Almond trees in flower
Between January and February, coinciding with the flowering of the almond trees, the island of Mallorca takes on a spectacular beauty. The flowering almond trees, with their different pink and white shades, are particularly attractive to photographers, painters and to all lovers of nature in general. As a matter of fact, in Germany and other countries special trips to Mallorca are organised just to see the important scenic values of the almond blossom.
The main area of almond production on Mallorca is in the central-west, particularly Marratxí, Bunyola, Santa Maria, Sencelles, Lloseta and Selva amongst others. This area, due to its microclimate is the most productive of Mallorca. The South West also deserves special mention and the municipalities of Manacor, Sant Llorenç and Son Servera. Nevertheless, there are almond trees all over the island.
The Mediterranean climate and the dry farming crop system gives the Mallorcan almond its unique characteristics. Its sweet taste, a greater content of proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates, make this a universally desired product, used in a great variety of foods.
The almond crop is collected between the end of August and beginning of September. Nowadays nearly all the harvest is carried out mechanically via machines that have large pincers that surround the trunk and shake the tree to make the ripe fruit fall down. However, on Mallorca, there are many small cultivations and there are still people who pick by hand, hitting the branches with long sticks.
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