Let’s take a look at my shopping basket and explore the best local food souvenirs from Spain. It’s hard to argue that Spain is a true paradise for food lovers. Why not bring home an authentic taste of Spain while supporting small local businesses?

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Local Food Souvenirs from Spain

Spain for Foodies

Spain is a paradise for food lovers, whether you’re exploring the unique regional cuisines or shopping for delicacies to bring home. Those of you who’ve been following my Spain Foodies blog series or have caught a glimpse of my IG stories at least once might have already noticed that trying local delicacies is an essential part of my Spanish travels. Whether it’s traditional village dishes, almuerzo in Valencia, a creative artichoke menu, or Spanish Gastronomic Weeks – I’m usually sold right from the start.

My love for Spanish food was a major factor in my decision to leave my old life behind and move to Spain. I knew that no matter what challenges I would face as an expat, I would enjoy the journey and turn my Spain bucket list into a reality.

Where to shop Spanish food souvenirs

As a student in Spain, I couldn’t always afford the eco-supermarkets and upscale restaurants. However, every time I had the chance to shop for groceries at the nearby herbolario or local farmers’ market, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m aware that many people in Spain claim they can’t really tell the difference between local organic products and the budget alternatives from mass markets. They say that all groceries in Spain taste good enough. Well, I often wish I were one of them – life would be so much easier! Of course, your taste in food depends a lot on where you come from. I remember eating in Iceland and the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the supermarkets. On the other hand, after spending Sundays in the Spanish countryside and shopping at local eco-stores, I feel that buying eco-friendly food souvenirs from Spain is the best health investment.

So, I thought it would be great to share some of my favorite things to buy in Spain, especially since most of them make for perfect food souvenirs. And don’t forget the social impact of your purchases! Instead of supporting multinational companies, you’re helping small local businesses that produce high-quality goods. It’s common in Spain to find local delicacies sold at artisan and medieval fairs. But I honestly wish that these local food producers would receive more attention than they currently do.

Local food souvenirs from Spain online

A great place to shop local Spanish wine is 15 Bodegas. Lots of healthy Spanish snacks can be found via Naturitas. In addition, many Spanish food souvenirs are available on Amazon.es and can be delivered to your hotel within a day or two, like Turrones 1880, El Almendro, Doña Jimena, El Toro, Crusoe Treasure Underwater Winery, Camino de Cabras, Enrique Rech Gourmet, Montelueño, Natur Green, El Oro de la Tierra, Palacio de los Olivos, Javioliva, Rincón de la Subbética, Malvasia, The Basque Gourmet, La Obrera, Miel Camino de Santiago, Karkom, Exner, Marcos Tonda, Chocolates Valor, Gourmet Gallego, Turrones Fabian, La Explanada Gourmet, Santa Teresa, Los Picones Gourmet, Olmeda Orígenes, Econatura Gourmet, Espinaler, and Deliex.

Top Local Food Souvenirs from Spain

Olive oil

At least 1.5 million tonnes of olive oil are produced annually in Spain, making it one of the country’s most iconic food souvenirs. While olive oil is a well-known gift to bring back from Spain, there are many local Spanish brands you won’t find in regular supermarkets, such as Olis Cuquello.

Do you remember my hikes in Castellon and the Millenary Olive Trees route? Well, you can buy olive oil made from trees in the region that have been around for over 2,000 years, dating back to Roman times. When purchasing olive oil, always opt for extra virgin olive oil stored in dark glass bottles, as this preserves its beneficial properties and original taste.

If you have some extra space and plan to stock up on olive oil for a while, keep in mind that local Spanish companies often sell it in 5-liter plastic bottles. While I’m not personally a fan of the plastic packaging, it’s quite common. In my post about Spanish Sundays, I shared that my father-in-law owns many olive trees and typically takes the harvest to the local cooperativa agrícola, where the olives are pressed to make oil. At home, I use eco-friendly oil from both plastic and glass bottles, although I certainly prefer the glass ones.

olive oil local herbolario
Olis Cuquello olive oil
big olive oil spain
Olive oil in Castellon

Spanish Olives with spices

Another must-buy from the typical food souvenirs in Spain is marinated olives with spices. These are an essential part of the traditional almuerzo in Valencia and are often served as a snack in bars and restaurants. My recent favorite is L’Olivateria Olivas Indicas, made by a small local company in Alicante.

olives spain delicious

Pate

While pâté in Spain is typically a paste made from meat (pork, poultry), vegetables, herbs, and spices, I always enjoy the vegetarian options. My current favorite is pâté de aceitunas verdes (green olive paste) from Pla de L’Arc.

food souvenirs from spain pate
Pate

Jamon and Chorizo

Jamon is the traditional dry-cured ham and one of the most iconic food items in Spanish cuisine. You can find it on food shelves under “jamon serrano” and “jamon iberico“. The latter is more expensive, as it is made from Iberian-breed pigs. The most famous jamon in Spain comes from regions like Extremadura, Salamanca, and Teruel, although Andalusia also boasts several well-known local brands. In addition, Spain now offers alternatives for vegans and vegetarians, often made from ingredients like wheat, rice, or lentils, providing plant-based options that mimic the texture and flavor of traditional jamon. Another popular option to consider as a food souvenir from Spain is chorizo. This meat sausage comes in various sizes and is typically made with pork meat and fat, seasoned with paprika. Both jamon and chorizo trace their origins back to ancient times when Spaniards would cure meat to preserve it for the entire year.

Spanish Honey

Every time I get a chance to explore the beautiful villages of Castellon, like Vilafamés, I make sure to buy a few jars of Miel de Vilafamés honey. While the Valencian Community is famous for its honey, there are several other honey-producing regions in Spain, including Catalonia (where I enjoy Las Dehesas honey), Extremadura, Andalucía, Castile and León, and Galicia. Because of the diverse landscapes and flora, the same type of honey can taste different depending on the region. I even remember purchasing some homemade jars from a local woman on the road to the Pyrenees. Another delicious alternative to honey could be a Spanish jam with an unusual flavor, such as red wine jam or orange blossom jam from Guimaraña.

faforite spanish foods honey

Chocolate

Unlike Switzerland, Spain is not globally famous for its chocolates. However, one of Spain’s most colorful villages, Villajoyosa, is often referred to as the “Spanish chocolate village.” This charming village is home to three Spanish chocolate factories that have been in operation since the 18th century: Chocolates Valor, Chocolates Clavileño, and Chocolates Pérez. The first two even offer guided tours, showcasing their chocolate-making process.

Recently, my personal favorite has been Chocolada brand, which is gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, and handmade.

foodies in spain chocolate

Horchata

There’s no trip to Valencia without tasting the famous local drink, horchata (or orxata in Valencian). This plant-based beverage is made from soaked, ground, and sweetened tiger nuts. While horchata is one of the most traditional delicacies of Valencia, you can find it throughout Spain. However, if you get the chance to try an authentic version, head to Horchatería Daniel in Alboraya (an easy day trip from Valencia), widely regarded as the best place to experience the original taste.

If you want to make it at home, you can search for “chufa molida” (ground tiger nuts), which is the key ingredient for making horchata. While it’s available in supermarkets around Valencia, it might be harder to find elsewhere in Spain. One possible option is the Herbolario Navarro chain, where they may stock it. You can also find tutorials on YouTube to guide you in preparing horchata from home.

spain food gifts horchata
Horchateria Daniel in Alboraya

Turron and Spanish Sweets

Turrón is undoubtedly one of the most iconic food souvenirs from Spain. In my previous post about Spanish flower blossoms, we highlighted the abundance of almond trees across the country, as Spain is the second-largest producer of almonds in the world. It’s no surprise that almonds are a key ingredient in Spain’s national cuisine. Turrón is a traditional nougat-like sweet, typically enjoyed during the Christmas holidays. While you can find the classic varieties year-round, during the winter holiday season, turrón truly reaches another level. Supermarkets overflow with an endless array of brands and flavors, making it a holiday staple in Spanish homes. Turrón is usually made with almonds, honey, sugar, and egg whites, and it’s traditionally served in rectangular slabs. Its origins can be traced back to the Islamic period in Spain, and some even believe it was influenced by ancient Greek or Roman recipes. The town of Jijona in Alicante is particularly famous for producing Turrón de Jijona, a local specialty that has been made for over five centuries.

My current favorite turrón is from a lesser-known brand Agut de Benlloch. While there are many sugar-free alternatives available, I still prefer the sugared versions. This is mainly because the sweeteners used in sugar-free options are often not stevia or erythritol, but fructose or maltitol, which I prefer to avoid. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss polvorones and mantecados – delicious crumbly Spanish shortbreads, also popular over Christmas. Additionally, fried Spanish almonds with spices (like those from DArmela in the photo) make for one of the coolest food souvenirs from Spain, especially for those looking to avoid the sugar overload of turrón.

gift ideas spain turron
Turron
food gifts from Spain almonds

Spanish Wine

Spain is home to 70 protected wine regions, with Rioja being the most famous worldwide. On most of my road trips through northern Spain, I make it a point to visit local bodegas (wine cellars). To my surprise, this plan works well even when traveling with kids: during my last trip through Navarra, we visited Bodegas Franco Españolas (following in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway).

However, Spain’s wine scene extends far beyond La Rioja. You can explore the sherries of Andalusia or the cava in Catalonia. Some of my personal favorite Spanish wines include Muga and Habla for reds, and Marques de Riscal and Mar de Frades for whites. If you’re a wine enthusiast, you can always stop by a local gourmet shop and hunt for lesser-known bottles from specific Spanish regions. Don’t forget to try some traditional Spanish liquors and beers as well! The most unique liquors to bring home from Spain include rice liquor, turrón, and horchata.

eco foods spain liquors
Unusual Spanish liquors

Spanish Cheese

While Spain is globally known for its Manchego cheese, almost every province across the country has its famous type of cheese. You´ll need an entire life to try it all. I´ll try to name a few though. For Extremadura it´s Torta de Casar, la Serena, Ibores, for Galicia – Queso de Tetilla, Queso de Cebreiro, Arzua-Ulloa, for AsturiasCabrales, Bellos, Afuega´l pitu del Aramo, in Cantabria – Liebana, Queso de Cantabria, in Basque CountryIdiazabal, in Navarra – Roncal, in Zamora – Queso Zamorano, for MurciaQueso de Murcia, for CataloniaLa Garrotxa/ pell Florida, for Valencia (Xativa) – Servilleta/tovallo, for the Balearic islands – Mahon-Menorca, and the Canary IslandsMajorero.

All these are famous both nationally and internationally. Although the list of Spanish cheeses does not end here. Personally, I love sheep and goat cheese and my local-production favorites are truffle goat cheese from Morella, and sheep cheese Brull D´Ovella.

what to buy in spain cheese

Spices in Spain

One of the easiest food souvenirs to carry from Spain is local spices. Two of the most essential for traditional Spanish cuisine are smoked paprika (pimentón) and saffron (azafrán). The paprika from the small town of La Vera is considered the best (known as pimentón de La Vera). Saffron, which is the most expensive spice in the world, is also a key ingredient in authentic Spanish paella.

spanish delicatessen wine
Wines in local eco store of Castellon Province ( I haven´t heard any of these names before)

More food-related gifts from Spain

If bringing food souvenirs from Spain back home might cause you problems at customs, you can always opt for some food-related gifts:

Read more about my foodie experiences in Spain:

  • Best Local Food Experiences in Spain Not To Miss (read it)
  • Top Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
  • Tapas & Flamenco Tour in Barcelona (read it)
  • Delicious Breakfast in Madrid: My Favorite Spots & Avocado Toasts (read it)
  • My Amazing Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid (read it)
  • Family, Countryside, and Cooking The Traditional Paella (read it)
  • Visiting Basque Cider House near San Sebastian (read it)
  • Breakfast in Valencia: Cute Cafes You Will Love (read it)
  • Spanish Eating Habits: Almuerzo in Valencia (read it)
  • Traditional Spanish Food in Local Villages: Part 1 (read it)
  • An Amazing Artichoke Tasting Menu in Benicarlo (read it)
  • Gastronomic Weeks in Spain: A Hazelnut Menu (read it)

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