The Product

The geographic conditions in Spain, as well as its privileged climate, provide top quality meat, fish, legumes, and vegetables. Spanish gastronomy uses seasonal and local fresh produce.

The amount of fruits and vegetables produced by Spain is such that Spain is known as the orchard of Europe, to which we export a vast amount of produce. The main food market is in Madrid, and it is called Mercamadrid. This central market is the largest fruit and vegetable market in Europe and the second largest fish market in the world (after the Tokyo fish market).

All kinds of top quality products are produced in Spain under Designations of Origin. This guarantee of quality ensures that the product in question is of excellent quality, and has been produced in a well defined geographic area with distinctive characteristics.

Olive oil

Olive oil is the basic element of the Mediterranean diet. We are the leading olive oil producer in the world, and have 30 Designations of Origin for oil (most of them in Andalusia).

Wine

Spain has more than one million vineyards. It is the country with the largest vine cultivation in the world, and has almost 70 Designations of Origin for wine. The wine-growing regions that are best known internationally are Rioja and Ribera del Duero, with wines that have received many awards. But there are many other wine-growing regions, including Penedés, Utiel-Requena, Priorat, Jerez, and the areas where cava (a sparkling wine) is produced.

Ibérico ham

The ham of acorn-fed Ibérico pigs is one of the main ambassadors of Spanish gastronomy. Spain has four Denominations of Origin, which are Huelva, La Dehesa de Extremadura, Los Pedroches (Córdoba), and Guijuelo (Salamanca).

Cheese

It is hard to go anywhere in Spain and not find a local cheese. The best known varieties include: Cabrales (Asturias), Idiazábal (Basque Country), Mahón (Balearic Islands), Tetilla (Galicia), Manchego (Castile-La Mancha), and Palmero (Canary Islands).