Spain from A to Z

Spanish cuisine

One of Spain’s greatest attractions is undoubtedly its cuisine. The quality and variety of our products make Spanish cuisine one of the finest in the world, and it has been declared an intangible heritage by UNESCO. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy a variety of typical tapas, Valencian paella, traditional stews, chorizo sausages and hams, and delicious desserts. Spain is characterised by a diverse regional cuisine.

occasional use of lard or bacon fat. Ingredients remain largely recognisable in the finished dish (no puréed or sweetened dishes), and herbs and spices are used sparingly. The Mediterranean diet is the basis of Spanish cuisine and is based on a balanced diet with simple preparation methods, using fresh regional ingredients and typical seasonings. Olive oil is one of the most important ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine, and Spain is the world’s leading country in olive oil production. The regions of Andalusia and Catalonia are particularly famous for their olive oil. Fruits, vegetables, legumes

Through the changing history of Spain, the local cuisine has been influenced by different cultures, in particular by the Moors and Sephardic Jews. In the Middle Ages, Spanish cuisine was enriched by the introduction of tomatoes, carrots, peppers and cocoa beans from the Americas. Spanish cuisine today includes a staggering variety of different ingredients, preparation styles and typical dishes, such as rich stews with legumes; vegetables; an abundance of meat, fish and seafood; seared foods; sautéed stew and sauce bases for casseroles, fish dishes and paella; a predominant use of olive oil for cooking, with the very

and nuts are also an important pillar of the Mediterranean diet. They are grown primarily in Navarre, La Rioja, Andalusia, Murcia, the Balearic Islands and the Valencia region. Valencia also cultivates large quantities of citrus fruits. Other integral fruit varieties are bananas from the Canary Islands, strawberries from Huelva and Aranjuez (Madrid), grapes from Vinalopó and peaches from Calanda (Aragón). Cereal products and grains such as rice also play a significant role in the Mediterranean diet, as we see with the paella from the Valencian region. Dairy products also are very popular, and