of almonds, sugar and eggs, usually flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest. Here are 20 interesting Camino de Santiago facts you should know before you set off: 1 -Camino de Santiago means Way of St James and refers to the different routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia. The cake is a simple base of almonds, sugar and eggs, usually flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest. 2 -Santiago de Compostela means St James of the field of stars. The earliest written recipe with similar proportions to today’s cake appeared in notes by Luis Bartolomé de Leybar in 1838 under the name vizcocho de almendra. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 4 -Traditionally pilgrims used to start their ‘Camino’ from their own homes. Marketing Manager Maria is from Viveiro, in the misty and beautiful northern coast of Galicia, and now calls Ireland her adopted home. Travelers of the Way trek to Santiago de Compostela to arrive in time for the feast day of St. James, or Santiago Apóstol, on July 25th. A very similar cake called tarta real (royal cake) can be traced to bishop Pedro Portocarrero’s visit to the Universidad de Santiago in 1577. Galicia may not be internationally renowned for its food, in the same way as … The Order of Santiago was a religious and military order established in the 12th century to protect the pilgrims of the Camino. Public albergues can not be booked in advance. Using a wide rubber spatula, gently fold in the dry ingredients until combined. I love your blog posts and photos. 3 -There are many Camino de Santiago routes, starting in France, Portugal and Spain. Another interesting note about the Camino’s scallop shell is that it might be the reason that madeleines are shaped the way they are. It's main ingredient is crushed almonds. She adores Santiago, where she studied Journalism at Santiago de Compostela University. 15 -The stamped pilgrim passport is required to stay in first-come first -served ‘albergues’ (public hostels), and walkers take priority over cyclists. Origin: Galicia Tarta de Santiago -Santiago cake- is typical of the gastronomy from Galicia that you would read about in your Spanish guide, however it is consumed in the entire country. 13 -If you walk the Camino for cultural or non-religious/spiritual reasons, you can receive a certificate of welcome. The ingredients are simple: ground almonds instead of flour provide its body, bound with sugar and eggs. The specific origins of Tarta de Santiago are difficult to determine. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 10 -This makes Sarria (111kms away from Santiago) the most popular starting point for walkers. It’s a Foodies’ Paradise. The EU has designated PGI status to Tarta de Santiago, and as such it is a protected food name with specific requirements in order to use the term. Thank you so much, Stephanie! Tarta de Santiago is traditionally served after lunch with a relaxing cup of café con leche. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The cake can be found in nearly all of the pastry shops in the countless towns along the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James. She also loves travel, good food and good books, as well as all things arty crafty. 6 -The Camino Primitivo from Oviedo is the oldest Camino de Santiago route. For a cake to officially be called Tarta de Santiago, it must be made in the Autonomous Community of Galicia and contain at least 33% almonds, 33% sugar and 25% egg. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It originated in Galicia, but other regions of Spain adopted the recipe and created their own version of it. Required fields are marked *. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 14 -The pilgrim passport (credencial) needs to be stamped at least once a day; or twice a day if you are starting your Camino in Galicia. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, or in a large bowl with a handmixer, beat the eggs on medium-high while gradually pouring in the sugar. The earliest visits to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela date back to the 9th century and it became one of the most popular pilgrimages in Medieval times. The ways will combine off-road tracks with country trails, small roads and pavement, particularly getting in and out of bigger towns and cities. The Cruz Espada is so named for mixing a decorative cross with a cross fitchy, where the lower limb is pointed like a sword. 2 -Santiago de Compostela means St James of the field of stars. The Camino de Santiago is a Catholic pilgrimage leading from all over Europe to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where, according to legend, the relics of St. James are buried. This recipe was taken from World's best cakes by Roger Pizey, published by Jacqui Small. Many more walk different sections of the routes. https://media.blubrry.com/caminoways/p/caminoways.com/media/20-Camino-de-Santiago-facts-you-should-know-before-your-trip.mp3. From Torta Real to Tarta de Santiago Which brings us to the cake, which unsurprisingly hails from Galicia and the Compostela region. Tarta de Santiago, or St. James Cake, is an almond cake from Galicia with its origins in the Middle Ages. It quickly caught on in other pastry shops, and would be hard to find it without the cross today. These cookies do not store any personal information. The Council of Europe named the Camino de Santiago as the first European Cultural itinerary in 1987 for its important role encouraging cultural exchanges since the Middle Ages. 1. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 20 -Santiago de Compostela old town is a UNESCO-listed heritage site since 1985 and its University dates back to 1495. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In 1993, the trail was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Preparación de la base de la tarta de Santiago. It’s easy to identify it as it’s almost always adorned with powdered sugar with an imprint of the Cross of St. James, also known as the Cruz de Santiago. With its wonderfully moist almond and citrus flavours, this torte makes a perfect dessert or partner to an afternoon café con leche (milky coffee). I flavor the cake with cinnamon and lemon zest. Originating from Galicia in North-Western Spain during the time of medieval pilgrimage, this tart is traditionally decorated with the St James cross. It is a great way to learn about traditional baking. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The flavor comes from the almonds and lemon zest and a liqueur or sweet wine. The eggs are first beaten with the sugar until pale and thick, and then the almond flour and flavorings are gently folded in. You might also want to download our free Camino de Santiago Beginners Guide. Careful: the scallop might be facing different ways depending on the regions. Así que yo diría que es una tarta que puede hacer un niño. Cyclists on the Camino are known as ‘bici-grinos’ (bike-pilgrims). 12 -Over 300,000 pilgrims arrive in Santiago each year and receive their Compostela certificate. Those who completed the journey would bring a Galician scallop shell home with them as proof of their expedition. 7 -However, the most famous Camino route is the Camino Francés or French Way starting in St Jean Pied de Port, in the French Pyrenees. La tarta es muy sencilla y sobre todo rápida de preparar, en 10 minutos tienes todo montado y el horno trabaja sólo. The history of this cake might just be as rich and dense as the cake itself. Here are 20 interesting Camino de Santiago facts you should know before you set off: 1 -Camino de Santiago means Way of St James and refers to the different routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia.