Mallorcan galletas d’oli of the Quely type have been known since 1850 or so. Some sources say that this dry, slightly salty biscuit was the invention of a British sailor. Whatever. Its elaboration undoubtedly is related to the demand of the navigating seafarers; they needed to be supplied with a product with characteristics very similar to bread, nutritive and lasting, to be part of the food supply during long oceanic passages.
Few things are more significantly Mallorcan than these small galletas. They make a perfect snack to go with a drink or to be given to children as a snack when off to school or to the beach. Galletas can be eaten straight from their package or with a multitude of spreads, from pure olive oil to sobrassada, and from cheese to paté.
The best known galletas d’oli come from the house of Quely in Inca. Quely has now chosen Rafa Nadal as their public face. I personally prefer the Rossellons make, also from Inca. The best, however, are likely to be made by your local panaderia. Ask your baker if they make their own galletas d’oli and if so, try them. I bet you will agree; artisanal bread biscuit baking is always best.
The photo was taken in Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: February 7th, 2010. The time was 09:18:14.
The Mallorca Photo Blog 
I love Quelis!!! I miss them, if only they made them in other countries too! Whenever any of my Mallorcan friends go away on holiday they always take a few packets of Quelis with them, just in case they don’t like foreign food… That shows how important they are to Mallorquins 🙂
Oh yes we always had a bag of Inca biscuits tucked away in a picnic basket or in our carryall straw shoulder baskets. My girls loved them spread with peanut butter when we could find it. Otherwise Nocilla or Laughing Cow cheese triangles were spread on them, once split open. I miss them here in Canarias. Cheers…Sharon.
I miss Quelitas!!! Quelitas con Mate!!! We have a similar kind in Argentina but they’re made with animal fat, not oil. They’re ok, but nothing compares to Mallorcan galleta d’oli 🙂
Thank you for share 🙂
Helloo!
We are fourth year ESO students of the Ramon Lull. In our English class we have read some articles of your blog, and we liked this article. We fully agree that the children eat Quelitas as snacks because when we had 5 or 6 years old (or more young) also we ate these biscuits.
We have read that you prefer Rossellons biscuits than Quelitas, but we like quelitas most. In Palma is most popular Quelitas than the Rossello biscuits.
See you !