Life on Mallorca offers a lot more than sun, summer, beach and ballerina. The beginning of the year on the popular holiday island is all about blooming almond trees. We'll tell you when and where you can best enjoy the almond blossom in Mallorca.
Meaning of Almond Blossom
Originally introduced by the Moors in the 10th century, the almond tree is now an integral part of Mallorca and has a lasting impact on the island's natural landscape. Since a phylloxera plague destroyed entire vineyards in 1891, the robust almond has also been an important agricultural commodity. Although the numbers have been declining for some time, around 7,000 tons are still harvested annually today. Almond products have become an integral part of life on Mallorca, especially Mallorcan cuisine, for example as
- Nougat
- Chocolate
- Liqueur
- Gató de almendra (almond cake)
- Turrón (a popular sweet)
Since the 1930s, the almond blossom has played an important role in the economy of the Balearic island. During this time, the flowering trees became a popular motif in tourism advertising and the epitome of a Mediterranean idyll. Today, the blossoming of the almond trees is considered a real highlight and regularly attracts crowds of holidaymakers from the cold mainland to Mallorca at the beginning of the year - and thus ensures that hotels and holiday apartments are well occupied even in the off-season. If that's not enough for you, you can buy a finca in Mallorca to benefit from the wonderful climate all year round and enjoy the Mallorcan flair.
Tip:
For those who can't get enough of almonds, there is often the opportunity to help with the harvest on small plantations in midsummer.
Time of almond blossom
When the almond blossom begins on Mallorca depends on the prevailing temperatures and the course of the winter. Unfortunately, an exact prediction is not possible. However, the thermometer usually rises so high in the second half of January that the almond trees begin to bloom by the end of the month at the latest. In recent years, however, it has often been much milder, so the time of almond blossom is moving ever forward. At temperatures of around 15 to 20 degrees, the first flowers can venture into the sunlight shortly after the turn of the year.
This is what you should also know about the duration of the almond blossom if you are planning a trip to Mallorca:
- usually takes about two months
- of which four to six weeks of flowering in all its glory
- Beginning, mid-March at the latest, end of flowering period
- Temperatures too high
- first green leaves on almond trees
Tip:
If you want to be on the safe side, visit the island in February. Especially in the middle of the month, you will almost certainly be able to enjoy the fragrant almond blossoms in Mallorca.
Where is the most beautiful almond blossom?
With around seven million almond trees growing in Mallorca, it is almost impossible to name the “most beautiful”. However, the almond blossoms develop earlier and more abundantly in the sunny south and east than in the other, comparatively rough areas of the island. Especially in the north there are only a few almond trees.
The almond blossom is particularly magnificent and impressive on the east coast of Mallorca. Between Portocolom and Cala Millor, for example, there are a whole range of wonderful photo opportunities. In the southeast, the first flowers appear early in the year in the area around Llucmajor. From Palma, the region between Soller and Andratx with its floral splendor invites day-trippers to the southwest of the island.
Tip:
A real highlight is the traditional almond blossom festival “Fira de la Flor d’Ametler”, which takes place annually on the first Sunday in February in Son Servera. There you will be presented with a variety of local almond products, surrounded by blossoming almond trees and folkloric music.
No matter how you spend your stay in Mallorca - whether you enjoy life in a relaxed manner in a beautiful hotel or a finca on the east coast or are active on mountain hikes through the Tramuntana mountains or on bike tours through the flat center of the island - blooming You can discover almond trees (almost) everywhere on the island.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “almond blossom” in Spanish?
In Spanish you can say “la flor de almendro” or “la floración de los almendros”. In the local Mallorcan dialect, names such as “Ametlla” or “Ametler” also refer to almonds.
What does the color of the almond blossom mean?
The misconception that bitter almonds only bloom pink and sweet almonds only bloom white is still widespread. In fact, it doesn't matter. The color of the flowers depends solely on the variety of almond tree. By the way, there are around 150 different types of almond trees in Mallorca.
Can you eat almonds raw?
Sweet almonds provide important nutrients and vitamins and can be eaten raw without hesitation. However, with the exception of pregnant women, you should not exceed the recommended daily amount of around 20 grams too often. Bitter almonds, on the other hand, can even be fatally poisonous when raw due to the hydrogen cyanide they contain. Therefore, be sure to heat them sufficiently before consumption.
