The culinary symbol of Spain's Balearic Islands, ensaimada is a delicacy often brought back from Mallorca by travellers in search of memorable tasty souvenirs. Loved by locals and tourists alike, this age-old pastry comes in a variety of versions, each with its own history and characteristic ingredients.
In search of its origins
The etymology of the word ‘ensaimada’ has its roots in the Mallorcan word ‘saim’, meaning lard. However, its precise origins remain a mystery, fuelling various theories, notably Arab and Jewish.
Arab origins: The Arabs, present in the Balearic Islands as early as 902, prepared a snail-shaped cake called ‘Bulema’, resembling ensaimada but without lard, due to the ban on pork in Islamic cuisine. This resemblance suggests an Arab influence in the design of this delicacy. In addition, the word ‘saim’ has Arabic origins, although the Koranic ban on pork raises questions about the presence of lard in the modern recipe.
Jewish origin: Another theory supports a Jewish origin, with a similar cake called ‘bulema’ eaten on the Sabbath. Legend even has it that a Jewish pastry chef seduced King Jaume I with this brioche during the reconquest of the island in 1229. However, the Jewish ban on eating pork raises similar questions about the use of lard in the recipe.
A variety of flavours: Ensaimadas
Ensaimada comes in a variety of flavours, but there are three main ones:
- Ensaimada lisa:
The classic version, made with flour, water, sugar, eggs, sourdough and lard.
- Ensaimada de Cabello de angel (Angel Hair Ensaimada):
With angel hair, this variant offers an extra touch of sweetness.
- Ensaimada de sobrasada:
Introduced into the recipe, sobressade, a typical Balearic sausage, adds a salty flavour that contrasts with the sweetness of the pastry.
Other gourmet versions, such as those with cream, chocolate, white chocolate or dulce de leche, also appeal to fans of this Mediterranean delicacy.
Where can I buy Ensaimada?
If you want to try ensaimada outside Mallorca or Menorca, there are a number of specialist websites offering these products. Online shops such as Ensaimadas.eu offer an authentic selection so you can enjoy this speciality from home, taking your taste buds all the way to the Balearic Islands.
In short, ensaimada transcends geographical boundaries to become a universal taste experience, uniting sweet lovers from all over the world in a shared quest for sweet pleasures and culinary adventures.
