Mel i Mató Recipe: Traditional Catalan Honey Dessert 2026

Mel i mató is a light, refreshing Catalan dessert that makes the perfect ending to a hearty meal, though honestly, any time is a good time for this sweet treat. It pairs fresh, softly set curd cheese with flower honey and crunchy walnuts for a combination that is as simple as it is satisfying.

Originally, mató was made with goat's milk, but today it is commonly prepared with sheep's or cow's milk. For this version we use whole cow's milk, which is easy to find at any store or supermarket, so you can make it without hunting down specialty ingredients.

The most traditional way to curdle the milk is with vegetable rennet from plants like cardoons, but since that is hard to find, lemon juice or even vinegar is often used instead. Here we use lemon juice to keep things simple with everyday pantry staples, and we finish each portion with flower honey and walnuts for authentic flavor.

Ingredients for Mel i Mató

This recipe makes 4 servings.

• 1 liter whole milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 40 ml lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons flower honey
• 16 walnuts

How to Make Mel i Mató Step by Step

1. Add Salt to the Milk

Pour 1 liter of whole milk into a saucepan, add ½ teaspoon of salt, stir well, and set aside.

2. Squeeze the Lemon

Juice 1 lemon and reserve 40 ml of the juice to curdle the mató.

3. Heat the Milk and Add Lemon Juice

Bring the salted milk to the heat and remove it just before it starts to boil, when it begins to steam. Let it cool slightly for 5 minutes before adding the lemon juice to curdle the milk and make the mató. Use a strainer to add the lemon juice so no seeds or pulp pieces slip in. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes.

4. Strain the Curdled Milk

Set a wide bowl on the counter and place a strainer over it lined with a piece of food-safe cheesecloth folded in half. Once the resting time is up, pour the contents of the saucepan over the bowl to separate the curds from the whey.

5. Squeeze the Cheesecloth

Press the cheesecloth to extract as much whey as possible, leaving only the curd. You can save the whey for other preparations.

6. Chill the Mató

Place the cheesecloth with the curd in the refrigerator for 4 hours so it finishes setting.

7. Portion and Serve

Remove the curd from the refrigerator. Divide it into 4 portions and serve each portion of mató with 1 tablespoon of honey and 4 walnuts, which you can chop or leave whole.

Tips for the Best Mel i Mató

Choose the Right Milk

Whole cow's milk works beautifully here, but you can also use sheep's milk for a richer flavor. Just avoid ultra-pasteurized milk if possible, as it can curdle less reliably.

Curdle Gently

Add the lemon juice through a strainer and stir softly. If you prefer, you can substitute vinegar, but add it carefully since its flavor is stronger and can affect the final result.

Serve It Traditionally

The classic presentation is mató with honey and walnuts. Choose a flavorful flower honey and fresh walnuts for the best taste, and feel free to chop the nuts or leave them whole.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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