Quiche vs. Tart: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 24, 2024
Quiche is a savory custard-filled pastry often containing cheese and meat, whereas a tart can be sweet or savory with a filling that sits in a shallow pastry crust.
Key Differences
Quiche is a French dish that features a savory custard made with eggs, milk, or cream, and is often mixed with cheese, meat, or vegetables. Tarts, on the other hand, can be either sweet or savory and consist of a filling placed in a shallow pastry crust, making them more versatile in terms of flavor profiles.
Quiche is typically baked in a deep, fluted dish and is known for its rich, creamy filling. The custard mixture in quiche is the star ingredient, providing a smooth, luscious texture. Tart, however, is made in a shallow pan, and its fillings can range from fruit and cream to savory options like vegetables and cheese, focusing more on the diverse array of ingredients rather than the custard.
The crust of a quiche is usually made from shortcrust pastry, providing a sturdy base to hold the heavy filling. Tarts also use shortcrust pastry but have a thinner crust due to their shallower depth, allowing for a crispier texture that complements the filling.
Quiches are often served as a main course or substantial side dish, especially during brunches or lunches. Tarts, however, are more versatile in serving occasions, functioning as appetizers, desserts, or side dishes depending on their filling.
Quiche fillings tend to be mixed together before being poured into the crust, ensuring a uniform consistency. Tart fillings, on the other hand, are often layered or arranged more aesthetically, especially in sweet tarts where fruits are meticulously placed.
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Comparison Chart
Main Ingredient
Savory custard (eggs, milk/cream)
Can be sweet (fruits, creams) or savory (vegetables, cheese)
Crust Depth
Deep, fluted dish
Shallow, straight-sided pan
Typical Filling
Cheese, meat, vegetables
Wide range from fruits to savory items
Serving Occasion
Main course or side dish
Appetizer, dessert, or side dish
Filling Preparation
Mixed into custard
Layered or arranged
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Quiche and Tart Definitions
Quiche
A savory pie filled with custard and various ingredients.
She served a spinach and cheese quiche for brunch.
Tart
A dish where the filling is placed on top of a pastry base.
She baked a chocolate tart for the party.
Quiche
A popular brunch item that includes meats or vegetables.
The restaurant's quiche featured ham and Swiss cheese.
Tart
A pastry dish with a shallow crust and various fillings.
The bakery offers a delicious lemon tart.
Quiche
A French dish made with a pastry crust and egg-based filling.
The quiche Lorraine is a classic French recipe.
Tart
A dessert or appetizer with a crisp crust.
The fresh fruit tart was the highlight of the meal.
Quiche
A rich, creamy egg-based savory tart.
He brought a homemade quiche to the potluck.
Tart
A versatile dish that can be served hot or cold.
He prefers his apple tart with a scoop of ice cream.
Quiche
A baked dish often served as a main course or a side.
They enjoyed a warm quiche with salad for lunch.
Tart
Having a sharp pungent taste; sour.
Quiche
A rich unsweetened custard pie, often containing ingredients such as vegetables, cheese, or seafood.
Tart
Sharp or bitter in tone or meaning; cutting.
Quiche
A member of a Mayan people of Guatemala.
Tart
A pastry shell with shallow sides, no top crust, and any of various fillings.
Quiche
The Mayan language of the Quiché.
Tart
Chiefly British A pie.
Quiche
A pie made primarily of egg and cream, perhaps mixed with chopped meat or vegetables, in a pastry crust.
Tart
A prostitute.
Quiche
A member of the Mayan people of south central Guatemala
Tart
To dress up or make fancy in a tawdry, garish way. Often used with up.
Quiche
A tart filled with rich unsweetened custard; often contains other ingredients (as cheese or ham or seafood or vegetables)
Tart
Sharp to the taste; acid; sour.
I ate a very tart apple.
Quiche
The Mayan language spoken by the Quiche people
Tart
(of wine) high or too high in acidity.
Tart
(figuratively) Sharp; keen; severe.
He gave me a very tart reply.
Tart
A type of small open pie, or piece of pastry, containing jelly or conserve; a sort of fruit pie.
Tart
A melt block of wax for use in a tart burner.
Tart
A prostitute.
Tart
To practice prostitution.
Tart
To dress garishly, ostentatiously, whorishly, or sluttily.
Tart
Sharp to the taste; acid; sour; as, a tart apple.
Tart
Fig.: Sharp; keen; severe; as, a tart reply; tart language; a tart rebuke.
Why art thou tart, my brother?
Tart
A small open pie with a fruit filling
Tart
Pastry cup with a filling of fruit or custard and no top crust
Tart
Tasting sour like a lemon
Tart
Harsh;
Sharp criticism
A sharp-worded exchange
A tart remark
Tart
A sweet or savory open-faced pie.
They made a tomato and basil tart for dinner.
FAQs
What is the typical shape of a tart?
Tarts are usually shallow with straight sides.
What is the main difference between quiche and tart?
Quiche is a savory custard-filled pastry, while a tart can be sweet or savory with various fillings.
What kind of crust is used for quiche?
Quiche uses a shortcrust pastry that is deep and fluted.
What is a common filling for quiche?
Common quiche fillings include cheese, meat, and vegetables.
Do quiche fillings get mixed?
Yes, quiche fillings are usually mixed into the custard.
Can tarts be served as desserts?
Yes, sweet tarts are commonly served as desserts.
How are tart fillings typically arranged?
Tart fillings are often layered or arranged decoratively.
Is quiche always savory?
Yes, quiche is typically a savory dish.
Can a tart be savory?
Yes, tarts can be either sweet or savory, depending on the filling.
Is a tart crust thicker or thinner than a quiche crust?
A tart crust is generally thinner due to its shallow depth.
Are quiches and tarts served differently?
Quiches are often main courses or side dishes, whereas tarts can be appetizers, desserts, or side dishes.
Can a tart have a fruit filling?
Yes, many tarts have fruit fillings.
Can you add meat to a tart?
Yes, savory tarts can include meat as a filling.
Are quiches part of French cuisine?
Yes, quiches originate from France.
Do tarts have a versatile use in meals?
Yes, tarts can be used in various meal courses from appetizers to desserts.
Is the texture of quiche filling smooth?
Yes, the custard in quiche provides a smooth, creamy texture.
What dish is more common at brunch, quiche or tart?
Quiche is more commonly served at brunch.
Is a tart always open-faced?
Yes, tarts are typically open-faced with visible fillings.
Is the pastry used for tarts the same as quiche?
Both use shortcrust pastry, but tarts have a thinner, crispier crust.
Can you serve a tart cold?
Yes, tarts can be served either hot or cold.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
