Almond blossoms for eternity

Miguel Ángel Benito is Mallorca's only perfumer. His creations used to enchant tourists in particular, but today his fragrances, oils and creams are also popular with locals.

Back to overview

Verónica Benito wears a cap, gloves and a lab coat at work. She stands in the laboratory and handles small, slender glass bottles on a white table in front of her. Next to them, on a glass plate, are bright, wet flowers.

Using her fingers, she now places one flower on each open neck of the bottle, carefully spreads out the five petals and then gently presses the flower into the bottle with a long blunt plastic stick.

As soon as they are immersed in the transparent liquid, they unfold, appear infinitely delicate and enchant. "Every perfume is a hand-picked greeting of love," says Verónica's father Miguel Ángel Benito.

This is the featured image

Flor d'Ametler, almond blossom, is the name of the only perfume produced in Mallorca. Its trademark is the real blossom that floats in every bottle. Bernat Vallori came up with the idea more than 70 years ago. The founder of the perfume factory was a chemist and wanted to offer tourists a special souvenir in keeping with the island's image at the time.

Mallorca was considered a place of longing for romantics. Initially, it was not beaches and the sea that adorned the advertising posters, but blossoming almond branches. This perception was also shaped by the princely couple Gracia and Rainier of Monaco, who spent their honeymoon on the island in 1956. Vallori was certainly a romantic himself, because, as Miguel Ángel explains, "the idea came to him while walking under almond trees in bloom, they must have intoxicated him."
Vallori's grandmothers were her role models. They created their own rose and orange blossom water. Every estate used to have a small distillery. The Benito family bought the brand from the founder 40 years ago. Today, they produce three perfumes near Palma. They combine the aroma of almond blossom with different fragrances: The classic smells sweet and light, Fresc (Fresh) has a citrus note and Desig (Desire) smells woody and aromatic.

There is also another product line that is marketed under the brand name Tot Herba: Natural cosmetics and essential oils, with almond oil and herbs from the island. It is important to Miguel Ángel Benito that as many ingredients as possible are grown on Mallorca. In keeping with his philosophy of life, he runs the manufactory with energy from his own solar panels, employs people with disabilities and only sells his products on the island. The environmentalist is just as uninterested in long transportation routes as he is in large-scale production. "When it comes to quantity, the island can't compete with others," he says, "we can only score points with quality." Benito's love of his homeland is palpable when you visit the small factory. "Mallorca has more than 100 varieties of almonds," he says, "we have to preserve this wealth." On the island, almond trees are considered a relic from
the good old days when agriculture was still profitable. Not all the blossoms are intensely fragrant; most of the trees were planted for almond production, some also as a source of wood. "The more hours of sunshine the blossoms get, the sweeter they smell," explains Benito, "but the trees also need a bit of weather stress."

Today, Benito is worried about his trees, some of which have died due to the prolonged drought and the fire bacterium, a deadly plant disease that has been raging for several years. Now he is looking for new, resistant varieties. When visiting the plantations outside the city, it becomes clear what Benito is talking about. Many trees are in full bloom, appearing to be dusted with soft pink or white sugar, attracting bees and other insects. But there are also bare trees in between, without flowers, without leaves. Only dark, rough branches reach for the sky. Benito's hope lies in the small seedlings growing between them. "These are new varieties," he says, "let's see if they hold out." At flowering time in February, the perfumer visits the plantation every morning so as not to miss the right moment. He has planted different varieties so that the almond trees do not all blossom at the same time. This gives Benito and his employees time to harvest and pickle the blossoms in alcohol. This has to be done on the same day, as the blossoms wilt quickly.

Today Benito is worried about his almond trees

The smell of the island

Freshly plucked, they are freed from the flower stalks and placed in large, bulbous glass bottles, where they float in an alcohol mixture for up to five years. The bottles are stored in a small stone bunker at the edge of the plantation. Benito unlocks the rusty iron door and enters the cool, underground room. It smells of alcohol and a little bit of honey. On one wall is a shelf with three boards. All of them are full of bottles. Benito grabs one, takes off the plastic lid and swivels it a little. Thousands of blossoms start to move. "Now," he says, bringing his nose close to the neck of the bottle. He closes his eyes and breathes in deeply. It is the smell of his island.
Text: Brigitte Kramer Photos: Gunnar Knechtel

Your thoughts, impressions and experiences! to the article: Almond blossoms for eternity

You've just read one of our latest articles full of exciting insider stories - whether it's about fascinating personalities, hidden treasures of the island or unique experiences. Now it's your turn! We invite you to share your thoughts, impressions and own experiences in the comments section.

Have you found your own memories in Mallorca's stories, met fascinating characters or have experiences of your own that you would like to share with us?

Each of your comments is a brushstroke that makes the vibrant picture of Mallorca even more colorful and varied.

Share your impressions, arouse curiosity or express your enthusiasm - every exchange here is an enrichment of our shared passion for this magical island.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

[showrandomspecial]