Crafts
Menorcan craftsmanship is of the highest quality. Leather goods, bags, leather jackets and belts (the main production areas are Ferreries, Ciutadella and Alaior) are on sale in all specialist stores. While quality terracotta and ceramic objects, pearls, jewelry and fashion accessories can be found all over the island, Menorca is particularly famous for its tradition of shoe-making. The famous avarques (also known as minorquines), with their remarkable craftsmanship, are certainly the island's most emblematic and representative footwear. Summer shoes invented almost a century and a half ago, they have represented the rural spirit of Menorca since they were first marketed in the 1950s, and have gained in prestige over the last twenty years following a certain amount of modernization. But other types of shoe - mainly leather crafts - are also made in Menorca. For example, you can visit the Pons Quintana factories and showrooms, located in the center of Alaior and Ria on the Ferreries industrial estate. An adjoining shop specializing in luxury women's footwear is also a great place to pick up some bargains. Menorca is also known for its fabric crafts, used to make tablecloths and curtains, as well as a whole range of clothing. In fact, the local ready-to-wear company Pou Nou has used this textile production to its advantage, offering a whole range of simple summer and winter garments. There are several stores throughout the island.
For the mouth
The island's market stalls are full of excellent products. However, a few products stand out. They're real treats to offer or to treat yourself to. For starters, Menorcan cheese, whose real name is queso Mahón-Menorca - to comply with the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), production being spread across the whole island and not just the town of Maó - is an island institution. Although originally from Mallorca,ensaïmada, a sweet baked pastry, can be found in every corner of Menorca and is without doubt the most emblematic gift to bring back from the Balearics. In the bakery-pastry department, you'll also find a whole range of sweet treats such as pastissets, flaons, carquinyols and amargos. Just as famous, also native to Mallorca, but eaten in large quantities on Menorca: sobrassada, a cold cut seasoned with salt, paprika and aromatic herbs, is made from a soft dough that's easy to spread on a slice of bread. A real treat! The islands also produce top-quality olive oils and wines.
As for beverages, Menorca is home to a gin inherited from British rule. Menorcan gin differs from English standards in its production and presentation: it is obtained by distilling ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and juniper berries. New gin brands have recently been launched on the island. Gin is also used in the recipe for the local drink synonymous with local festivals: pommada, made with gin and homemade lemonade. Menorca also boasts some excellent wines (a tradition that goes back more than a thousand years), such as the Torralbenc winery, one of the island's seven wine estates.
