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Ensaïmada

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description Ensaïmada Overview

Ensaïmada is a traditional Portuguese sweet bread characterized by its distinctive star-shaped appearance and rich, crumbly crust achieved through a unique dough enriched with lard and abundant sugar.

help Ensaïmada FAQ

Does ensaïmada come from Portugal or Mallorca?

Traditional ensaïmada comes from Mallorca in Spain's Balearic Islands, not Portugal. Ensaïmada de Mallorca has protected geographical status and is sold throughout the island's bakeries.

Why is ensaïmada shaped like a spiral?

The baker stretches and rolls the enriched dough into a long strand, then coils it into a flat spiral. It is not traditionally star-shaped, despite that description appearing in some catalogs.

Is traditional ensaïmada vegetarian?

Usually not, because the traditional dough contains saïm, the Mallorcan word for pork lard. The pastry's name derives from that ingredient, so anyone avoiding pork should ask whether a bakery uses a substitute.

What fillings are used in Mallorcan ensaïmada?

The classic lisa version is unfilled and dusted with sugar. Another protected variety contains cabello de ángel, a sweet preserve made from strands of pumpkin or squash.

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