A history of Paella
Understanding Spices
Your cart is empty.
SUBTOTAL
£0.00
Understanding Spices
Originating from a region called Valencia on the east coast of the country, paella is a rice dish which is internationally seen as Spain’s national dish (although the Spanish might think differently, as they’ll tell you it’s a Valencian dish!). However, it’s found in every region of Spain and there are as many versions of the dish as there are cooks.
But despite the varieties, there are five main types of paella:
Of course, no paella would be complete without paella spices and paella herbs. While these vary depending on the region and the cook, the main paella spices and paella herbs are:
The Moors were the Muslim inhabitants of Northwest Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta during the Middle Ages. In 718, they arrived in Spain via Valencia, one of the largest natural ports in the Mediterranean. They brought rice with them, and Valencia became the most important rice producing area in Spain. Interestingly, the Spanish word for rice is ‘arroz’ which is derived from the Arabic ‘al-ruzz’.
Paella was originally cooked by farmers and farm labourers. They cooked rice together with whatever was available in the fields – tomatoes, onions, snails and few beans. Meats like chicken and rabbit were only added on special occasions. The paella would be cooked in a large pan on an open fire. This distinctive pan is appropriately called ‘la paella’, which comes from a Latin word ‘patella’ meaning pan. Today, it’s still eaten in the traditional way – straight from the pan.
The Spanish food historian Lourdes March once said that paella “symbolises the union and heritage of two important cultures: the Roman, which gives us the utensil and the Arab, which brought us the basic food of humanity for centuries.”
Today, paella is still an important part of life in Spain. As well as eating it in restaurants, paella is often cooked at family gatherings, picnics and holiday areas. It’s also very often a centrepiece for fiestas. Cooking is very often left to the men – much like a BBQ in the UK!
Wherever there’s a mass gathering, there’ll be a paella simmering somewhere. Whether it’s a festival, political campaign or protest, it’s customary to have an enormous paella cooking. Spain is also home to many paella competitions, most notably the Concurs Internacional de Paella Valenciana which is now in its 60th year. This competition originated in the city of Sueca, Valencia and searches for the best paella in the world.
Fancy a shot at cooking the world’s best paella? We’ve got all the paella spices and paella herbs you will need to start practicing. Or you could cheat by using our paella spice mix.
News
We want to make sure we do everything we can to get your Christmas gifts & ingredients to you in time. Order by the dates below to guarantee that we...
Read MoreUnderstanding Spices
Salads are a versatile and refreshing dish that can be enjoyed year-round. While fresh ingredients play a significant role in creating a delicious salad, the right combination of seasonings can...
Read MoreUnderstanding Spices
Chips, are a beloved snack enjoyed by many around the globe, offering a blank canvas for culinary creativity. Learn how to season chips to perfection! While plain chips can be...
Read MoreHealth and Wellbeing
Have you ever heard the saying 'You are what you eat'? The truth is that what we consume directly affects our health. Our diets perform a significant role in helping...
Read More