- Waitrose launches first to market Portuguese Lemon Cake, made by authentic methods with a hybrid twist
- Customer demand for patisserie is on the rise with sales up 9% compared to this time last year
- Waitrose.com has seen a surge in searches for Portuguese sweet treats, with ‘Pastel de Natas’ up 137% over the last 90 days
As part of our continuous dedication to patisserie innovation, Waitrose is launching an exclusive, Portuguese Lemon rice cake, traditionally called a ‘Bolo de Arroz’.
Step aside Pastel de Nata, it’s all about the Bolo de Arroz. With patisserie treats proving popular, notably sales increasing 9% compared to last year, Portuguese sweets in particular have captured the interest of our customers. Searches on Waitrose.com for ‘Pastel de Natas’ are up 137% over the last 90 days, while searches for Portuguese tarts are up 113% over the last 30 days. In response to customer demand, Waitrose is looking to offer customers a broader range of innovative and market-first flavour combinations this autumn.
Distinctively light and fluffy in texture with a sweet flavour, the new Portuguese Lemon Iced Bolo de Arroz is made from a combination of rice and wheat flour, and is most often enjoyed as a snack, dessert or served with a coffee.
Committed to fostering strong relationships with our suppliers, Waitrose have developed this recipe closely with a local Portuguese bakery. Based in Porto, the bakery was established in 1986 and with over 34 years of experience, they take pride in crafting the most authentic, high-quality patisserie. Typically baked in cylindrical paper cases which gives them their unique shape and appearance, the cakes are baked in cylindrical paper cases which are blue and white giving them the colours of Portugal and offering customers a little slice of tradition. Packaged individually in a signature case, they are perfect for gifting as well as a tangy treat for brunches, afternoon tea or a picnic.
Serena Jackson, Patisserie Product Developer at Waitrose comments, “We are delighted with the delicious Portuguese Lemon Iced Bolo de Arroz, developed in close collaboration with the Portuguese bakery. The cake is made using authentic methods with the sponge made from rice flour. However, we’ve introduced a unique twist to the cake. This hybrid includes a sharp lemon curd filling and a sweet lemon icing, offering our food loving customers a dynamic culinary fusion that encourages premium indulgence.”
Serena Jackson further comments, “We know our customers are all about exploration in food and we’re seeing an increasingly popular culinary trend towards citrus fruits as customers turn to specific regions for the taste and quality cues they desire. The new Bolo de Arroz offers our customers the citrus tastes they are looking for, with the delicious sharp lemon curd filling and a sweet lemon icing.”
Portuguese Lemon Iced Bolo de Arroz £1.40 are available at the instore bakery counters.
