We are going to carry out a study on the almond trees of the Balearic Islands which, according to the regulations of the European Parliament, give rise to the area being a "protected geographical indication", recognizing four varieties on the market: "Almond de Mallorca "," Almendra Mallorquina "," Ametlla de Mallorca "and" Ametlla Mallorquina ". Some varieties already have the Plantae humidity and conductivity sensors installed because they observe their great advantages.
All are the result of the fruit of the almond trees of the Balearic Islands and are consumed toasted and raw.
Some varieties already have Plantae humidity and conductivity sensors installed.
A total of 93,000 hectares with 90% in Mallorca, 5% in Ibiza and the rest in the other islands in 2019.
Varieties más importantes en las Islas Baleares
The almond tree is a tree of the Rosaceae family and has more than 100 different species.
- The « Marcona « variety, considered the best quality almond in the world. It is the one that best adapts to the climate of the Islands.
- The Pons.
- Pou.
- Jordi.
- Menut.
- Vinagrillo.
- Andreu.
Characteristics of the almond trees of the Balearic Islands
The almond trees of the Balearic Islands to be protected geographical indication have to meet several conditions such as:
- The type of limestone soil with a mixture of fine clay that facilitates the root growth of the almond tree.
- The traditional pruning of the area keeping a low tree that facilitates the collection.
- The organic and natural fertilizer from grazing animals.
- The irrigation comes from the rain and the contribution by drip . Plantae is already in many plantations, controlling humidity, soil temperature and conductivity, which has a very positive influence on almond growth.
- The production of the first year is not marketed. From the second year, 5% is allowed. In the third 25%. Fourth year 60%. Fifth year 80%. Sixth year and following 100%.
- Harvesting takes place from mid-August to the end of September.
Unfavorable aspects:
- First the sea wind with a contribution of sodium chloride. To avoid this, it is advisable to plant on slopes.
- Also environmental humidity can cause diseases in trees. Phytosanitary treatments are recommended.
- It is very important to make up for the lack of rain in the almond growing season. Controlled irrigation favors quality and quantity.
- We are also going to emphasize that the increase in tourism in the area means that crops are abandoned and that plantations are not renewed. It is important to incentivize with subsidies to create intensive plantations.
- Recognition of the almond of the Balearic Islands.
Para el control de humedad nuestra empresa desarrolla en el 2020 un pluviometro que va a dar a los almendros de Mallorca soluciones a algunos de estos aspectos:
- It indicates the hours of rain.
- It has a relative humidity sensor installed.
- Also an ambient temperature sensor that allows us to collect the cold hours and assess the thermal integral.
- At the end of the cold hours we know that germination begins.
- With the thermal integral we value the start of production and maturation.
Almond trees with protected geographical indication
To guarantee the origin of the almonds, they must carry a regulatory labeling in all the processes to which the almond is subjected:
- Producers and plantations. They must be registered in the corresponding registry, indicating the production area.
- Handlers and storekeepers. The almond goes in bulk and the warehouses are installed in the production area and in a dry environment.
- Dehullers . The almond is moistened for a maximum of one day and the shell is separated from the seed using splitting machines. Afterwards, the ventilation is carried out.
- Repellers. It is the elimination of the integument or skin that surrounds the seed.
- Repellers. It is the elimination of the integument or skin that surrounds the seed.
- Packers . The packaging must protect the almond and be carried out in the place of origin.
Recommended routes to see the almond trees in bloom
On the Island of Mallorca we can enjoy almond blossom from mid-January to the end of February. The landscape in the form of a white mantle can be explored by car, bicycle or on foot. It is a nice way to enjoy a winter vacation.
We highlight the following routes:
- The Sierra de Tramontana.
- The central route from Palma to the regions of La Selva and Moscari.
- The region of Llucmajor.
- Finally the route from Manacor to Sant Llornec.
Applications that give the Islands to almonds
The « marcona » almond that we have already said is the most important variety because it is especially oily, sweet and with a very soft texture. This makes it widely used in confectionery.
Mallorca offers us two typical desserts that can be combined at the same time and the result is spectacular, these are:
Gató Mallorquín, almond cake with the following ingredients:
- 200 grams of ground marcona almonds.
- 200 grams of ground marcona almonds.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- Scrape of a lemon.
- 5 eggs The whites to the point of snow are beaten apart from the rest.
- Icing sugar to garnish.
- Todo esto batido y mezclado adecuadamente y horneado media hora a 180º.
Almond ice cream
- First, a liter of whole milk is boiled with two cinnamon sticks, 4 tablespoons of sugar and lemon rind. It is allowed to cool in the refrigerator.
- Second 250 gr of raw, peeled and crushed marcona almonds.
- Third we strain the milk and mix it with the almond. It is placed in the freezer. It is convenient to stir it every two hours to make it creamier.
We can also find: almond horchata, sweet almonds , Panellets and Ibizan muffins.
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