Taste Mallorca's best ensaïmada

Ensaïmada, a sort of sweet bread roll, is a traditional product on the island of Mallorca, Spain that has been produced and consumed since the 17th century. This is not only a famous dish in Spain but also a popular dish in Southwest Europe, Latin America, and the Philippines.

The first written references to the origin of the Mallorcan ensaïmada date back to the 17th century. At that time, flour was the main ingredient used to make ensaïmada and this signature cake was even made during national festivals and celebrations. In Spanish tradition, ensaïmada is a pastry eaten only at Easter, but today you will find it made and sold year-round.

Mallorca's ensaïmada is in the form of a roll that is made from a mixture of thick flour, water, sugar, eggs, and a type of lard called "saim". The exterior of the pie crust, they are covered with a combination of butter, sugar, and shredded cheese. There are two types of ensaïmada including plain ensaïmada, sprinkled with optional powdered sugar, and stuffed ensaïmada. The inside of an ensaïmada can be varied, featuring "Cabello de Ágel" (made with pumpkin paste and sugar), cream, "Tallades" and chocolate.

Any visitor to this sunny Balearic island will enjoy a Mallorcan ensaïmada for breakfast or an afternoon snack. It is usually served simply with coffee or hot chocolate.

In a nutshell:

• Ensaïmada, a sweet bread roll, is a Mallorca tradition dating back to the 17th century that is popular not only in Spain but also in southwestern Europe, Latin America, and the Philippines.
• Mallorca's ensaïmada is a roll made from a mixture of thick flour, water, sugar, eggs, and a type of fat called "saim" with two main types plain ensaïmada and stuffed ensaïmada.
• You can enjoy Mallorcan ensaïmada with coffee or hot chocolate at any time of the day.