Ensaïmada

Ensaïmada is a pastry product from Balearic Islands, Spain. It is a common cuisine of countries which were Spanish territories. The name comes from the Catalan word saïm, which means 'pork lard' (from Latin sagma, 'fat').

History

The Ensaïmada has a long history, dating back to the 17th century. It is believed to have been influenced by the Moors during their occupation of Spain. The pastry was traditionally made with pork lard, which is where it gets its name.

Description

The Ensaïmada is a spiral-shaped pastry that is light and airy, similar to a brioche. It is made from strong flour, water, sugar, eggs, mother dough and a kind of reduced pork lard named saïm. The dough is fermented for several hours before being baked, resulting in a product with a distinctive flavor and texture.

Varieties

There are several varieties of Ensaïmada, including plain (llisa), filled with apricot (cabell d'àngel), cream (crema), and even sobrasada and pumpkin jam (tallades). The most luxurious version is filled with almond paste (turrón).

Geographical Indication

The Ensaïmada de Mallorca is protected by the Geographical Indication (PGI) "Ensaimada de Mallorca" since 1996. This means that only pastries made in the Balearic Islands can be sold under this name.

See Also

• List of Spanish desserts
• Balearic cuisine
• Geographical Indications and Traditional Specialities in the European Union