 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
What used to be once traditionally considered as a quick bite between meals, has established itself as an entirely independent meal. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If last year’s event caused such a major stir with 17 yachts, this year’s SUPERYACHT CUP 2007 left a historical record in the Bay of Palma. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since its inauguration in 1992, Port Adriano, a newly created marina, has made a considerable difference to the well being of the area known as El Toro ... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chocolate has always played an important role in the lives of the Mallorcan people. At the turn of the 20th Century, Palma’s shady street cafés ... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 18th Century Church of Sant Andreu in Santanyi, in Mallorcas central east corner, is home to one of the most impressive musical instruments in Europe ... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How the herbs for Mallorca’s famous Hierbas liqueur are cultivated. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the 1970s Santa Ponsa was a typical Mediterranean tourist resort town of hotels, holiday apartments, a marina, summer season cafés ... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The First Mallorca team will celebrate the New Year in Thailand. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Imagine a Mallorca without beach life. Not a single hotel for miles. No cars or taxis to take you on your way. Difficult isn’t it? But life was like that ... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They are green, slightly bitter and are pickled as the procedure back in Roman times: the Mallorcan olives. ... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
The Daring World of Chocolate
 Chocolate has always played an important role in the lives of the Mallorcan people. At the turn of the 20th Century, Palma’s shady street cafés were serving many more cups of hot chocolate in an afternoon than the ever popular “cortados” of today.
In 2005, Neus Forteza certainly had tradition in mind when she went into business. A mere stone's throw from Palma’s Plaza Mayor, she opened a franchise of Cacao Sampaka, the chocolate shop, from the beautiful Gaudiesque building her great-grandfather once helped to build.
Cacao Sampaka, can only be described as a temple to all things chocolate. But this small Spanish owned chain is not only for the chocoholics amongst us, it is also a haven for anyone who appreciates creative culinary expertise, because your average chocolate shop, this is certainly not! Their pure cocoa products are filled with a weird and wonderful variety of foods, some of which are only to be tried by the most daring among us.
With fillings created by famous chef Ramon Morató, these poshly wrapped delights are elegantly displayed in Neus’ minimalist store. Rows of tablet chocolate line the walls, starting with the highest cocoa percentage on the top shelf, moving right down to white chocolate made by using only the cocoa butter itself. But a closer glance reveals some rather odd flavours: Rose Petals and Strawberry, Cinnamon, and Orange flower? The sixty four different types of individual chocolates sold mainly in 8 separate collections, must also be seen (and tasted) to be believed: Balsamic Vinegar, Parmesan Cheese and Anchovy and Hazelnut to name a few. Neus admits that the collection known as “Gastronomic Innovations”, Cacao Sampakas most adventurous selection, is her personal favourite and although initially bewildering, once tasted, customers come back for more…and more. And the worrying thing is they are disturbingly delicious.
This company that source cocoa beans from their own plantations took ‘Sampaka’, from the name of the world’s best ever cocoa plantation. At the end of each year, their group of designers invent new ways to tantalize our taste buds; from chocolate jams, to new truffles, cleverly infused with, well, who knows what? Plus a selection of slightly more conservative flavours, for the less adventurous of us.
 If you are the type of person that loves tradition, pop in for some thick, rich homemade hot chocolate, that Neus serves in the colder months, and whilst there why not pick up a selection of different aperitifs to surprise your dinner guests this year?. A Gin and Tonic chocolate or an Olive Oil Truffle anyone?
Cacao Sampaka is located in Plaça Marqués de Palmer and is open all year round.
www.cacaosampaka.com
|
|
|
Other languages