Our friend Pepe Ruíz provides our Calasparra paella rice, and we always enjoy visiting the tiny town of Calasparra to visit with him.&nbsp; The rice grown in fresh water, high in the mountains along the Mundo and Segura rivers.&nbsp; Why grow rice in the mountains?&nbsp; One story is that centuries ago malaria affected the low lands near Valencia, and as an accident of history, they blamed the disease on the location of the rice fields. When they moved the rice crop to the mountains of Calasparra, the mosquitoes were left behind.&nbsp; In the new climate the grains of rice took longer to mature, and so are able to absorb an amazing amount of rich broth – the secret of good paella!&nbsp; Calasparra rice is the only DOP protected rice growing region in Spain, and it is still artisan grown with no insecticides or herbicides.<a href="/food/rice-and-pasta">See our artisan paella rice ►</a>

Pepe Ruíz - Rice Farmer

At the top of a mountain in western Spain sits the magical medieval village of La Alberca, located in the heart of the Sierra de Francia National Park. It just so happens that this is the perfect place to dry and age jamón, and in 1956, Fermín Martín founded Jamones y Embutidos Fermín to produce artisan Ibérico hams and sausages.

Today Martín’s children, Santiago and Francisca, run the company following the same artisan, all natural methods as their father. With over 100 employees, Fermín is the lifeblood of this small village. In 2007, Fermín was the first Ibérico ham maker allowed in the U.S., and La Tienda was proud to sell their very first Jamón Ibérico in America.

	<a href="/fermin/">See our Fermín meats ►</a>

Santiago Martín - Jamones Fermín Owner

In the beautiful Basque fishing village of Ondarroa, the Ortiz family founded Conservas Ortiz in 1891 to produce exceptional canned seafood. Now in its fifth generation, this family owned cannery is famed for its line caught Bonito del Norte tuna. Each tuna is sustainably harvested with hook and pole, and each can is packed by hand, preserving the delicate, tender tuna for you to enjoy. Discover the finest canned tuna in the world.

	<a href="/ortiz/">See our Ortiz seafood ►</a>

The Ortiz Family - Canned Seafood Maker

Our friend Jaime Borrás is an enthusiastic owner of Catunambú, a coffee roasting company in Sevilla. He is an energetic man whom we first met in the nearby Parador in Carmona, where he regaled us with an immense amount of information about his favorite topic: coffee. A few days later, we met Jaime among piles of cloth and burlap bags of coffee beans in the warehouse of Catunambú, a famous old firm from Sevilla, founded in 1897. It was an amazing experience to stroll around the warehouse with Jaime - the aroma was unbelievable. We saw bags from up to 20 different countries, all ingredients in a bold yet smooth blend that is the signature flavor of Catunambú - the coffee of Andalucía!<a href="/food/pantry-staples/beverages">See our Spanish coffees ►</a>

Jaime Borrás - Coffee Roaster

Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day - Give a Gourmet Gift from Spain This Valentine's Day!

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Mediterranean Diet - Healthy Foods from Spain - Discover delicious foods that are good for you, too!

Light & Flavorful Conservas - Enjoy healthy, simply prepared tinned seafood from Spain!

We're All About Familia - Our family-run company supports Spains's amazing artisans.

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Bomba Paella Rice by Peregrino

La Tienda's Jonathan Harris discusses the qualities of paella rice from Calasparra Spain

Valentine's Day Gifts

Save on Spanish Favorites

Healthy Foods from Spain

Light & Flavorful Conservas

We're All About Familia

Valentine's Day Gifts

Save on Spanish Favorites

Healthy Foods from Spain

Light & Flavorful Conservas

We're All About Familia

Best Sellers ►

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Try Our Best Paella

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Try Our Best Paella

Get Free Paella Recipe eBook!