A guide to the most interesting Spanish food facts you probably didn’t know.
Spain is a beautiful country that needs to be visited at least once in a lifetime although you will want to come back for sure!
Indeed, as soon as you get on the flight back home, I am sure you will be planning your next trip here.
What is Spain known for is its beautiful landscapes and beaches, the kindness of its citizens, and its stunning cuisine.
In this post, the attention is focused on interesting Spanish food facts that will surprise you.
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Pssst…??!! You can’t get enough Spanish Recipes posts? Have a look at my other posts:
- Best Traditional Spanish Salads
- Delightful Spanish Christmas Food Ideas
- Best Spanish Recipes for Each Season
20 Spanish Food Facts
1. Spanish people eat churros for breakfast
Typical Spanish breakfast foods, especially on cold winter days is churros con chocolate. Most Spaniards enjoy dipping homemade churros in tasty and thick hot chocolate.
However, as the churros recipe is quite complex, the vast majority of locals just eat them on the weekend or at a restaurant.
These sweet churros are especially loved by children, who also can have them as an early-afternoon snack. This is really a well-known food facts about Spain!
2. 13% of the world’s vineyards are grown in Spain
One of the most interesting Spanish food facts is Spain’s wine industry which plays a fundamental role in the country’s economy.
Although Spain is not one of the biggest countries in the world, its weather makes it ideal for grape cultivation and harvest.
As a result, 13% of the world’s vineyards grow in Spain, and this country is also among the ten largest producers and consumers of wine in the world.
3. Spanish omelette is known as tortilla de patatas
One of the most famous and traditional dishes of the region is the Spanish omelet.
However, if you are visiting our country, you will probably find it on some menus such as Tortilla de patatas, which is the translation of ‘Spanish omelet’.
There are two kinds of Spaniards: those who eat the tortilla de patatas with onion and those who do not want to add it to the mixture.
What we know for sure is that they just agree to disagree about which kind of tortilla de patatas is better but you can know for sure both of them are delicious.
4. Spain produces around 75% of the world’s saffron
One of the most surprising Spanish food facts is that 75% of the saffron exported comes from our country and as you well know, saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world.
Saffron is worldwide known as the ‘red gold’ because one kilogram of it can cost 2000€! To preserve its properties, Saffron must be delicately cultivated, collected, and handled.
It seems that Spain’s climatic conditions are perfect for making the most of this plant and giving dishes like Paella a unique flavor.
5. Spain is a leading proponent of the Mediterranean diet
Some Spanish food facts may seem obvious, but not everyone is aware that most regions of Spain, particularly the southern region, keep a Mediterranean diet.
The Mediterranean diet is based on plant-based foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices.
Depending on the part you visit in Spain, you will find a large variety of dishes that respect the values of the Mediterranean diet.
6. One of Spain’s most well-known foods is Paella
Another known facts about Spain food is that Spanish paella is one of the most iconic dishes of our gastronomy.
But what is paella and why is it so well-known? Authentic Paella is served in a large pan called paellera and there are 3 main types of paella – Valencian, seafood, and mixed.
What these paellas have in common is that their main ingredient is rice, cooked with saffron and some meat or fish broth.
Some say that in order to prepare a good paella, you need to ensure the quality of the vegetables you use and, of course, the pan in which you make it.
7. Spain imported tobacco, tomatoes, and cocoa to Europe
There are several Spanish food facts that you might not know, and one of them is that Spain was one of the major importers of tobacco, tomatoes, and cocoa into Europe.
It may seem surprising to you but you shouldn’t forget that in the past, several south American areas were conquered by them.
That’s why one of the things that Spain is known for is the provision of these products to Europe.
8. The biggest olive oil producer in the world is Spain
One of the most precious Spanish products is olive oil. It is known as the ‘liquid Gold’, and there is another interesting Spanish food fact related to it.
The most popular foods in Spain are seasoned with olive oil, so it is one of the most consumed ingredients of Spanish cuisine.
However, you may not know that Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world, which is one of the best Spanish food facts yet.
La Paella: Deliciously Authentic Rice Dishes from Spain’s Mediterranean CoastCarbon Steel Paella PanPaella Seasoning from SpainSpanish AioliOrganic Extra Virgin Olive OilForum – Spanish Cabranet Sauvignon Red Wine Vinegar – 500 mL
9. Fried fish is said to have been invented by the people of Cádiz, Spain
If you visit Andalucía, you will see that most bars and restaurants have fried fish or Fritra de Pescada on their menus.
Their proximity to the sea and the great skills of their sailors make it the best place to order fish dishes while dining out.
As Spanish food facts go, Cadiz is considered the region where fried fish was originally cooked for the first time.
Moreover, it seems that its rising popularity among locals made it famous all around Andalucía. As a result, you will be able to eat fried fish almost anywhere in the south of Spain.
10. Spanish desserts are often creamy and made with milk
When it comes to sweeter Spain facts about food, you should know that the Arabic culinary influence made some of their popular desserts very precious.
In fact, the best Spanish desserts are also cooked in Morocco. Some of the best Hispanic desserts are usually made with milk.
One of the best examples is the delicious arroz con leche, made by boiling rice in milk and seasoning it with sugar and cinnamon.
Apart from rice pudding, you might also want to try leche frita (fried milk), the Spanish flan which can be found in almost every restaurant in Spain.
11. Spain ranks second in terms of the number of bars per resident
Spanish people are known for their friendly and outgoing nature, and if you visit Spain, you will see that most of the bars are always food with cheerfulness.
So going to a Spanish bar is a perfect way to make friends, eat some delicious Spanish tapas, and dive deeper into the Spanish bar culture.
Heading to the bar is just part of the locals’ lifestyle, and that’s the reason why one of the facts about Spanish food is the second country in the world that has more bars per inhabitant than hospital beds.
12. The famous Sherry wine is produced solely in the wine-growing region of Jerez, Andalucia
In addition to the famous Spanish dishes, there are also several popular wines in this region that you probably know.
Does it ring a bell the Sherry wine? One of the things that some ignore about it is that in order to truly be a Sherry wine, it has to grow in Jerez, which is a region of Andalucía.
If a wine is similar to it but was not harvested in Jerez, it won’t get the denomination of Sherry wine.
Apart from Sherry wine, Sherry vinegar is one of the most used Spanish ingredients that gives any dish a unique flavor.
13. Currently, Spain’s restaurants have over 228 Michelin stars
Fun facts about Spain food that can’t be denied: Spanish cuisine is renowned worldwide, and even though you can find its dishes in many restaurants all around, there’s no place like Spain for an authentic dish.
Following the publication of the new 2022 Michelin ratings, Spain now has 228 restaurants with Michelin stars, for a total of 261 stars.
The simple explanation would be that Spain has a diverse range of climates, landscapes, and environments that promote the cultivation of high-quality local produce.
14. In Spain, there are various types of ham
One of the most popular food in Spain is ham or jamon. You probably have heard about the jamón serrano, which is a dried ham and of the best items in Spanish cuisine.
Professional butchers dry ham and preserve it with salt for a long time to obtain it. There are two main types of ham: Serrano and Iberico ham.
The difference between the two hams is the pig breed. Serrano is made from the Landrace breed of white pig, and the latter from Iberico pigs.
15. Chorizo is a well-known Spanish pork sausage
What is chorizo you might ask? Well, chorizo is one of the best and most well-known pork sausages from Spain.
Chorizo can be eaten with toast or it may be included in some recipes in order to make the most of its flavor.
Many Spanish recipes contain chorizo and you can even find a wide variety of chorizo in supermarkets.
Whether it’s on its own, like the chorizo cooked in cider, chorizo with rice, or chorizo soup, the Spanish don’t shy away from using chorizo.
16. Tapas originated as small bites meant to cover drinks, protecting them from dust or insects.
One of our favorite facts about food in Spain is the story behind tapas!
Originally, tapas dishes from Spain were simple, small bites used to cover drinks, protecting them from dust or insects—a practical snack bar owners serve on small plates or as slices of bread right over the glass.
But over time, these small bites transformed into a beloved Spanish tradition that’s all about sharing and savoring food with friends.
Now, tapas are as essential to Spanish dining culture as they are delicious, with endless varieties from classic patatas bravas and albondigas to gourmet creations that push culinary boundaries.
17. With over 8,000 km of coastline, Spain has a deep-rooted seafood culture.
When it comes to seafood, Spain is truly in its element! With more than 8,000 kilometers of stunning coastline, it’s no wonder that seafood plays a starring role in Spanish cuisine.
From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, each region has its prized specialties, creating a vibrant seafood culture that spans the entire country.
Our personal favorites include paella de mariscos, a seafood paella loaded with shrimp, mussels, and squid, and pulpo a la gallega, a Galician-style octopus dish sprinkled with paprika, olive oil, and sea salt.
Every dish brings out the taste of the sea, and what we love most is how Spanish seafood celebrates local ingredients and time-honored techniques. This is one of the best fun facts about Spanish food.
18. Spain’s jamón ibérico is often aged for years and highly valued worldwide.
Another interesting Spain food facts is about jamón ibérico, a Spanish delicacy you simply have to try.
This incredible cured ham comes from black Iberian pigs, a unique breed found mainly in southwestern Spain, known for their rich, marbled meat.
What makes jamón ibérico so special is the way it’s produced; the best quality hams are cured for years, sometimes up to four years, allowing flavors to deepen and develop a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
We remember my first taste of this prized ham—it was a slice of heaven, nutty and savory with a delicate sweetness from the pigs’ acorn-rich diet. No wonder it’s highly valued around the world!
19. Gazpacho, a tomato-based soup, is ideal for cooling down in Spain’s hot summers.
You may think soup is for warming up, but this Spain food culture facts will shock you. Gazpacho is a true summertime lifesaver here in Spain!
This chilled, refreshing soup hails from Andalusia in the south, where the summers are scorchingly hot, and locals have perfected this simple yet delicious way to cool down.
Made with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, garlic, and a splash of olive oil and vinegar, gazpacho is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients blended into a smooth, icy-cold soup that’s light yet full of flavor.
We love how this dish captures the essence of Spanish summers—it’s vibrant, refreshing, and made to enjoy in the heat.
There are also many variations on making a gazpacho; be it a classic gazpacho, gazpacho with avocado, or a gazpacho shot.
20. Spanish cuisine is highly regional, with dishes unique to each area.
One of the facts about Spanish cuisine I absolutely love about Spanish food is its incredible regional diversity!
Each area of Spain has its own culinary specialties and distinct flavors that reflect the local culture, ingredients, and traditions.
For instance, in the Basque Country, you’ll find pintxos, delightful small bites served on skewers or pieces of bread, and perfect for sharing with friends over a drink.
Head over to Asturias, and you’ll encounter fabada asturiana, a rich, comforting bean stew made with chorizo, morcilla (Spanish blood sausage), and pork shoulder—a hearty dish perfect for cool northern days.
From the seafood-rich dishes of Galicia to the rice dishes of Valencia, every region offers something unique.
La Paella: Deliciously Authentic Rice Dishes from Spain’s Mediterranean CoastCarbon Steel Paella PanPaella Seasoning from SpainSpanish AioliOrganic Extra Virgin Olive OilForum – Spanish Cabranet Sauvignon Red Wine Vinegar – 500 mL
Did you know about these Spanish Food Facts?
Spain is indeed a country that contributes in many ways to the world’s economy, culture, and gastronomy.
Not taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019 the number of people that visited Spain was a staggering 83.7 million.
These facts about Spain’s food influence a lot of the way people think about Spain, especially since Spanish cuisine is so beloved by many people all around the world.
The more you read about Spanish food facts, the more you want to book a plane and enjoy their delicious food, desserts, and, of course, TAPAS!
Guided Food Tours in Southern Spain
When you are visiting Southern Spain you can rest assured that you’ll have the best culinary experience you’ve ever had and hopefully these Spanish food facts will help you.
In Malaga, you will find some of the best places for Paella but you can take a guided tour as well. – Check your guided food tours here.
Seville doesn’t fall behind, since it has some of the best tapas restaurants where you can see for yourself how Spaniards enjoy spending their time. – Check out here the guided food tours.
Going on a trip to Granada? Take a guided food tour and make the best out of Spanish gastronomy. – Get your guided tour here.
Short FAQ about Spanish Food Facts
What are traditional Spanish foods?
Spain’s food culture is represented by some of the most popular food in Spain, such as Tortilla de Patatas, Paella, and Gazpacho.
Other traditional Spanish foods are tapas (Spanish appetizers) such as cold cuts, gambas al pil pil, or Albondigas.
What is a typical Spanish dinner?
A typical Spanish dinner is usually light because of their Mediterranean diet.
Some typical foods in Spain to have as dinner may be a tuna salad in summer or soup in winter.
What is Spain’s main food?
Spain’s main food is something that will depend on the region you visit.
For example, in Andalucia, it may be fried fish whereas in Valencia it will be paella.
What are facts about Spanish traditional food?
A few facts about Spanish foods are that it is known for its regional diversity, with iconic dishes like paella from Valencia, gazpacho from Andalusia, and tapas culture emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes.
What are traditionial dishes from Spain?
Traditional Spanish dishes include paella, tortilla española, gazpacho, jamón ibérico, pulpo a la gallega, and churros, each showcasing regional flavors and ingredients.
Why is Spain gastronomy famous?
Spain’s gastronomy is famous for its rich regional diversity, emphasis on fresh and high-quality ingredients, vibrant flavors, and social dining culture, exemplified by tapas, seafood, and unique culinary techniques.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
Let’s dive in and explore Southern Spain’s outdoors, food and culture con pasión!