What is the difference between "una torta" and "pastel"?

Question

I have learned that both mean cake but is there really a difference between the two? Are they just regional terms or words that depend upon where you are across the globe or is it something else?

It would be real appreciated if someone cleared that up for me.

I wonder if you are using the same work book as I am, "Practice Makes Perfect" because I was wondering the same thing just a few days ago! - Gillygaloo, Oct 26, 2011

No I use Rosetta Stone and they used "torta" but I heard pastel from other places. - MeLlamoWaverly, Oct 26, 2011

Ok so I'll go with the regional thing but now the question is: What form of cake is used in Latin American or Mexican Spanish? That is the Spanish I want to learn because I live in a region where they speak that type of Spanish. - MeLlamoWaverly, Oct 26, 2011

You need to be even more specific, MeLlamo. As you see, in Mexico "torta" is a sandwich. Different Latin American countries use different words. - Gekkosan, Oct 26, 2011

What is cake when you are speaking to a Mexican native? - MeLlamoWaverly, Oct 26, 2011

I believe "pastel" is the word you want in Mexico. - Gekkosan, Oct 26, 2011

Answer 1

"Torta", "pastel", "bocadillo", "pay", "bizcocho" are all food related words that mean different things in different countries, and therefore tend to create a lot of confusion.

In many Latin American countries "torta" means cake, as in sweet flour confection possibly with some kind of frosting, frequently consumed at birtday parties.

However, in Mexico, "torta" is a kind of sandwich. In other countries it is a meaningless word, or it can mean "blow" (as a slap or a punch), or even a "cow pie".

Pastel, in some countries again is "cake", and in others means "pie".

In some countries, the word "pay" is used to refer to a sweet "pie" - just an adoption of the English word.

Bizcocho is another word used to refer to cakes, although in some places a "bizcocho" is a sort of biscuit.

Finally "bocadillo" is a word that in many Spanish speaking countries is used to mean "sandwich", but it is also subject to several different interpretations. As far as I know, Mexico is the only place where "torta" means sandwich.

In any event, the bottom line is, what word you use depends on where you are.

genial, como siempre - 00494d19, Oct 26, 2011

Answer 2

A "torta" is a cake without frosting. A pastel has frosting and it is well decorated. That is where the term pastel colors come from. They used to be gentle soft hues of color instead of bright.

The term "torta" as a sandwich is a Mexican invention that has spread to some Spanish speaking countries.

See what I mean? Where is "torta" used like this, Farallon? Where I grew up, the meanings are different. :-) - Gekkosan, Oct 26, 2011

Answer 3

It's definitely regional. If you search for this on the forum you'll find a bunch of threads.

Answer 4

All of the Mexicans I know use "torta" as a really long submarine sandwich. Some of the Carribean Spanish Speakers use it as "pie" or "cake".

yes, but in Spain for example, they use "torta" for cake, thats what I said that it depends on the region - saratoga, Oct 26, 2011

Answer 5

I think it mostly depends on the area, at least when you are talking about cakes and not sandwiches, it some places "queque" is also used

Answer 6

a torta to me is more like a sandwich. pastel is cake and pastelitos is cupcakes