These triangle-shaped pastries are one of many sweets that were initially prepared in Portuguese convents. Jesuítas are made with layers of puff pastry that are coated in egg custard, and the whole slice is typically topped with meringue.

There are numerous theories about the name and the origin of these pastries, but the only certainty is that they initially appeared in the city of Santo Tirso. Nowadays, they are commonly found in Portuguese pastry shops, and some varieties may be flavored with cinnamon or topped with almonds.