As the old cliché goes, necessity is the mother of invention, but there’s something to be said about the parental capabilities of simple practicality, too. For example: a few centuries back, monks and nuns in Portugal began using egg whites to starch their habits, which created a real surplus of egg yolks within monasteries. Rather than let them go to waste, they began developing yolk-centered desserts, the most successful of which came to be known as pastel de nata, or, as its known throughout the rest of the world, the Portuguese Custard Tart. While our Custard Tarts may come from less purely practical origins, they are imported from Portugal and prominently feature the same creamy texture and flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crust that have made this dessert a favorite in bakeries the world over. Preparation is as simple as 20 minutes in the oven, 15 in the air fryer, or 55 seconds for a single Tart in the microwave. Once hot and ready, they’re especially delicious when sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon and paired with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Speaking of practical, our spring- seasonal Trader Joe’s Portuguese Custard Tarts are sure to practically fly out of our freezers, so be sure to pick up a box (contains four Tarts) while supplies last.