Treats to bring back to Us from Spain?

Here's a few items:
Manchego cheese is great. Either in a round or maybe buy the one which is kept in olive oil. The olive oil Manchego is decandent but soo good.

Do you have any parents which you really don't like much. Get a set of Castenets (sp?)for their child-if they have more than one, buy a set for each child. They're cheap to buy and they'll kill the parents within ah hour. The kids love them.

Sea Salt from the salinas in the Cadiz region. I have to make trips across the border just for buying this product. It's special when you use the Jerez sherry and oil. Yummmm!

Blackduff

Food and drink: Manchego cheese, cordobesa and aragonesa olives (the latter are like salty, black raisins), packet of coffee (I love Bonka, Saimaza is also good), crema catalana (liqueur), Rijoa wine, Sherry, saffron, valor chocolate to make hot chocolate, pulpo a la gallega.

Beauty: anything La Toja (my brother loves the shaving soap), Lactovit soap lasts for ever and smells great (they also make deodorant), Lancaster deodorant cream, Menuco baby cologne (it is the baby scent of Spain. . . like Johnson's).

I can't think of anything seasonal that you will want to take back. I shy away from taking oil because it is so readily available in the US, however if you get the chance to purchase the artesano stuff, do it! buy a full round of cheese and cut it up at home.

When I was in Segovia there was a store called Coscoja (on the street between the cathedral and Alcazar) where I bought a plaster cast clock of those that appear in Dali's "The Persistence of Memory." That is still my favorite purchase ever.

These are great ideas! We are going to Catalunya and the Basque region in June to visit family. Last time we went, I brought home a poron' (like a glass bota bag). This time I will buy more as gifts.

my

Yes, thank you both. I will investigate more of the La Toja products; the black soap is fabulous aand not expensive in Spain. Supermarkets are a fabulous place for gifts in Spain....so much delectable stuff that is hard to find in the US. That salt sounds terrific! And Crema Catalana liqueur? If it is anything like the dessert of that name I may have to get some serious help after I bring that home with me!!!

Crema Catalana liqueur tastes just like the dessert, only you get buzzed! What could be better?

Nada! WOW! Is this a Catalan liqueur or is to be found all over Spain? And what about absinthe? I did buy a bottle in Barcelona a few years ago and it was pretty bad. But I went for the cheapest bottle I could find, in a store on the Ramblas. Since reading a NewYorker magazine article on this stuff last week I am keen to bring another bottle home, more for curiousity's sake than as a real drink.

Turrones (for Christmas treats) and Mazapan (AKA Marzipan) - the latter delicacy is Almond paste-based, often packaged & sold as little figurines.

Myrurgia (Sp?) la Maja soaps, powders, perfumes, etc. seem to go over well in the U.S.

What is this black soap ? (Off to Madrid myself on Friday.)

I always fill my bags with goodies whenever I go to Spain.

- Alvarez Gomez Agua de Colonia Concentrada, which is the most beautiful citrus scented eau de cologne (one of my favourite scents in the whole world).

- Vacuum packed lomo curado because I like it better than chorizo.

- Tortas de aceite - flat flaky-sugary biscuits with sesame seeds

- Saffron - because the Spanish stuff tastes best

- A bottle of Manzanilla to sip at aperitif time when I get home (accompanied by some nice Spanish green olives).

- Cheapo ceramic tiles

- local recipe books

- As many flamenco CDs as I can afford/fit in my bag as the choice is so much better and they're so much cheaper in Spain.

- stuff for flamenco dancing (shawls, fans, shoes, skirts, depending on what I need/feel like buying/can afford!)

Hi Caroline,

Magno is the soap manufactured at La Toja Spa in the coast of Pontevedra. Quite traditional, but nice.
http://tinyurl.com/eb5ca

You won´t be heading to Madrid for "La Boheme", by any chance? I have a full weekend, beginning on Friday with the opera and then birthdays and the Thyssen exhibition, but if you need anything, drop me a line at covadonga@web.de

Bye, Cova

careful taking that ham/cured pork or meat products into the U.S.
it is illegal even when vacuum packed.

we always take
-choclate trufas
-long life whipping cream
-marcona almonds
-pine nuts
-wine
-gel magno
-cebrian spot remover
-good tablecloths on sale at corte inglés

Hi Cova & thanks very much for the info. Sadly we're not going to the opera this time as we're going with 2 other couples to celebrate a friend's birthday.

V. excited though as we've just booked to see the Kirov's 'Ring' in Cardiff next winter ! And we have 'Otello' in Naples to look forward to in May.

Have a great weekend yourself - maybe we will pass each other without knowing it !

Best regards, Caroline

Lincas: What is Gel Magno..a bath gel from the same company that makes the soap? And Cebrian spot remover...it must be good if you are taking it back home with you. Thanks to everyone...making my mouth water as I type!

yes, my family likes the smell of magno GEL, same company as soap.
also, the spray spot remover is great.
i live here in spain, but take these things to family there.

Here you have a pic of the spot remover, Cebralin :

http://tinyurl.com/j8c76

Caroline, weather is being really good right now, sunny and fresh. And the shops will be open on Sunday, in case you want to bring some goodies back to Scotland. I doubt I´ll have the strenght to do any shopping, though. It is going to be a long weekend ...

Bye, Cova

ekscrunchy- Crema catalana is all over the place. the best brand is melody.

As for absinthe. . . I read the same article and have had trouble finding really good stuff. There is a place called la marsellesa (in the Raval) that serves it, but it is not good.

My host mother served us some one night, straining the sugar and everything. She had purchased it in France specifically because it is almost impossible to find the real and good stuff in Spain.

hanl- if you are looking for a great seamstress who does excellent bata de cola dresses, I can hook you up. She did mine and it looks awesome!

ttt - I'm not going to Spain but I like this thread too.

Should we look for Spanish saffron in Northern Italy?

Manchego is my favorite cheese. Do you think I could get some at Peck's? It is about $13.00 a pound where I live.

VS

NOT in jest, serious questions!

VS

ps, I expect that I will find out when we get there, but it is fun to get an idea ahead of time.

Thanks Cova and Lincas and, as always, Claire, for all the great tips!

This thread has had me thinking all day, so I hit the old journals and found my gift lists from past years. Here are the people and what they got:

Mom: small water colors from cities around Spain, handmade mantón de manila, leather purse (Segovia)

Dad: plastic flan on a plate (from El corte inglés. . . proudly displayed in our kitchen), leather wine bota and a bottle of 91 Rioja, luxury edition of Don Quijote (just for show. . . I don't recommend this one as it is insanely heavy), assorted la Toja products, white hat with black band (typical of Málaga festivals),

Brother: assorted la toja products, large dagger from Toledo, Spanish Playboy (he wanted it "for comparison"), Cuban cigars

Friends: Crema Catalana, demi-tasse cups, plastic jewelry (you can get great stuff at dollar stores), assorted fans, nightlight covers (found at a small boutique in Valencia. . . went over huge!), sweaters

Me: all manner of jewelry, handbags, hosiery (they have the best stockings at Calzedonia), antique bookends, lots of books, blank journals (they are everywhere!), music (CDs)

Food over the years: full out paella makings (La Fallera rice, saffron, colorante, paellero seasoning (it is cheating but so much better), dried ñora), Marina Alta white wine (from Alicante), chocolate valor, Mantecados, turrones, polvorones (all christmas candies), trident gum (my cousins love to try the "foreign flavors"), La Granja jams (albaricoque is out of this world!), Havana Club añejo 8 años rum (you will never want any other kind again)

So, there you have it.

Hi Cova. So glad to hear it is sunny. I was thinking to wear t shirt, jeans & wool coat during the day time - do you think I will be too hot ? Should I bring a thin raincoat instead of the wool coat ?

The weather here is different every day at present ! In the past week it's varied between -4C and =16C, with everything thrown in - sun, rain, snow, ice, fog, wind, you name it.

I think I will have to try this black soap at least.

Hi Caroline (ekscrunchy, sorry for taking over the thread ...).

Weather forecast (and it is usually accurate) for the week :
http://www.inm.es/cgi-bin/locali.cgi?ig=28001

I wouldn´t go for a wool coat, but maybe a jacket or so ... It´s a great time for leather jackets, and if you get a bit cold, Zara and Mango had some great lightweight sweaters, with plenty of stripes alla Franz Ferdinand ...

Bye, Cova

Thanks again, Claire. I did not know La Toja made men's products so will check those out, and also the jams from La Granja since I will be close to there. And a few of the other ideas. For anyone else, I will add something I brought back a few years ago: I think they are called cazuelas, round glazed terra cotta dishes that you can use on top of or in the stove. I luggged back about 6 of these in different sizes from Sevilla and am embarassed to say that I have not used them. This thread reminds me to drag them out! I do love shopping in cooking supply shops.

Thanks Cova. Looking forward to it even more now I know it will likely be hot ! (Well, hotter than it ever is here ) Cheers.

We brought back some very good, 5 Euros a bottle Rioja which you can get at almost any food market in Spain. Also love the manzanilla, an intensely flavored green apple liquor - kind of Spain's answer to Italy's lemoncello. These are also quite inexpensive and found everywhere.

Well I am confused, as I thought manzanilla was a sherry. Or chamomile tea! Thanks for the tips!

On a not-so-related subject, how do you make that sign for euro on the keyboard..I can't find one on mine!

I also know manzanilla as a type of sherry.

Alt + 0128 using the numbers on the right.

Caroline I am really poor at computer stuff. I have a Mac. I pressed down on the "alt" key on the lower left and held it down while typing 0128 on the right-hand numbers. All I got was 0128 on the screen!! Cannot understand why I cannot get this but thank you.

My friends/family have ALWAYS loved the traditional ceramica....different patterns/colors in different cities. Many cities carry a couple other's. I usually go for vases, candle holders, pitchers, serving plates or small plates to hang on the wall. For my girlfriends a spoon rest has been most popular!

Other things I love to buy in Spain are salad bowls and cutting/serving boards hand-made from olive wood. The grain is amazing! They are too pretty to hide in a cupboard. Also olive wood spoons for cooking. I am just adding to my own list or answering my own question here for someone else with the same question about what to bring back.

There's a Spanish designer called Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. Her designs are colorful and whimsical. She does things for the house, but she has a line of notebooks, papers, and pens that are perfect gifts at about 5 euros a pop. The rare occasions I've seen her things here in the US, they have been at least twice as expensive.

Manzanilla is a type of very dry sherry. That green apple liqueur might have been called manzanilla because "manzana" means "apple" and the "illa" ending means "ish" or "little." You can use it to make appletinis. It probably also helps if you need to induce vomiting. Worked for me once when I was 18.

Euro sign: I have a Spanish keyboard on my laptop, so when I use that, it is no problem. I don't know from a regular keyboard.

Thanks, Claire. In Mexico chamomile tea is also called manzanilla..or at least I think it is. I guess that word has several meanings! I think I will stick to the sherry!

love this list, thanks claire and everyone else!

Manzanilla is also a chamomile tea. It is all about context. My host dad teases me because when we were in Granada he took me out and I got slightly bombed on manzanilla and the next day when we all went to breakfast what did I order but. . . manzanilla (only that time it was tea).

ekscrunchy : sorry, maybe the alt + 0128 only works with Microsoft operating systems ?

Claire - where is this seamstress? I just bought a second hand flamenco dress for feria(20€!!) but wanted to bring it somewhere to make some changes. Not sure what city you´re speaking of though.

I love this thread My time in Spain is coming to a close and this is definitely helping me figure out what to bring home with me.

Is Havana Club better than Legendario Rum?

Manzanilla (the very dry sherry) comes from Sanlucar de Barrameda. It's often not available in 'Duty Free' shops at the airport.

Another Spanish wine you won't find at the 'Duty Free' shops is Rosal, from la Guardia, (Pontevedra, Galicia). It is the 'Top of the Line' of Albariños and it comes from a very small area in the Minho valley.

Like Kalikiana I bought a Vestido Rociero (Gypsy dress) at a Thrift shop in Huelva for one of my granddaughters. A few years later, a relative visited us in Phila. and brought matching Peineta, Castanets and shoes.

All these ideas are great! I am curious about Havana Club..is this a Cuban white rum? The Spanish wine I have read a lot about that is supposed to be one of the greats is from Vega Sicilia Unico from Ribera del Duero. A long time ago I read a story by a well-known food writer (can't remember who but it was an American) who described what her last meal on earth should be like. The two items on that menu were Iberian jam from Joselito and a bottle of a Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva. I understand this wine is very difficult to find and very expensive, though!

Oops! I meant Manzana - sorry. Manzana verde is the very tasty green apple liquor. I've been away from Spain too long!!

Here is an interesting article on Iberian ham. We are not supposed to bring it back to the US, though.

http://www.departures.com/ep/ep_0105_ham.html

Kalikiana- the seamstress is in Sevilla and she does the costumes for a lot of dancers in the area. If you are only doing a take in or repair, though, she can't take you, as she solely does creative work and repairs her own dresses. That said, in Sevilla there are numerous tailors and most if not all of them know what to do with a traje gitano. Get it done there, though, as it will be cheaper than in the US and they know the cuts.

Havana Club Rum- my favorite of favorites. It is a dark rum, sort of like watered down coffee, and it is incredibly smooth. Great with coke, but if you like shots, it is sublime.

ekscrunchy- I am not surprised about that last meal comment. If you are going to go out, do it in style and flavor.

Laclaire, I was in Seville last November taking a week of flamenco classes. Not sure when I'll be there next, but it would be good to have the details of the seamstress you mention. I have plenty of skirts but it would be lovely to have a dress for dancing...

H

Hanl- e-mail me and you have it. her number is also her home number and I don't want to post it here.

With whom did you train?

Thanks Laclaire, will email you shortly. In Seville I did a week long course at the Escuela Flamenca Juan Polvillo. Was fun but intense! Apart from that, I took classes for 3 and a half years in France, have since moved to Belgium and am looking for a class to join in September this year. In the meantime have been learning sevillanas, in their various forms!

ekscrunchy - Thank you so much for startingt his thread! I am going to Spain for the first time in May and I am a shopper! I only knew that their leather goods were supoosed to be good (and of course the famous Rioja). I love ceramics, though, and jewelry (especially silver), so I will now be on the look-out for these things. If any one wants to recommend particular places to look for these items in Sevilla, Granada or Nerja, that would be appreciated!
Thanks again for the great info, all.

Where can you buy Magno soap in Madrid? My daughter is coming home next week and said she would bring some if she could find out where to buy it. She seems to think that one of the El Corte Ingles stores would have it but they seem to have a variety of specialty stores in Madrid. Which one would carry the soap?

I have two favorites from Spain..the first is Maja soap for myself..just a WONDERFUL scent, (but the cologne and powder do not smell the same as the soap), and Agua Brava by Puig..cologne or after shave for DH...Maja can be found in the USA but is less expensive in Spain...same for Agua Brava..

Corte Ingles should have the black Magno La Toja soap; I have bought it there in the past. It should not be difficult to find in any large town or city in Spain. Same with the Myrugia products.

My daughter says the El Corte Ingles stores are specialty shops in her area, such as one is all electronics, one is all books, etc. so she doesn't know which one would have soap.

If I am remembering correctly, there is a large one near Puerta del Sol that would have it. I only know about the black soap since I buy it every time I am in Spain and it has been easy to find, if you can't get to Corte Ingles, try a local drug store or perfume store.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006MQ3B2/102-6189144-6596968?v=glance&n=y

The Corte Inglis has several buildings at Sol. They're next to each other and all of them are quite large. Basically, El Corte Inglis at Sol has everything but you just have to find which building serves your choices.

Blackduff

And here is another thing to bring home: Smoked paprika from the La Vera Valley. It is available in regular and hot (picante) and the tin that it is often sold in is so beautiful that I would buy it even if it were not filled with this terrific spice. This is true of so many canned products from Europe; I am now saving the empty cans of sardines from Brittany, tuna from Sicily and Spain, Spanish paprika, etc and hope to make some kind of display with them someday! And also, the piquillo peppers from Lodosa if that has not ben mentioned already.

Saffron.

My daughter found the soap in the pharmacy part of El Corte Ingles today - 3 bars for 1.85E. Thanks guys!!

Good job by your daughter! enjoy the soap.

Here is another food item to bring home: Membrillo, or quince paste that is often served with Manchego or other cheeses.

Hi guys. just back from Madrid last night. I also bought Magno soap at 3 bars for €1.85 at a smallish perfumery somewhere on or just east of Sol. I just went in each one we passed until I found it Not sure it's the right one, though - I think it just says 'Magno', don't remember the 'La Toja' bit ?

ekscrunchy, membrillo is widely available in the Ok - isn't it in the US ?

Oops ! UK.

OK UK Caroline! Yes, here in NYC membrillo is easy to find. I was suggesting it to people who might not know what it is or might not be able to find it at home. But I think I am getting carried away with this thread..... I could just go on and on with it, and then do it for every other place I have visited!

I am so glad you found the soap. It is the black one that comes in a black box. Please let me know what you think of it! It is named Magno soap and is made by LaToja which is a spa town in Galicia with a famous turn-of-the-(last)-century grand hotel. I think the soap is supposed to be made with healthy spa salts but I just like its' creaminess and the black color and the subtle smell. I see that it is sold here in the US by a few people but is much more expensive here.

Hi ekscrunchy. Sorry, I know what you mean - I suppose I mean membrillo is available in UK cities with good cheesemongers, but I'm sure it isn't available everywhere

I think my soap is right judging by your description & by the link showing a box. I'm going to wait to open it until we move to our new flat with its cool black bathroom (next month I hope, keep your fingers crossed for me !). Thanks for telling me & others about it.

I just adore the purse I bought in Madrid, and wish now I had bought another one while I was there. I also love the table linens I bought.

But the single item I wished I had purchased and didn't? Olives. Simple, Spanish, green olives. I became addicted to 'em. I can't find the "right" ones anywhere around here, even if the label "says" Spanish. The ones here are way, way too salty! Blah! I wish I would have brought home several jars now!

What a great thread . . .

A few relatively easy and inexpensive things, for yourself or for gifts: soaps/scents, small ceramics, fans. These pack well and have the advantage of being available at Corte Ingles on that last day when you are rushing around checking your list of people to buy gifts for.

My favorite scents are:

Magno (the black soap -- although we can get it in KC the big bottles of gel are a lot cheaper in Spain)

Alvarez Gomez (heaven! the kids A.G. is lovely too)

Puig Lavanda (we buy oodles of the soap for next to nothing and keep it in linen closets, sock drawers, gym bags, luggage, etc. - smells soooo good and will be a "scent memory" of your trip.)

Macedonia soap is also a fun gift -- looks like marbled candy.

More expensive, but with the intoxicating, amazing, and oh so Spanish smell of orange blossom is Adolfo Dominguez "Azahar." Any of the Loewe scents are great too (Aire, Essencia Femme) and are distinct from what you find in the U.S. perfume market.

Another nice gift for someone you really like, or yourself, would be Majorica pearls. Again, available at C.I. -- be sure to get your IVA refund paperwork while you're there.

I also like to browse around the paper department and pick up fun little notebooks with squares instead of lines, interesting folders of different sizes with stretchy band closures (now you can find some stuff like this at Target, but it used to be a novelty). If you read Spanish, C.I. in Sol has a great section of books on Madrid (many with lots of photos in case you don't), books of regional tourism/history, maps, etc. Yes, I'm revealing my inner geek -- I spend my final hours in Madrid in the bookstore wishing I could fit more in my suitcase.

My soap arrives from Spain tonight - oops...I mean my daughter. lol

I am going to Barcelona in June and have already made a reservation at the Avenida Palace......Has anyone ever stayed there? Also, does anyone have some wonderful restaurants to suggest??

queenbee-

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?screen_name=laclaire&fid=2

Just kidding. That thread did not work. I don't know how to paste the thread, but do a search for tapas and you will get some great barcelona restaurants. Sorry about that!

Another thread reminded me of: Espadrilles!

Somehow nobody mentioned my favorite cheese: Torta del Casar - fabulous but very expensive. On the other hand my favorite Andalucian spice(I tried to buy it in Barcelona but found none and they never even heard of it), Anejo & Perejil (Garlic and Parsley) is very inexpensive and everything (well, almost everything) tastes better with it.

I am so pleased that you mentioned Torta del Casar. I am very keen to taste it for the first time during my upcoming trip. I will be in Extremadura where I believe this cheese originates. Can you tell us anything about it..I know it is semi-soft sheep's milk but not much else. Thanks!

they probably never heard of it because you mixed up some words..
it should be "ajo y perejil".

very common.

Here is some more information about foods to bring home from Spain. This store recommends another cheese that is similar, but not the same as, Torta del Casar. I will be happy to try them both!

http://www.idealcheese.com/catalog/spain.htm

ttt for the question about what to bring back from France and Spain

Being Catalan-American I would say a "poron" is an excellent addition to any wine conniseur's collection. It is essentially a decanteur, but a little more fun. Jamon Serrano, especially "pata negra" or the black foot is something you'll have a hard time finding in the US, especially as good as it is there. Other cured pork products like "llangunisa seca", you will never find here, which is like a dry sausage, or "butifarra negra" or "butifarra blanca" which are types of sausage. Again, you will never find this in the states. The best is to go to a local butcher, in a small town, because they normally have family recipes for these sausages, which have hundreds of years of history behind them. If you have the time, go to a small town called Marça, in the Priorat region of Catalunya. There is a butcher store there, which makes the BEST "butifarra" in the land. Unfortunately Pere died a few years back, I personally knew the man, but his daughter is doing a fine job running the shop, and the recipe for the "butifarra" hasn't changed. Enjoy with some Pan Tomata, and a poron of some fine Priorat wine.

Again, I am Catalan-American, and am very proud of my culture. I have a small farm there. Any questions on the land and it's cuisine and people feel free to ask. Visca Catalunya, que viscui la pau entre totes las nacios.

ekscrunchy, a few years ago I purchased a house from a lady that was born and raised in Seville. She still has all her family there. On the exterior of her house is the most beautiful Spanish house numbers (white bordered in a beautiful blue). She left them on the house. I would think that would be a beautiful souvenior that you could use forever, well unless you moved of course.

As I was poking around a regular old supermercado in Burgos trying to fill up a backpack with stuff not available back home, I came across a chocolate bar by Lindt called "Crema Catalana." I bought eight of them for something like 1.25 euros each. I wish I had bought more, though I don't eat chocolate, because everyone who got one raved about it.

Bringing this forward to prepare for upcoming trip..

Ingmarla,

Isn't there a concern with bringing back pork/meat products described?

yea..like it is not permitted and will be confiscated if found.. i imagine you might get into a bit of trouble if you lied about having it to begin with.

i was told you can't even bring in canned meats.

I have friends who bring ham legs to the US (pretty risqué) and that is a big no no. any meats are restricted, for that matter.

I don't know about canned, though. . . I have heard rumors that you can't take them. . . not that the canned meats here are really worth taking home.

Hola

On the subject of seafood what about Boquerones (white anchovies). They look like - http://www.markys.com/caviar/customer/product.php?productid=17452&cat=658&page=1b. Great on crusty bread with the roasted piquillo peppers. And your "normal" salted anchovie (from the Bay of Biscay?).

Are you going to Madrid? What about ceramics shopping at Antigua Casa Talavera, calle Isabel la Católica 2. Metro stop: Santo Domingo. This shop is fantastic. "The first house of Spanish ceramics" has some really nice, non tourist quality ceramics. Admire the 100 year old facade.

In Toledo I visited the sword workshop and bought a lovely men's pendant done in a Moorish design. It was only about €45 (in 2005). Heaps of other jewellery for men and women.

Adios

The boquerones are a great idea! They are very pricey here in the US. I think the "bringing home meat" issue is a personal decision. Some do and get through. Some get caught. Some don't try.

I will not be in Madrid this time but in San Sebastian, but thanks for the Madrid tips.

Bringing this up for recent poster interested in what to buy..

Great thread - lots of notes to take before leaving for Spain.....Thanks ekscrunchy for thinking of this!

turrones in wooden boxes.

ttt

A delicacy: caviar.
A fish farm of Riofrío (Granada) has been able to breed the biggest population of sturgeons in captivity of the world. 400,000 units of Acipenser Nacarii swim in its waters. Species in danger of extinction whose females keep in their entrails the caviar of better quality: the beluga.
During three decades of investigation and tests this company has got to be the only one that develops its ecological production to the one hundred percent in all its products. Its offer includes, in addition to beluga, the sturgeon and the trout, fresh, frozen or smoked in heat as well as creams and pâtés made with them.
This is the only organically certified caviar in the world and contains no preservatives whatsoever, other than a salt content between 3% & 4%.
http://www.caviarderiofrio.com/index.php?language=en

Also a former trout fish farm of Yesa (Navarra) has been restructured to a sturgeon farm. The caviar from Yesa will be on sale in five years.
http://www.caviardelreyno.com/ui/caviar.aspx

bookmarking.

Thanks for this info!

Thanks for the link, revulgo!

Speaking of that luxury item, caviar from Riofrío, it's selling at tienda.com for a mere $291 for a 30 gram jar, if anyone would like to pick up a last minute Xmas gift for that loved one who has everything!

Or for those with the deepest of pockets in Madrid, you can sample this delicacy on NYE at the Ritz for just (!!) €610 (plus VAT), gala dinner, drinks, grapes and dancing included!

Is that per couple I hope or per person?

Per person! But it DOES include 12 grapes!!! And it's the same price as the menu at the Westin Palace-but they don't get the caviar de Riofrío.

Back to jamon for a minute, look at this interesting discussion on Chowhound:


http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/566547

Wow great reading!

Sadly Santa did not get it for me. :'( Maybe one of the tres Reyes will still make it.

escrunchy,
Interesting discussion. I'm, of course, in the "there's nothing like it in the world" camp, but then I don't usually buy it in the US at those exorbitant prices!

amsdon,
That's the beauty of a Spanish Christmas-it lasts for 12 days, so there's still time! (hint, hint, Mr. Don!

Now back to more treats:
Lots of folks have mentioned olive oil, and the oils from Jaén and Baena generally come to mind, along with Lleida (L'Estornell).
But Navarra is producing some spectacular ecological olive oils that really can't be beat and aren't readily available in the U.S.

We recently brought back two brands, both arbequina, which hold their own nicely in a taste test with Núñez de Prado, in fact I like them even better.

Pago de Cirsus
Abbae de Queiles

The former we bought at the chateau-winery, but the latter can be purchased in duty free shops at T1 and T4 at Barajas airport.
They're both fantastic.

Another olive related product to seek out is a jar of paté de olivas Ánima Áurea (from Jaén).
www.oliveland-products.com

Happy shopping!

Another delicacy: marron glacé from Galicia.
http://www.marronglace.net/actual/magla_english.htm

... and more: black truffle.
http://www.arotz.com/html/index_prod.htm

Perhaps a treat for the discerning man would be a Spanish Senorita...

Two great products, Revulgo!

We just brought back a huge jar of dehydrated "perrechicos" (spring wild mushrooms) from Soria for a chef friend of ours-they were a huge hit.

The restaurant "Asador El Granero" in Medinaceli sells Aroz products in their deli at the bar.

(Escrunchy, they also serve delicious roast lamb, if you're in the neighborhood some day).

And in the truffle theme, also from Soria,

Black Truffle Mousse

And from Navarra,
Goose Foie Mousse and other foie products. Navarra produces some delectable foie gras.

www.martiko.com

Excellent thread! Bookmark.

Hi ComfyShoes!
What about the "white caviar" -- eggs of snail -- ?
They are considered to be endowed with aphrodisiacal powers.
http://caviarblanco.com/

I don't know if I am in need of any aphrodisiacal powers but I am happy to try anything that tastes good

Bookmarking for my trip to Malaga in the fall. What a wonderful thread - thank you!

Out of Madrid, Sevilla, or Barcelona, which would be the place to get the best deal on some nice ceramic tiles or pottery?

Sevilla is a good place to search for pottery, tiles, and ceramics. Barcelona has the same but more expensive. Same for Madrid.

Blackduff

I agree--lots of tile shops in the Triana area of Seville. Like this one:


http://www.ceramicatriana.com/

Ok, we'll head to Triana. I remember seeing a bunch in Santa Cruz but figured that they'd be more expensive there. Thank you!

Triana is definitely the place to shop for ceramics!

I could not find the thread about Jamon Iberico, even with the new search function!

So I am posting this link here:


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/02/iberico-hams-to.html

UPDATE: La Tienda is having a good sale on Spanish food and kitchen items:


http://club.tienda.com/?DCMP=EMC-CLUB030409

Gracias amiga.

Bookmarking so I can find it when I have time to take some notes!

Thanks, scrunch. Very tempted to buy that whole left leg of the pig (Jamon Serrano)

great thread for making a shopping list!

This is great as I am leaving for Spain on Fri and discusing with friends what to bring back.

??I was under the impression you couldnt bring cheese back to the US. Is this true?

No food. I tried.

SELECTED ITEMS
Loewe is a Spanish luxury brand specialized in high quality leather goods and accessories since 1846 with stores all over the world. At calle Serrano 26, Madrid.
www.loewe.com/#
Farrutx is one of the most well-known names in the world of footwear, Farrutx originates from the Balearic island of Mallorca. Its shoe shop are renowned for producing elegant quality goods. Belts and handbags feature highly among other leather products on sale at calle Serrano 7, Madrid.
www.farrutx.com
Considered the best maker of espadrilles in Spain, this shop was founded in 1927. It has crafted espadrilles for Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, and Hermès. The small, airy boutique—still the original location, in the central Salamanca district—is lined with shelves full of the canvas shoes in every possible style—platforms, slip-ons, designs with ankle-wrap ribbons (for summer)—in a multitude of colors and patterns. At calle Claudio Coello 51, Madrid.
www.castaner.com/?id=2
Carrera y Carrera makes different handcrafted designs every season from the finest materials and gemstones. Exhibitions all over the world vouch for their artistic value. The White House Museum in Washington, the Hadley Museum in Kentucky, the Yamanashi Museum in Japan and the Kremlin Museum are some of the venues where its works have featured. At calle Serrano 76, Madrid.
www.carreraycarrera.com/
The Spanish Cape symbolizes classical fashion. Styles vary from the Paseo, a woman's simple wrap, to the Clásico, with a capelet over the shoulders and front panels that are embroidered or plain. Seseña's capes for men are popular with the King of Spain and Vogue's André Leon Talley (designer Carolina Herrera bought him one as a gift). At calle de la Cruz 23, Madrid.
www.sesena.com/ing/present.htm
Casa de Diego, Madrid's oldest fanmaker, has occupied a glorious but slightly faded building on the Puerta del Sol since 1853. There are kitschy ones painted with bullfighting scenes, flirtatious fans in black lace and wood, and ebony designs encrusted with mother-of-pearl. The staff will help narrow down the possibilities, and Arturo Llerandi, the fifth-generation owner, is usually on hand to assist with the consultation. At Puerta del Sol 12, Madrid.
www.casadediego.net/eng/home.htm
Lladró has become a household name for their fine porcelain figurines. Each figurine is hand crafted and hand painted continuing the tradition begun in 1953 by the three Lladró Brothers at their studios near Valencia. At calle Serrano 68, Madrid.
www.highporcelain.com/
The Ramírez family entered the guitar business in 1870 when José Ramírez, at age 12, went to apprentice with the renowned guitarmaker Francisco González. At 24, Ramírez struck out on his own, eventually developing the prototype, around 1882, for one of the world's first modern guitars. At calle de la Paz 8, Madrid
www.guitarrasramirez.com/english/inicioEn.html
Perfumería Álvarez Gómez is proud to be Madrid’s oldest, most prestigious perfumery. Out of all of their products, one special preparation launched by this perfumery in 1912 was so loved by consumers that it became a true success story and still enjoys great renown to this day. This cologne --an original combination of Spanish lavender, lemon, geranium, eucalyptus, and essential oils of rosemary, thyme, English lavender and bergamot-- is still prepared in its original, unaltered formula in a facility outfitted with modern installations and the latest cutting-edge technology. At calle Serrano 14, Madrid.
www.alvarezgomez.com
Natura Bissé is synonymous with glamour, which is why it is present at all major film events. During the 66th Golden Globe awards, held in the luxurious Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, the Spanish luxury cosmetics label invited those nominated for awards and celebrities to visit its luxurious Gift Suite. Founded in 1979 by Ricardo Fisas, Natura Bissé products and treatments are recommended by top dermatologists and plastic surgeons, and its customers include renowned makeup artists and celebrities. The company currently has sales outlets in the most prestigious shopping centres and spas worldwide. At Perfumería Julia, calle Ayala 20, Madrid.
http://www.naturabisse.es/en/index.php

I was TOLD by customs years ago( many many) that cured cheese was fine..
have things changed?

http://www.reidsguides.com/t_mo/t_mo_customs.html

official site

http://www.cbp.gov/

topping an interesting thread

HI Scrunchy I was so happy to "see" you here again!!! Great thread I will re-read all of it.

Buenas tardes, Ana! It IS a good thread and one that renews my longing to return to Spain! Maybe next year (???)

????HMMM?????

To update this thread since I have been back to Spain,

1. I loved the littles dish towel in Spain. I fugure I need them anyway, so why not have them remind me of my trip? They were affordable and come in the lighter nonterry cloth cotton that I prefer.
I use them at home for lots of things now.

2. I also bought the rosepetal rosaries which people loved. But I hear they are available in the states....nevertheless for the price a good at 4-5 E each, smell wonderfully of roses and thoughtful gift for some people.

3. I bought a lot of shawls and so forth but I have friends that dance. Interestingly, the el cheapo poly blend shawals from China that the gyspies sell at Plaza Espana in Sevilla for 5-6 E were the most popular here in the states. I admit I had alot of fun buying them from those gypsies ( I know I know ) made friends and they even gave me a free one....but I am a gabber..and a salesperson...I am always watchful and have my big strong DH nearby...actually I am pretty big and strong myself compared to most of these women.

The beautiful silk shawls from the better stores are pricey and will set you back some $$, but I couple of smaller gorgeous ones for about 45E and a huge silk one for 100E which I am keeping for a special occasion.

Lastly, do not immediately dismiss some of the smaller cheaper looking souvenir stores. I bought some "picos" (smaller/thinner shawals with long fringe) in one of these shops as a closeout for 3E!!! They were still selling down the street for 20E each. They just were not hot items for that store.

Hi amsdon!
Where did you get the rose petal rosaries; are they available everywhere in Spain?

Well CE I am alos from LA! The rosaries are sold in many places. I bought mine at the gift shop in the Cartuja in Granada, but then saw them in souvenir shops there too. But I like mine and the fact that they came from there. They also had them made of jazmine but the originals were rose petals. By the way, the Cartuja was my favorite chapel/monestary. You can get up close to everuthing & it is just amazing. http://granadamap.com/cartuja/index.htm

Here is another thread about them here http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/where-to-buy-rose-petal-rosaries-in-spain.cfm

Bookmarking

Violet sweets and natural candied violets at La Violeta, Plaza de Canalejas, Madrid.
http://degusto.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/la-violeta-001.jpg

topping this to hear more recommendations, especially food items...

If there are any small children in your life-shop for clothing for them. Stunning clothes are available in specialty shops.

Pat

I would like to find some saffron to bring home. I imagine it's much cheaper in Spain than in the states. but...where to buy it? does anyone know? I didn't read the entire thread so please forgive the repetition if there is any!

also, is there a site that tells you what you cannot bring back to the U.S.? does anyone know?

I didnt read the whole thread so someone may have already mentioned that you can get saffron at the Corte Ingles department store-in the grocery store downstairs.

...in Madrid.

aha! El Corte Ingles, of course!! thank you

Here is the long-lost Iberian Ham thread:


http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/iberian-ham-jamn-ibrico.cfm

and this:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/huelva-jamon-iberico.cfm

Hello

In my opinion the best treats from Spain would be
Spanish Olive oil
Spanish curred ham - Ibreico or serrano
Spanish goat cheese!

I think those are the best gourmet treats one could bring from Spain not to forget all of above mentioned are deliciousssss!!!! people travel all the way to come and taste the Ham dipped in the worlds best olive oil with a nice glass of red wine!

Lifestyle Barcelona!

Is that the custom in Barcelona--to dip Jamon Iberico in olive oil before eating? Never heard of that one before..

I am very interested in the Paella mix mentioned by LaClair in 2006. Full out paella makings - La Fallera rice, saffron, colorante, paellero seasoning, and dried ñora.

We will be in Marbella/Malaga in December, I would like to make paella for our New Year Eve dinner (we will have a full kitchen in Marriott).

Can anyone give me more of a discription? Name brand, product name, where to buy, etc. I don't speak Spanish, so I would like to show the store what I want. Thanks.

Pat

As someone who loves to cook I wanted to especially wanted to bring back some spices. In Barcelona I purchased some excellent pimenton de la vera, both agridulce and picante, from Casa Gispert. This wonderful store is in the Barri Gotic.

ekscrunchy,

I haven´t seen my catalan friends dipping ham in olive oil, they would probably think of it as a sacrilege ... Pouring some olive oil on bread to spread tomato and then eat it with ham ... yes ... but not dipping ham in oil ( I have seen some americans in Barcelona and here in Madrid asking for a bowl to put olive oil and dip bread in it, and I have found it strange ). Mind you, there is a cured meat, cecina ( think it used to be horse, but now it is mostly dried beef ) that it is served cut very thinly and then you pour a bit of oil on it, and tastes great.

BTW, if you want to buy pimentón de la Vera in any of its flavours ( sweet, sweet-hot and hot ), you can do it at one of the small shops in the Mercado de San Miguel, the one with the pasta fresca and truffles near the oyster bar. The price is pretty decent for such an upmarket place, and they carry a label with D.O., and that´s important ...

Bye, Cova

Thanks, Cova! I thought it sounded kind of crazy to dip the Iberico in oil. The whole idea of asking for oil for bread-dipping maybe have started here in the US when people somehow got the misguided idea that that was done in Italy. So now you will hear people, especially in Italian restaurants, asking for a bowl of oil for their bread rather than eat the bread dry like in Italy. Some US Italian restaurants might even put the bowl of oil on the table along with the bread. So maybe that is why Americans might ask for this in Spain..(???) (In the US we usually have butter on the table for the bread which of course is not usual in much of Italy.)

Thanks for the tip on the Pimenton...it is one of my favorite spices and I plan to bring home a few tins of all three varieties! It is quite pricey here in the US. I brought some home from La Vera a few years ago and gave it as gifts to a few friends, too.

Oh I am telling again I am sorry not to have any more rose petal rosaries. As for gift baskets now that the holidays are coming, I too use the pimenton, perhaps some olives, safforn (if they are really good friends) and even some of those custey kitchen towels made for tourists. They make great additions to the gift baskets.

I will be in Costa Del Sol (Marriott) in last two weeks of December. Any stores nearby where I can find Saffron & Black Soap. Thanks.

Any supermarket or large food store will sell saffron. You might find the black soap in a department store.

This may have been mentioned, but this is a great sherry vinegar:

http://www.lustau.es/en/lustau_43.html#43

I'm too lazy to read all the posts again but I spose you should know that saffron in Spanish is "azafra'n".

Thanks to ekscrunchy & sobster, I was able to find the items I was looking for. It is pouring rain. Now, if only the weather would clear up.

Sen`or Rani2010-Specifically, what did you finally get and where did you find it. Gracias.

I was able to find azafra'n at the grocery store next to El Corte Ingles in Puerto Banus. Sorry, but forget the name but looks like that store & El Corte Ingles have the same parent company. I was also able to find black soap there. These were huge stores.

A little tip - Ive been trying to perfect paella cooking for well over 30 years now, and Rick Stein (UK fish Chef) suggested a teaspoon of smoked ground paprika per 4 portions and it definitely adds something special.

Yes! Smoked paprika, or pimenton, always finds its way home with me. We can buy it in the US now but it is much less pricey in Spain. I buy all three styles--sweet, hot, and bittersweet.


http://www.tienda.com/food/smoked_paprika.html?CMP=KNC-Google&gclid=CJzDjqSBlKYCFUdN4AodiAedoQ




Will I be able to find the "new" olive oils from the 2010 harvest in stores in early January? I will check the dates on the bottles, but just wonder if these oils are even available yet..

After reading that we cannot bring food back into the U.S., I'm wondering if anyone could point me to a list of items ... in case there are other things.

Of course you can bring food back to the US!

You are not supposed to bring meats from Spain. No fresh fruits, either.

Food vs. meat, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits.

The way USDA phrases the question is somewhat confusing. They do ask if we are carrying "food", which is usually yes. Then they ask question if they are meat, vegetables, or fresh fruits. They always said "fine" when I said what I was bring home were cookies, chocolates, mazapans, olive oil, wine, cheese, etc.

So "food" in itself is not an automatic no. What USDA is looking for is a sub-set of "food."

The big one is meat, since very few people are going to be bringing home fresh fruits or fresh vegetables in their luggage. For one thing, they would get pretty crushed. I do bring garlic home once in a while, as the garlic in Spain, from La Mancha, is excellent.

I'm not a USDA expert, but I'll bet garlic is on the no-no list. There are dogs at O'Hare that are trained to sniff out fruits and vegetables, which apparently is a huge problem for disease transmittal (to plants, not to human beings, I think). I once had an apple left over from my in-flight stash of fruit from a Madrid market, and a dog at O'Hare alerted the agent to the contraband in my backpack.

But all the things Greg refers to are fine, I think. This past summer I was surprised to learn that although dried beans are fine, rice is prohibited. Unfortunately, I always learn these lessons the hard way.

The garlic issue is confusing, to say the least; peeled cloves are allowed, but normal dried garlic, perhaps not unless certified:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=3c3c73b2257d2d9dba5021ec59da51a8&rgn=div8&view=text&node=7:5.1.1.1.6.12.40.12&idno=7

bringing up for those bound for Spain

But this list certainly isn't for travelers, is it?

Linda do you mean not for travelers because they would have to travel with a burro to carry all these treats?

The U.S. import list ( garlic bulb and pineapple ) you posted.. Can we really take that into the states, or are those two things an IMPORTER does not need additional certificates for?

I'm not sure about the garlic, although it IS on my list.


Did I really mention pineapple? I know I had a great pineapple dessert in Barcelona, but they don't grow them in Spain, do they?

no they don't but it's on the list. maybe they do in the canaries. I just don't understand that list. that's all.

I'm so slow! I thought you meant that this THREAD was not for travelers!