Torta o pastel?

Question

Both mean cake, is there a difference in when you use them? Thanks!

Answer 1

En España torta se usa solo para la masa, o algún dulce cuya base tiene la forma de la masa de la torta.

El pastel suele tener la torta de base y añades crema, chocolate o lo que sea.

Sorry, I'm not good enough at spanish yet to really understand this. Could you possibly put it in English please? I'm interested in your answer. - 00828565, Sep 27, 2010

Torta-> Only the dough with normaly round shape, as well if sugar/sweet dough. Pastel-->Torta with cream, chocolate... or sometimes with meat,flesh... - kawalero, Sep 28, 2010

Answer 2

Torta can be:

-- flat, round plain cake; cake (cooking) (de harina) (dulce) (peninsular SpanishCSur, Venezuelan Spanish);

-- pie (salada) (Andes, CAm, Carib, RP);

---flat omelet, frittata (tortilla) (Mexican Spanish);

-- filled roll (sandwich) (Mexican Spanish

Pastel:

-- cake (cooking) (dulce);

---pie (salado)

pastel de bodas -> wedding cake

pastel de cumpleaños -> birthday cake

pastel de manzana -> apple pie

Answer 3

Check this link torta vs. bizcocho. It doesn't say much about pastel which I think is always cake but it's got some opinions about torta.

Answer 4

It's completely regional. It's like American biscuits and English biscuits. Actually, it's more like American elevators and English lifts. Do you say soda, pop or fizzy drink when you order a soft drink?

Answer 5

Pastel is more often used in several latino countries. Torta could depend in which country you are. Pastel and torta have a different meaning in some countries.

Answer 6

Pastel is Cake in Mexican Spanish, Torta or Tarta is used in Spain and the rest of Latin America

Answer 7

Yeah torta is a sandwich and pastel is a cake.

to you maybe. Torta is often an omlette. It's regional usage. - 0074b507, Sep 26, 2010

No, una torta is a cake and un sandwich is a sandwich. Wait, un biscocho is a cake and un bocadillo is a sandwich. Wait, oh forget it. :-) - KevinB, Sep 27, 2010