Palmas Sweetest Corner Glazed chestnuts, “Musictarts” and meringues are unlike Ensaimadas some of the more unfamiliar gastronomic specialties of Mallorca. Such treats are sold in shops around the Plaça d’es Mercat in Palma, a sheer paradise for cake and chocolate lovers.
According to Joan Olives I Mercadal, a member of the “Academia de la Cuina I del Vi de Mallorca” researching the islands culinary traditions, confectionery goes back a long way in Mallorca. The unmistakeably French influence in this industry, still evident today, derives from the fact that the employees of Mallorcan aristocrats were sent to France for training and returned with numerous concepts for new delicacies.
One of the Bombonerías and Confiterísas lining the streets of Palma is “La Pajarita” selling homemade glazed chestnuts following an old “French recipe. The chestnuts are primarily boiled in water, then in sugar syrup and later refined by a drop of brandy. Like a chocolate, each chestnut is finally wrapped in golden paper. A kilo of chestnuts costs 40 Euros or approximately 80 cents per piece.
Pau Llull, the junior chef of the “Bonbonería Forn Fondo” specializes in “Tartelas de Música” or “Musictarts”, small cakes made from almond flour, covered with, either honey and walnut chocolate coating, pieces of dried fruit or an almond paste.
Bartomlomé Amorós from the “Confitería Ca’s Net”, one of the oldest confectioneries in Palma prepares meringues or “Baisers”, which is French for kiss, from his grandfather’s recipe. This specialty is made from sugar and beaten egg white and melts in the mouth. A hundred grams of this delicacy amounts to 4 Euros. “Ca’s Net” caters to the royal family when they are residing in the Marivent Palace during the summer. Amorós sweet creations are savoured by his majesty King Juan Carlos I himself.
Some reputable establishments include: