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Tapas,
traditional desserts, mouth-watering dishes, the Mediterranean diet…
Travelling in Spain means enjoying a wide range of delights when it is time to
sit down to eat. Furthermore, some of these delicacies can be taken home with
you too: when you try Spanish ham, cheese, wine and olive oil, you will discover
that they make mouth-watering souvenirs and gifts to take back for your friends.
To
make sure you get the right thing, go for quality. In Spain, the Designation of
Origin (D.O.) seal will guarantee this. This mark ensures that the foodstuff in
question is of excellent quality, produced in a specific geographical area, with
its own unique characteristics. Designations of Origin are protected by European
Union directives, and include Spanish gastronomy's most famous products.
 A
wide variety, and delicious too
There are over 250 foods and drinks protected by this quality control system.
Getting to know them will also give you the chance to visit different regions of
Spain. There is a wide variety of products: from cheeses, vegetables, pulses and
cured meats, to drinks, sweets and spices. Nevertheless, there is one group that
stands out especially - wines. Who hasn't heard of wines from La
Rioja or cava sparkling wine? Alongside them there are
other D.O. wines of extraordinary quality that you could sample in a very
enjoyable way: by going on Spain's wine routes.
To
go with the wine there are top-quality foods such as Iberian cured ham:
some of the most famous hams are those bearing the seals of Guijuelo
(Castile-León Region), Dehesa de Extremadura
(Extremadura Region), Huelva and Trevélez
(both these last from Andalusia). As far as cheeses are
concerned there is also plenty of choice, including, Cabrales (Asturias),
Idiazábal (Basque Country), Mahón
(Balearic Islands), Tetilla (Galicia),
Manchego (Castile-La Mancha) and Palmero
(Canary Islands).
For
those with a sweet tooth, there are products like honey from Granada
or "turrón" (almond sweet) from Jijona (Region
of Valencia). Salads take on a whole new meaning with an olive
oil from regions like Jaén or Cordoba,
and vinegar from Huelva or Jerez.
If you like paella and rice dishes, then try
one from Albufera, Valencia, seasoned with saffron
from La Mancha - the results are spectacular.
There
is a wide, varied list of Spanish products with the Designation of Origin seal.
Choose your destination and discover the quality of its produce: these will
become the best souvenirs of your holiday in Spain.
More
information:
Ministry
of Agriculture and Food. High Quality Foodstuffs
(in Spanish only)
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Properties in Spain 
airports:
