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In spring Mallorca enchants us with a beautiful natural spectacle in white and pink. It is the time of the almond blossom! The mild Mediterranean winter enables a unique blossom splendour throughout the island. This special event attracts thousands of tourists every year. 

The history of almond trees in Mallorca

The Moors brought the almond trees to Mallorca as early as around the year 900. However, an important change in agricultural cultivation did not take place until the end of the 19th century, when viticulture was almost destroyed by the phylloxera plague. At that time almond growing was called the "Majorcan gold"! Mallorca had the largest contiguous almond growing area in the world.

When is the almond blossom on Mallorca?

The flowering time is usually between the middle of January and the end of February. There is no fixed time for the beginning and end of the almond blossom. First and foremost the weather is decisive. But also the location of the trees and the tree variety are relevant. The harvest time takes place in late summer.

How many almond trees are there in Mallorca?

In Mallorca there are about 200 different varieties of almond trees. Many of them grow wild. The bitter almond can be recognized by its pink flowers and the sweet almond has white flowers. Currently only 15,000 hectares are actively cultivated. In recent years, the fall in prices due to international competition and fungal infestation of the trees has led to a decline in the area under cultivation. About 90% of the almond trees are older than 50 years and new trees are hardly ever planted. The farmers who were responsible for the cultivation over generations are dying out. For the next generation, farming is neither profitable nor lucrative! Almond cultivation is increasingly neglected. Almond trees are rarely pruned and the earth is ploughed only once a year.

Almond blossom route in Mallorca

Most of the production areas are located at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana. The centre of the cultivation of almond trees in Mallorca is traditionally the region of "Es Raiguer". The east coast between Portocolom and Cala Millor offers breathtaking almond growing areas. The route between Andratx and S`Arraco is also worth a trip. The route from Palma to Valldemossa and Sóller also offers unforgettable moments.

The Almond Festival in Son Servera

The famous almond blossom festival "Firó de la Flor d' Ametler" takes place on the first Sunday of February in Son Servera. Here you can get to know typical products of the Mallorcan almond. Whether the famous almond cake "Gato de Almendra", soaps, perfumes, creams or spreads. A visit is worthwhile in any case.