Flan is a popular dessert in Spain and Latin America, also known as creme caramel due to its indulgent custard base topped with delicious caramel. It’s one of those delicacies that are irresistible and once you try it, you can’t stop eating it.
The flan’s history is traced back to ancient Rome when egg surpluses were transformed into custards to produce both sweet and savory tastes. The Spaniards took it to America, where it became a delicacy. Due to the Mexican’s heavy influence on the recipe evolved there and became today’s sweet staple.
The dessert came with many savory variations including eel flavored with pepper and honey, which was the sole sweetener at that time. Rome conquered Europe entirely, taking its customs, beliefs & recipes. When the Roman Empire fell in 476 CE, flan survived and became the sweet delicacy that gripped the newly conquered lands.
The Spanish loved this dessert the most among all countries and they added caramel sauce to it. As the Romans had done, when the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in 1518, they brought flan with them.
Where Did Flan Originate?
The Roman Empire is the true origin of this dessert. The word flan is the French equivalent of the Latin word fladon, which comes from the Old High German word “flado,” meaning “flat cake.” Flan was once a savory dish, usually made from fish or meat. Today, the dessert has evolved into something sweet.
More Recent Flan History
In the new European culture, flan has become a formidable force. Caramelized sugar was added to the dish as a testament to refined Spanish ingenuity. The Moors assisted with some flavorings still used today, such as citrus fruits and almonds. On the other hand, flan has mostly remained the same egg, cream & sugar mixture over the years.
The Europeans brought flan with them as they did with other treasures when they arrived in America. Flan was adopted as an international dessert of the “La Raza” movement by Latinos, Central Americans & North Americans alike. The Mexicans, particularly, made flan a part of their everyday food.
The variations of this classic dessert have evolved as a result of the many different food types and taste options available today in local markets.
Original vanilla flan is still incredibly popular and consists of vanilla egg custard topped with a caramel sauce.
The dark chocolate offers a delightful twist on the original and does best when combined with fresh berries, caramel sauce & extra chocolate, adding a luxurious flavor to the flan.
This variation of flan has a beautiful rich flavor from espresso coffee & it’s the perfect dessert to pair with a glass of after-dinner liqueur. The coffee kick lingers in your mouth until you finish it all.
This orange flan has a milder orange flavor that cleanses the palate while still satisfying a sweet tooth. The sauce is made from sugar and orange juice, giving it its deep orange hue & flavor.
A mango fruit adds a tart and refreshing flavor to the flan. Because of the freshness of the fruit, this flan is ideal for everyone. With fresh mango chunks and fresh mango topping included in the flan recipe, this is the perfect cooling treat to beat the heat of summer.
There are two main types of flan; either a baked custard dessert topped with caramel, such as the French crème caramel, or a tart-like sweet pastry with a fruit filling, such as a fruit flan.
A flan is generally gluten-free and a vegetarian option for lovers of European food, as it is typically made with cream or milk and sugar and egg yolks.
How to make the Best TRADITIONAL MEXICAN FLAN, so creamy so perfect EVERYTIME
FAQ
What nationality is flan from?
What is the difference between Mexican flan and Puerto Rican flan?
Do they eat flan in Mexico?
What is a Spanish flan called?
Is Puerto Rican flan the same as Mexican flan?
Puerto Rican flan and Mexican flan are even more alike, although some recipes include cream cheese, making a baked crustless cheesecake. My Puerto Rican flan recipe includes eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla and sugar – and is unbelievably easy to prepare.
What is Mexican flan?
Flan is easily one of the country’s most popular desserts and is available virtually everywhere. For the most part, the ingredients in Mexican flan are similar to other kinds however, the preparation method varies. After the custard and caramel have been prepared, the ingredients are added to a special pan.
Where can I find flan in Puerto Rico?
This version of flan is the most traditional in Puerto Rico and can be found at most panaderias (Puerto Rican or Spanish bakeries). Many Latin cultures have their own versions of the traditional flan that will vary between countries. That said, there are also variations between flavors of flan.
What are the ingredients in Mexican flan (flan Mexicano)?
The pan is called a flanera and is what holds the mixture as it bakes in the water bath. Ingredients in Mexican Flan (Flan Mexicano) include sugar, water, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla extract.