With just over 70 years of history, variat has become a hallmark of Mallorcan cuisine and culture. Combining different dishes, its secret lies in being served in small portions as a tasting. In this post, we'll tell you what it's all about, its origins, its ingredients, and where you can find it. Read on…
What is the famous Mallorcan variat?
The Mallorcan variat is the tapa par excellence in Mallorca. It is a combination of classic dishes of Mallorcan cuisine served in a ceramic casserole or on a plate and combines different portions where textures and flavors mingle. Although it allows for many combinations of ingredients for its preparation, it generally includes Russian salad, Mallorcan fried fish, Roman-style squid, and appetizers. If what you are looking for is to taste the Mallorcan version of tapas, this is without a doubt the best option.
Origin of the Mallorcan variat
The Mallorcan variat has its origins from the 1950s, years in which the island was beginning to fill up with tourists. At that time, it was very common to have strong aperitifs like palo con sifon, aniseed, or agua con cazalla as an aperitif, and therefore, including a solid accompaniment was necessary, especially for people unused to that pace.
Although some claim that variat was already consumed before, it was at that time that, in response to the demand from tourists to try tapas typical of the island, the bars of yesteryear began to serve a small sample of each of the dishes they had prepared for lunch in a single clay pot (greixonera) as a tasting.
Over the years this has been changing and today we could even say that Variat is a typical dish of the Mallorcan snack, although it is also very common to eat it during the berenar (the time slot between breakfast and lunch). In fact, many people no longer have any qualms about eating it at any time and even replacing it with their main meal. Over time, it has simply become the ideal dish for Try a variety of tapas in Mallorca at any time of the day.
According to the Última Hora portal, the variat scale is given from 2018, when the Catalan government promoted gastronomic tourism at events such as the Salón de Gourmets, which focused on the variat tradition and featured renowned chefs like Miquel Calent and the photography work of Nando Esteva; and the first Mallorca Degusta Variat Exhibition.
What a good Mallorcan variat should include
Depending on the area, the bar and even the customer's decision, The ingredients for preparing a Majorcan variat usually varyBut even though there's no definitive written recipe, Russian salad, pica-pica, and frit should always be included in this traditional dish. Something similar happens with paella, which doesn't have a single recipe, but when an unusual ingredient is added to its preparation, its concept changes.
What is certain is that the variat allows for infinite combinations. We could say that the Mallorcan variat recipe is composed, in turn, of several typical recipes of Mallorcan cuisine. Anyway, as we mentioned, we could say that it contains some key ingredients.
The Russian salad is the centerpiece and brings freshness to this dish. traditional stew of Mallorcan cuisineIt's often paired with meatballs, tumbet, picapica, tongue with capers, tripe, Mallorcan fritters (in any variety), and/or garlic mushrooms. The final touch is provided by one or two fried dishes such as squid, croquettes, shrimp, or stuffed mussels. And something very important: a piece of bread (brown bread, even better) is always included.
The best 'variat' of Mallorca
Without a doubt, the variat, a hallmark of MallorcaGoing out to eat a "bon variat" (a bon variat) has been a long-standing custom throughout Mallorca for many decades. It's almost impossible to find two identical dishes, either because each establishment prepares its own version or because customers choose their own ingredients and the tapas they most crave.
He varied Mallorcan snacks and Russian salad It's one of the most traditional recipes that only includes those two ingredients. Cuttlefish or squid pica-pica is a traditional stew in Mallorcan cuisine, and like all stews, it's richer if left to rest overnight.
Since there are infinite variations of this dish, The best varieties can be found in different places on the island. and that will also depend on the ingredients that the diner likes and selects for their preparation. Groups like It is a Mallorcan variety on Facebook and accounts like @variatmallorqui On Instagram, they are used by numerous followers who share their favorite varieties (or vice versa) and serve as a reference for choosing the ideal place to go and try this dish.
One thing that can be said is that In smaller towns they usually use more traditional recipes, while more modern places with chefs offer a more contemporary version of the dish. If you're visiting the island, you can't leave without trying at least one of the Mallorcan dishes to enjoy the experience and tell your friends about it.
At Es Guix, you'll find the dishes that make up the Mallorcan variat, so you can enjoy them in large quantities and never be left wanting more. Make your reservation now to live a true Gastronomic experience in Mallorca surrounded by a natural environment and the only one located in the Sierra de Tramuntana.
