Son Mut Nou in Mallorca: An Ark for the Fig
On the estate of Monserrat Pons in Llucmajor, it’s not just fruit that grows – the global heritage of the fig is preserved and celebrated here. A visit to the world’s most diverse fig tree collection.
A Botanical World Tour in the Balearics
A walk through the meticulously arranged rows of Son Mut Nou is like a journey through time and across continents. Over 2,600 trees grow here, representing an almost unbelievable variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. In one spot, descendants of the seven biblical fig trees thrive, with cuttings that Pons personally tracked down in the Levant region. Right next to them, hundreds of varieties from the Balearic Islands and all over Europe stretch out.
Every tree tells a story. “You see, this is the fig tree of the poet Antonio Machado,” Pons explains to a visitor, skillfully splitting a ripe fruit. Another tree has an even longer journey behind it: “This one comes from your home country,” he says to a guest from South America. “My sister-in-law, a nun, brought me the cuttings from Moche in northern Peru.”
More Than Agriculture: A Center for Knowledge and Culture
Monserrat Pons is well aware of the profound significance of his life’s work. Son Mut Nou is far more than just an agricultural plot; it is a vibrant hub of knowledge and inspiration. Botanists make a pilgrimage here to study the immense biodiversity. Chefs from the Slow Food movement come to rediscover forgotten local varieties to feature on their menus. Artists like Mónica Fuster find inspiration in this Mediterranean pantheon for works that address the loss of biodiversity.
Pons also regularly hosts groups whose interests go beyond the culinary. Philologists listen to his talks on the symbolism of the fig tree in Catalan poetry, and educators learn about the native flora to pass this knowledge on to the next generation.
From Tree to Treat: The Art of Refinement
The fig’s journey doesn’t end at the tree. In a traditional stone hut lies the heart of the processing operation. Here, Monserrat Pons transforms the harvest into a range of delicacies. After being picked, the fruits are gently dried in a tunnel dryer, then sterilized with hot water and finished in an oven at a low temperature.
These dried figs are the basis for the famous fig bread, made exclusively with almonds from Mallorca. But fig compote, figat (a firm fig paste), fig wine, fig jelly, and even fig coffee are also created here. Every tour at Son Mut Nou culminates in a tasting where guests can sample these creations: fig bread with spicy sobrasada, fresh figs with cheese, or simply the sweet fruit on its own.
A Place of Roots and Encounters
For some visitors, a trip to Son Mut Nou is a journey to their own roots. Like for Agustin, an eighty-year-old man from northern Argentina, who came here to see again the fig varieties his ancestors had cultivated before emigrating at the beginning of the 20th century. These deep personal connections and the meeting of people with diverse passions are what energize this place and reaffirm Monserrat Pons in his tireless work. His dedication has restored the fig’s prestige in Mallorca and is gaining international recognition.
