Customs & Traditions
The very able Mallorcan country folk have created fairs and markets for just about everything Mallorcan one can think of: wine, sobrassada, olive oil, horses, honey, shoes, botifarrons, dogs, mushrooms, […]
Customs & Traditions
The Monestir de la Concepció in Palma de Mallorca can be proud of many things. Sadly, hardly anyone can ever enjoy or appreciate its architecture going back to the 14th […]
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 […]
Daily Life
Last Saturday (October 31st) was the earliest I have ever seen almond blossoms in Mallorca in over twenty years. By nature’s own calendar almond trees do not develop their buds […]
Daily Life
There is a wonder herb in Mallorca that you should get to know. The plant is called Hierbaluisa in Castellano, or Marialluïsa in Catalan; you may know it already under […]
Customs & Traditions
Anytime soon now, you will find an unusual, small fruit in Mallorca’s markets, the Nespro. Outside of Spain, this fruit is rather known as the Medlar (Mespilus germanica), but it […]
Felanitx
In January, I told you about a splendid walk near Felanitx, going from the Monestir de Sant Salvador to the Castell de Santueri (Solvitur Ambulando). Yesterday, my wife and I […]
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 […]
Felanitx
For all the foodies amongst you, I am happy to report that the wild mushroom season has started early. The incredible amount of rain all over the island during the […]
Felanitx
You may have come across a strange looking, small fruit in Mallorcan shops and local markets called Gínjol, especially at this time of year. This Ziziphus jujuba fruit is also […]
Farming
The Algarrobo tree (Ceratonia siliqua, Carob tree) is very characteristic of the Mediterranean region. The plant provides one of Mallorca’s traditionally most important crops, the algarroba fruit (carob fruit, also […]
Customs & Traditions
The Casal de Ca S’Apotecari in Santa Maria del Camí south of the centre of Mallorca is a historic building that apparently is earmarked to house Mallorca’s future Eco-Museum (whatever […]
Beaches
A short while ago, I came across this Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) for the first time ever in over twenty years of living here in Mallorca. The flower is also […]
Fruit
When I first came across a walnut tree (Juglans regia) in Mallorca, I couldn’t believe it. I thought that walnuts were native to the eastern Mediterranean and to the Balkans, […]
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 […]
Farming
Mallorcan farmers are very concerned about their almond trees. Apparently, quite a number of almond trees are dying as a result of a tree pest which might be caused by […]