One of the fragrances, I take away from Spain is the scent
of orange trees, I just love it. The artisan company Arquinesia, make perfume,
body products and candles using natural ingredients to represent Majorca and
have a gorgeous orange scent which is almost good enough to eat.
I spend time living
on a finca in Pollenca, in Majorca, and there was something wonderful about eating
a fresh orange straight from a tree, that doesn’t happen in Yorkshire!
To decorate the courtyards
of Moorish palaces, the most famous been the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcazar
in Seville, Arabs planted bitter Orange (Seville) trees which they had used for
this purpose since the 11th century. These were cultivated for the
perfume from the white blossoms, Azaher, and for medicinal purposes as the peel
was chewed to fresher the breath.
Spanish agriculture owes much to the creators of Moorish
gardens. To ensure that the flowers, trees and greenery has enough moisture to
survive the extreme heat of summer, a system of canals, water wheels and reservoirs were built
to irrigate the site. This fresh water also cooled the air, today in Granada,
cafes still puff out a dry mist of air into the streets during the hottest
times of the year. Irrigating the land in the months when there is no rain and in conditions of extreme heat means that crops can be grown, otherwise it would be impossible.
The surviving Arabian courtyards and palace gardens are now
tourist attractions and viewed because of their beauty, however they are
cleverly constructed to adapt to the weather, the many water features, foundations
and water cascades are not just design features but also help to provide
additional moisture. Moorish gardens are based on the desert Oasis, a paradise
of fertile lands of peaceful shady trees and springs. Green is the colour of life, giving harmony and
invigorating. The courtyard gardens were planted; with palms, cypress, orange
and lemon trees, scented flowers, roses, lilies and violets and fragrant herbs,
laurel, rosemary and thyme. Delicate and heady scents a mix of the two cultures.
These beautiful gardens displays are still emulated in garden design today. If
you admire garden design these are a true feast for the senses.
In 1520, the sweet
orange tree was introduced to Majorca by the Portuguese. These are most prominent
in the south of the island in the Soller and Valldemossa, the Valley
of Gold, and the wealth of this area had much to do with the cultivation and
export of oranges. Sa Fabrica de Gelats
in Soller makes a wonderful orange ice cream using 100% natural ingredients from
the island. From the 19th century,because of high demand most of today's orange production is on
the Spanish mainland from Alicante to Tarragona, which has a higher yield than
Majorca. However, mini-plantations from the 18th century are still cultivated
so oranges are grown in relatively small areas, these still can manage to farm up
to six different varieties. Planting and harvesting take place in much the same
way as in the golden days and are often family businesses. Oranges can be used in sweet or savoury dishes, preserved
and for fresh juice which is often sold in street markets, a
variety is grown especially and these are extra juicy.
When I first visited Spain as a child one of my favourite dishes, was an orange salad, which can be a starter, side dish to eat with meat
or fish or can be eaten at the end of a meal. It’s very quick and easy to make and
has a middle-eastern flavour
Ensalada De Taronja or Naranja
Take 4 medium sized oranges, peel and slice arranging on a
dish, season with sea-salt, white pepper and sugar. Then chop up a couple of
springs of fresh mint, sprinkle this over the oranges, then lightly drizzle olive
oil and put in a fridge for around ½ hour. You can add black olives as a garnish or swap
the mint for sultanas and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
To me ripe,aromatic,oranges will always be the essence of Spain!
No comments:
Post a Comment