Fabio Trabocchi On The Essential Products To Buy In Majorca, Spain

Fabio Trabocchi is the man to know in Washington, D.C. As owner of the District's Fiola, Fiola Mare and Casa Luca restaurants, the Italian-born chef has racked up an impressive number of accolades over the years, including the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid Atlantic in 2013. His three establishments have been voted among the best in the country by publications including Bon Appétit, Esquire and GQ. Trabocchi's wife grew up on Majorca, Spain, where the couple owns a home and frequently spends summers. Fresh off a trip to the Mediterranean island, Trabocchi wrote in with a guide to essential native products to look for in Majorca.

natural Flor de Sal d'Es Trenc's products are harvested from the salt flats near Es Trenc beach.

Flor de Sal d'Es Trenc

In Ses Salines, you will find the beautiful Es Trenc beach and the nearby salt flats. Flor de Sal d'Estrenc produces a variety of sea salts, including a black olive salt that we use at the restaurants.

Screen Shot 2015-08-24 at 4.18.37 PM The Sóller Valley is home to a variety of quality marmalades.

Orange marmalade of Sóller

Orange marmalade made from the Canoneta orange is grown only in Fornalutx, located in the Sóller Valley.

IMG_1724 The trinxet knife is commonly found in nearly every Majorcan household.

Trinxet knife

This large pocket knife with a hook-style blade is used for cutting bread for pa amb oli (bread with olive oil), sausages, cheese and fruit, with one hand against the breast. The trinxet is a traditional knife of the peasantry, and you can find one in nearly every Majorcan household, as well as in the markets.

Olive Wood Boards Sineu Market Beautiful and durable, these hand-carved cutting boards are made from the island's many twisted olive trees.

Olive wood cutting boards

Found in every market across the island, olive wood cutting boards are both beautiful and durable. They are hand-carved by artisans from the many twisted olive trees on the island. Pick up boards and a variety of other utensils such as spoons and bowls in the shops in Sóller.

image6 Olive oil cruets — like this one assembled by the glassmakers at Gordiola — are found in many Majorcan households.

Hand-blown glass setrill (olive oil cruet) from Gordiola

The glass olive oil cruet is fundamental to any Majorcan household. A steady flow of oil is regulated by the size of the hole in the spout which, in the case of the Gordiola setrill, is fine and almost sinewy, allowing for greater control. You can visit the Gordiola factory to watch the glass artisans make olive oil cruets, goblets and bowls, as well as lamps and other items. The Gordiola family has been in the glass-blowing business since the 18th century.

Anima Negra White Àmina Negra wines are known for utilizing a number of indigenous grape varietals.

Ànima Negra wines

Arrange a tasting on the centuries-old country estate at Son Burguera, formerly a dairy farm, near the town of Felanitx. The young winemakers have received worldwide acclaim for making delicious wines using indigenous varietals, such as Manto Negre, Fogoneu, Prensal and Callet.

pmi3 Founded in 1866, Carmina is the island's go-to shop for quality custom shoes.

Carmina (Albadalejo)

Majorca is known for its tradition of quality shoemakers, and you can pick up the ultimate in wearable luxury by having the craftsmen at Carmina (a family business founded in 1866 as Albadalejo, now in its sixth generation) fit you for a pair of custom shoes.