deborah's culinary island

IN SEASON NOW 🧡 Apricots ripen in late May and early June. This sweet, fleshy fruit has a unique touch of acidity and is highly popular in Mallorca.

It has been cultivated for centuries in the Pla de Mallorca, taking advantage of the soil and climatic conditions of the island's interior. Between 1940 and the end of the century, the Porreres apricot experienced an extraordinar boom. Today, however, the market cannot face strong competition from foreign countries like Turkey

Until recently, the most widely grown local variety was the "Galta Vermella"—a charming Mallorcan name that translates to “red cheek.” You can easily recognize it because its bright orange skin develops a reddish blush on the side that receives the most sunlight.

Apricots are a staple ingredient in many traditional spring and summer Mallorcan recipes, such as:

🧡 Coca d'albercocs: A soft apricot sponge cake.

🧡 Apricot ensaïmada: A sweet, coiled pastry topped with the fruits

🧡 Sopes d'estiu amb albercocs, a savoury vegetable casserole

And you, how do you like to eat them?

Pic 2 & 4 by ✨

ENSAÏMADA DE MALLORCA✨

When I was eight years old, I visited a baker in the small fishing village of Portocolom for a school project. I will never forget his words: "An ensaïmada can only be made in Mallorca. If you try it elsewhere, it will never be a true ensaïmada."

He was right. Our island’s specific humidity and temperature are the "invisible ingredients" that allow for the perfect fermentation. Without the Mallorcan air, the dough simply doesn't breathe the same way.

How to Enjoy It Like a Local

Whether it’s a small individual piece for a snack or a large one to share, the ensaïmada sets the rhythm of life here. In winter, we love dipping it into thick hot chocolate; in summer, it’s the perfect companion to artisanal ice cream. My personal favorite? Freshly baked and dipped into a morning coffee.

My favorite spots to taste ensaïmada:

✨ Forn Fondo (Palma) 
✨ Forn Sant Francesc (Inca)
✨ Can Joan de s’Aigo (Palma)
✨ Forn Can Salem (Algaida)
✨ S’Olivaret (Esporles)

Join Our Workshop

If you want to learn the secrets of baking these genuine local treats, join one of our Ensaïmada Workshops with Jose, our local pastry chef, in a cozy and authentic atmosphere.

Online booking: 

https://www.forndesallotgeta.com/ensaimada-workshop

Read the full post:
https://www.forndesallotgeta.com/stories/mallorcas-unique-foods-ensamada

🌱 April is full of activities to discover the most traditional Mallorcan Food culture with us at Es Forn de sa Llotgeta.

Here are our open dates this month: 

🌾 Ensaïmada Workshop - April 10,14,28

🍸 Aperitivo + traditional cooking April 6,9,16,30

🥬 Market tour + traditional cooking April 1,2,11, 18,21,25

🍅 Marktbesuch + traditioneller Kochkurs April 7

Please visit www.forndesallotgeta.com/experiences for more details, prices and online booking. 

And if you want to have a private event on the date of your choice, you can write us directly at [email protected]

Looking forward to delve into Mallorca' s culture with you💛

MEET THE TEAM - JOSE 💥

Culinary guide, baker & traditional cooking expert.

“I grew up in a traditional Mallorcan family, deeply connected to the care and work of the land: the ritual of the pig slaughter, cultivating the vegetable garden, and preparing our own food slowly cooked over an open fire.

My parents and grandparents taught me that culture is lived in everyday life. That's why today I'm passionate about sharing everything I've learned; it's my way of honoring my roots and ensuring that traditions are kept alive. “

🥳WE DID IT! Our Ensaïmada workshop is finally out of the oven. Don't miss this opportunity to learn everything about Mallorca's most iconic sweet hand in hand with José our lovely pastry chef and culinary guide.

You can book your spot online
Www.Forndesallotgeta.com/ensaimada-workshop

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP⬇️

An ancient and very typical sweet, the ensaïmada is a gateway to our history and traditional Mallorcan culture.

With this workshop, we will not only learn how to make this exquisite and airy puff pastry, but also delve into the culinary culture through its main ingredients. We will learn about xeixa wheat and pork from which the most important saïm or sobrasada are made.

Our expert pastry chef will first teach us all the secrets of this native sweet: how the dough is made, its fermentation process, and most importantly, how it is stretched and spread with saïm, its most characteristic ingredient. Then, each participant will stretch the dough and roll their own ensaïmada. After baking, their work will be savoured, with hot chocolate or refreshing ice cream depending on the season.

INCLUSIONS

Ingredients, materials, and recipe

Demonstration and guidance by a Mallorcan pastry chef

Individual preparation of an ensaïmada

Tasting with hot chocolate in winter and ice cream in summer

DETAILS:

Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours

Location: Forn de sa Llotgeta

Languages: English

Note: This activity is suitable for kids from 7 years onwards.

🍇Forn de sa llotgeta és un projecte compromès amb la divulgació de la cultura tradicional local mitjançant experiències de viatge responsables i autèntiques.

🍷Cercam un col·laborador autonom apassionat del vi, la vinya i del territori per acompanyar-nos en aquesta aventura.

Parlar anglès és important però saber connectar amb la gent, ho és més.

Si ets tu, escriu a [email protected] per conèixer-nos!

I sinó, per favor, comparteix 😊

 

🍇Forn de sa llotgeta es un proyecto comprometido con la divulgación de la cultura tradicional local a través de experiencias de viaje responsables y auténticas.

🍷Buscamos un colaborador autónomo apasionado del vino, la viña y del territorio para acompañarnos en esta aventura.

Hablar inglés es importante pero saber conectar con la gente, lo es más.

Si eres tú, ¡Escríbe a [email protected] para conocernos!

Y si no, por favor comparte

4/12 TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS SWEETS / TALLER DE REPOSTERIA NAVIDEÑA

(ENG - castellano abajo) The Christmas sweet table in Mallorca is splendid. Become a participant in the preservation of our rich gastronomic legacy, learning how to prepare these 4 typical recipes: 

✨Coca de turrón (Almond nougat)
✨Wallnut nougat with chocolate
✨Mantecados (pastries w/almond & lard) 
✨Coquitos - Coco bites

We will use top-quality local ingredients and follow ancient Mallorcan recipes, under the supervision and support of our chefs, experts in traditional culture and pastries. Each participant will take home a selection of samples of all the creations.

Inclusions:

🌲Guided demonstration of dough making
🌲Hands-on workshop on shaping the different nougats and pastries
🌲Assortment of sweets to take home (bring your own container)
🌲Recipes 
🌲Water and herbal teas

Price : €45 per person

Thursday 4th December from 18:30 to 21:00

If you would like to book this experience for a private group on another date, writte to [email protected]

🌲✨🌲✨🌲✨

(CAST) La mesa dulce navideña en Mallorca es espléndida. ¡Házte partícipe de la preservación de nuestro rico legado gastronómico, aprendiendo a elaborar estas 4 recetas típicas y sorprende a todos estas Navidades!

✨Coca de Turrón
✨Turrón de nueces con chocolate
✨Mantecados
✨Coquitos

Para ello utilizaremos ingredientes locales de primera calidad y seguiremos antiguas recetas mallorquina. Cada participante se llevará a casa un surtido de todas las elaboraciones.

Inclusiones: 

🌲Demostración guiada de la elaboración de las masas
🌲Taller participativo de moldeado de los distintos turrones
🌲Surtido de dulces para llevarse a casa (trae tu envase)
🌲Recetario
🌲Agua e infusiones

Tarifas: 45€ por pax 

Jueves 4 de diciembre de 18:30 a 21:00

Si quieres organizar este taller para un grupo privado en otra fecha, escríbenos a [email protected]

This is our next seasonal workshop at . We are happy to share local traditions with you all!

ALL SAINTS' PANELLET WORKSHOP - October 28th, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

We'll learn how to make panellets, a traditional sweet for All Saints' Day in the Balearic Islands. Of uncertain origin, with almonds as the main ingredient, it's likely connected to ancient Arab pastries.

We'll prepare a classic dough with top-quality local ingredients and add different natural flavorings to create a varied selection of panellets. Everyone will take their panellets home.

Includes:

🌿Guided dough-making demonstration

🌿 Participatory workshop on making panellets in different flavors.

🌿Each guest takes home their own panellets (bring your own container)

🌿Recipe book

🌿Water and herbal teas

Price per person: €39

More information and bookings: www.deborahsculinaryisland.com/talleresdetemporada