A Portuguese expat living in Australia has delivered perhaps the ultimate endorsement of a humble Aldi freezer aisle item, declaring the supermarket's Portuguese tarts superior to many sold back home. After moving to Australia, the self-described 'pastel de nata' enthusiast spent months searching for an authentic and affordable version of Portugal's most famous egg custard pastry, but results were underwhelming.
'I have bought them from local pastry shops. Some are okay, some are not even pastel de nata at all,' the expat said. Then they discovered Aldi's $3.99 frozen Portuguese tarts, made in Portugal and sold in the freezer section. 'They are unbelievably, consistently good and quite a bit better than the average pastel de nata in Portugal cafés,' they raved.
The glowing review quickly caught the attention of shoppers, many of whom said the frozen treats had already achieved cult status in their households. The Portuguese tart, or pastel de nata, consists of a flaky pastry shell filled with rich egg custard and traditionally served with a dusting of cinnamon. While Australia has embraced the pastry in recent years, particularly in cities with strong Portuguese communities, finding an affordable version can still be difficult. That's partly why Aldi's offering has attracted such a loyal following.
The expat even shared detailed preparation instructions, insisting the cooking method makes all the difference. According to the fan, the tarts should be baked at 220°C fan-forced for 15 minutes and allowed to cool before eating. 'They are sensitive and one minute can change quite a bit on how they come out,' they explained. They also recommended sprinkling cinnamon on top before serving.
The praise comes at a time when many Australians are becoming increasingly selective about where they spend their grocery dollars. As cost-of-living pressures continue to bite, shoppers are hunting for products that feel indulgent without carrying a premium price tag. The expat noted that Aldi recently reduced the price from $4.99 to $3.99, making them even more affordable than some specialist Portuguese grocery stores. 'Long live Aldi. Whoever does the taste testing and product picking deserves a raise.'
Other shoppers were quick to agree. 'These things are absolutely delicious. My favourite by far. I always have to grab a pack or three when I go to Aldi,' one person said. Another admitted they had never noticed the product before but planned to seek it out immediately. 'I had no idea they had these. Now I will have to try them next time - and I will use your baking instructions,' they wrote.
Some shoppers were particularly impressed by the endorsement coming from a Portuguese customer. 'That is great praise indeed,' one person commented. 'I have eaten pastel de nata in Belem and I will make the pilgrimage to Aldi now to compare.' Others shared their own serving suggestions. 'Try adding some frozen raspberries on top before you cook them for a nice twist,' one shopper suggested.
Not everyone, however, was thrilled that the secret was getting out. Some worried that increased attention would make the tarts even harder to find. 'Let's not share how good they are as we won't be able to buy them. They'll sell out again,' one woman joked. Meanwhile, a disappointed shopper in Victoria said she had already searched multiple stores without success. 'I've searched all around my area - four different stores - and none here in my part of Victoria,' she wrote.
The enthusiasm highlights a trend among Australian shoppers, who are increasingly looking beyond flashy packaging and marketing in favour of products with strong word-of-mouth recommendations. And when a Portuguese expat says a $3.99 frozen tart tastes better than many versions sold in Portugal, people tend to pay attention.
