Customs & Traditions
Today, December 13th, the pueblo of Sineu has the distinction of presenting the last fira of the calendar year in Mallorca, the Fira de Sant Tomàs i Mostra de Ses Matances. […]
Customs & Traditions
Pa amb oli is in all probability the quintessential Mallorcan food item. It could be compared with the Catalan Pa amb tomàquet even though it is said that the Mallorcan […]
Daily Life
The mushroom period is upon us in a big way this year. Everywhere in Mallorca’s markets we find a plentitude of Girgolas, Llenguas de Bous, Peus Blaus, Esclatassangs, Picornells, Bolets, […]
Customs & Traditions
Just as Mallorca is preparing itself for the arrival of a first wintery spell of snow, albeit only in the highest of our Tramuntana peaks, the countryside is still bristling […]
Customs & Traditions
Autumn is the time of the big village firas each with a special theme or subject, mostly food, wine and related produce. There is the Sobrassada fair, the Pebre Bord […]
Daily Life
With Hallowe’en less than three weeks away, may I remind you that Autumn is the time for pumpkins, gourds, calabazas, marrows, squashes, melons, whatever you want to call them. All […]
Animals
The Mostra de la Llampuga will take place tomorrow, October 11th, in Cala Rajada. There were rumours in the press that this year’s Mostra would not take place, but it […]
Customs & Traditions
From time immemorial the people of Spain have used salt, spices and fresh air to preserve sausages for future use. Over the centuries these skills have been refined to an […]
Architecture
Every single traditional Mallorcan finca (farmhouse) has its own stone built, wood fired horno (bread oven; forn in Catalan). These bread ovens were used for the weekly ritual of baking […]
Customs & Traditions
I could have posted this blog entry earlier, at the beginning of Summer. But now, at the beginning of September temperatures here are still hot enough in Mallorca to enjoy […]
Felanitx
Historians tell us that Christopher Columbus brought maize (Zea mays) grains back to the Spanish court, originating from the Greater Antilles in the Caribean, and thus maize was grown in […]
Daily Life
Here in Mallorca we are particularly privileged with an abundant supply of fish and seafood, and with it, the related markets and outlets for the freshest fish and of the […]
Customs & Traditions
The caper (Capparis spinosa) is one of the most characteristic plants of the Balearic islands. In its natural habitat this very useful plant lives in the walls of ancient city […]
Customs & Traditions
Porreres is one of my favourite pueblos on the island. Around this time of the year Porreres is in the news because of its apricot harvest. In the past, the […]
Animals
Which one came first – the chicken or the egg? That’s the question. But in our day and age the real question seems to be: where do the eggs come […]
Daily Life
Times are hard for some in Mallorca. Money is tight, employment is low and the figures for unemployment are higher here than they have been for the last 30 years. […]