Description
The Ensaimada de Mallorca PGI pastries are made with a sweet pastry mixture which is leavened and baked in the oven. There are two variations: Ensaimada de Mallorca which does not have a filling and Ensaimada de Mallorca de Cabello de Angel which is filled with cabellos de ángel, made from pulped and cooked pumpkin to which lemon rind, cinnamon and sugar has been added.
Production Area
Ensaimada de Mallorca PGI comes from the island of Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands.
Production Method
Dough is made of flour, sugar, eggs, a leavening agent and water, which is rolled out and covered completely with lard. It is then rolled up into a spiral and left to rise for a minimum of 12 hours and then baked in the oven. In the case of the Ensaimada de Mallorca de Cabello de ángel, the filling is added before it is rolled.
Appearance and Flavour
Ensaimada de Mallorca PGI has a golden colour and has a typical spiral shape rolled once or twice in a clockwise direction. Its surface is wavy and has a crunchy and flaky crust which is sometimes dusted with icing sugar. The centre consists of soft layers of flaky pastry in which, in the case of the Cabello de ángel, the filaments of the "angel hair" are visible. The flavour is particularly sweet and the aroma is of baked pastry.
History
Ensaimada de Mallorca PGI has ancient origins, and it is part of the cultural heritage of the island and is still made in the traditional way. There are records of it dating back to the 17th century, when it was made for festivals and celebrations. In the 18th century, it was eaten by the wealthy as a snack or a dessert.
Gastronomy
Ensaimada de Mallorca PGI must be stored in a cool dry place. It can be eaten as a snack or a dessert. Eaten as a dessert, it goes very well with sparkling wines. It is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of milk or cocoa.
Marketing
This pastry is marketed in the traditional version, Ensaimada de Mallorca and in the Ensaimada de Mallorca de Cabello de Angel version. Ensaimada de Mallorca PGI is sold whole and packed in octagonal or circular cardboard boxes. The traditional version comes in weights from 60 up to 2000 gr while the filled version comes in 100-3000 gr.
Distinctive Features
The particularity of Ensaimada de Mallorca PGI pastries lies in the fact that, being a hand made pastry, the organoleptic characteristics are guaranteed by the great experience of the maker. It is also the traditional sweet of the area, known internationally thanks to the great number of tourists who visit the Balearic Islands.
