Apricots in Mallorca: the tradition of Porreres

When June arrives, delicious summer fruits begin to appear. Many villages in Mallorca are filled with the sweet scent of apricots ripening in the sun. And if there is one place particularly linked to this fruit, it is Porreres, a farming village where the ‘albercoc’ has been part of the tradition, cuisine and landscape for generations.

 

The apricot, a fruit with a long history

The word ‘apricot’ comes from the Hispano-Arabic ‘Albarqúq’, which in turn derives from Classical Arabic and Greek. It seems the fruit originated in China, from where it spread across Central Asia and the Middle East, before finally being introduced to Europe by the Greeks and Romans.

 

The excellent properties of apricots

Apricots – easy to peel, small but tasty, and sometimes with a hint of tartness that makes them very refreshing – are one of the Mallorcans’ favourite fruits.

Between May and August is the season when apricots are harvested and when you can enjoy their benefits. Did you know they are packed with vitamins (A, C and B3)? And that they are rich in minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium? On top of all this, they are high in fibre, making them a powerful antioxidant and highly beneficial for the heart, skin, bones, eyesight, hair and the immune system.

Apricots in Mallorca

Mallorca also welcomed this wonderful fruit, known locally as ‘Albercoc’ (or aubercoc): Today, the apricot is a star product of our cuisine, particularly in Porreres, a village in the centre of the island, where the annual apricot fair is held.

 

Porreres, land of apricots

It is estimated that around 70% of Mallorca’s apricot trees are concentrated in the municipality of Porreres. It is therefore easy to understand the great importance of this crop in this town.

 

How they are traditionally dried

Nowadays, there are undoubtedly modern, powerful industrial ovens and drying lines, but the traditional method of drying apricots used in Porreras is very different; it is a completely artisanal process. Once the fruit has been picked from the tree at its peak of ripeness, it is taken to people’s homes to be processed properly. There are different varieties, but the favourite in Porreras is usually the ‘Galta roja’, due to its texture and flavour with a hint of tartness.

There, they are cut into two halves, which end up looking like two ears, and the large, hard stone is removed. The next step is to arrange these halves neatly on some reeds or boards, known locally as “Canyissos”. They are left in the sun on a terrace or rooftop for at least a day and a half (depending on the weather and temperature). Once they have dried to the desired consistency, they are removed and stored. To prevent insect infestation or to preserve the product, a small amount of powdered sulphur is sometimes used. This entire process is known as “Es sequer”.

 

Apricot Fair in Porreres

Every June, Porreres hosts the “Fira de L’Albercoc”, featuring a host of activities and stalls selling apricot-based products: fresh fruit, apricots dried “al canyís”, ice cream, liqueurs, pastries…
But the most fun are the competitions: the apricot cake-making contest, and the most exciting of all, the “Apricot-Slicing Contest”. In 30 minutes, you have to slice as many apricots as possible using the traditional method. Curiously, it’s almost always an elderly woman from the village who wins, as “skill” counts for more than the energy of youth. Do you dare to take part and try to beat the locals?
For full details of the activities planned for this year, check the complete programme on the Porreres Town Council website.

 

A little anecdote about the apricot

One of the most important cities in the Middle East is Damascus, and today it remains the capital of Syria. But what you probably didn’t know is that, in some places such as Andalusia, the Canary Islands or Argentina, apricots are called ‘Damascos’.

 

Discover the Mallorcan almond, highly sought after by chefs around the world for its rich flavour. Click the link to read our article:  Almond from Mallorca

Almond from Mallorca

Here’s a tasty video recipe for apricot coke:

Apricots, nuts and traditional pastries form part of Mallorca’s rich culinary culture, which has been linked for centuries to agriculture and the Mediterranean landscape. Discover the best gourmet products from Mallorca. Visit our online-shop: Discover the best gourmet products from Mallorca