A West End woman is using TikTok to document her noble quest to find Scotland’s best Pastel De Nata.

It’s a challenge that Portugal-born Rita Simões-Muir has taken on with gusto, but one she had never expected to encounter when she first started her humorous account on Gen Z's favourite app.

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Glasgow Times: Pictured: Rita Simões-Muir is on the search for Scotland's best Pastel De NataPictured: Rita Simões-Muir is on the search for Scotland's best Pastel De Nata

She said: “It all started with these little videos I was making about what it’s like to be a Portuguese person living in Scotland.

“I made one TikTok talking about the Pastel De Natas in Lidl and people started commenting with suggestions for places that I could try.

“I thought to myself, 'why don’t I take on the challenge of finding the best Pastel De Nata in Scotland?'”

She laughed: “I’ll take one for the team.”

@ritasimoesmuir Have we found our winner?? #glasgow #scotland #scottish #glasgowtiktok #scotlandtiktok #scottishtiktok #portugal #food ♬ Pirates Of The Caribbean - Main Theme - He's A Pirate - Geek Music

A Pastel De Nata, for anyone who has yet to experience the immense pleasure of trying one, is a small Portuguese tart of sweet flaky pastry filled with thick custard.

The perfect companion to a strong cup of coffee, ‘Natas’ have become popular in cafes across the city.

But, as Rita well knows, not all bakes are created equal.

 

@ritasimoesmuir Here is Big Bear! Also lovely staff and great coffee ☕️ #glasgow #glasgowtiktok #scotlandtiktok #scotland #scottishtiktok #scottish #food #portugal ♬ Pirates Of The Caribbean - Main Theme - He's A Pirate - Geek Music

Explaining her judging process, she said: “In my opinion, there are three important parts to a good Pastel De Nata.

“First it has to be a crispy base.

"Then the custard must be a good consistency, you don’t want it to feel like scrambled eggs.

“Finally, for me, it’s really essential that the top of the custard has been burned just the right amount.”

@ritasimoesmuir Here is Episode I 🇵🇹 in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #glasgow #glasgowtiktok #scotland #scottish #scotlandtiktok #scottishtiktok #food #portugal ♬ Pirates Of The Caribbean - Main Theme - He's A Pirate - Geek Music

 

There have now been three episodes following Rita’s reviews of Southside favourites the Big Bear Bakery, Arturo’s Portuguese Delicatessen in Mount Florida and the Ottoman Coffeehouse in Charing Cross.

So, where to next?

Rita said: “I think I must have about 40 places on a list to try now and it’s all because of comments on my videos.

“My husband and I are now planning trips all over the country to find them.

“I just think, ‘what better excuse is there to travel somewhere I’ve never been before?’”

Glasgow Times: Pictured: A 'Nata' from Arturo'sPictured: A 'Nata' from Arturo's

There are exciting times ahead for Rita as she uses her newfound hobby to put the nation’s best bakeries to the test.

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But, more than that, the 30-year-old says finding a way to build a connection with anyone who has come to call Scotland a second home is what inspires her videos.

She said: “The goal for me all along has been to use humour to celebrate our differences and get to know each other’s cultures a little better.

“I’m fully Portuguese but have really immersed myself in the Scottish culture during the ten years that I’ve been here, and I’ve now found out that a lot of people feel the same.

“It’s so nice to have created this little community of people from all over the place.”

Follow Rita's search on TikTok here.