284- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
Where do the Spanish buy their food?
Huge supermarkets have sprung up across Spain in
much the same way as they have all over Europe.
While their market share increases slowly but surely,
small specialist shops do continue to thrive, particularly
those selling fish, fruit and vegetables and charcuterie.
For fresh chickens and eggs head for apollería, for
bread go to thepanaderíaand for cakes and biscuits,
thepastelería. Most towns and villages have a weekly
market where the quality remains high and the prices
affordable. Vegetables such as asparagus, considered
a ‘luxury’ food elsewhere in Europe, can be bought
for a song.The Mercado Central,
a 75-year-old iron and
glass affair in Valencia
complete with dome,
is one of Europe’s most
picturesque markets.
La Boquería, a market
off La Rambla, is a
Barcelonan institution.
If you can’t find the
foodstuff you’re looking
for here, you probably
won’t find it anywhere.
(Both markets claim to
be the biggest and best
in Spain!)
Market leaders