Local exotics, the rise of local foods grown here
Not so long ago, finding foods such as ginger root, cassava or even pineapple was only possible in some hypermarkets or very specialized establishments. Today, not only is it easy to find these products in any neighborhood store, but many have even been grown just a few kilometers from home. It is what is known as local exotics, one of the gastronomic trends that is gaining strength today.
What are local exotics?
The local exotics are foods traditionally grown in distant regions or unknown, but which are now produced as local crops. This means you can enjoy fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, etc. that you would normally associate with distant places, but harvested right here, in your own region.
For example, the Costa Tropical, in the provinces of Granada and Malaga, has become a large producer of avocado, papaya or dragon fruit, tropical products originating from South America and Asia. In Valladolid, for its part, grows crops dedicated to quinoa, more typical of countries like Bolivia and Peru. In Murcia and the Valencian Community, land of citrus, they are expanding agricultural diversity with foods as novel as kumquat or citrus caviar. And where do you think they come from? kiwis what do you buy? You probably think of New Zealand, but there are more and more chances of that have been produced in Galicia or Asturias.
How are 'local exotics' breaking out in Spain?
As you see, in Spain, the trend of local exotics is quickly gaining momentum. Local farmers and producers are experimenting with non-traditional crops to satisfy the demand for new flavors and energize the highly competitive sector. From mangoes to turmeric, More and more exotic products are being grown on Spanish soil, taking advantage of the diverse climate and optimal growing conditions..
In fact, Spain's climatological diversity generates very good expectations for the development of exotic venues in the country. ““Spain could perfectly be Europe's garden of exotics.”, prediction Eurogroup Spain. The data corroborate this: pistachio production, for example, has grown by 1,000% between 2011 and 2020, according to the 2023 Cocampo Report on the Evolution of Crops in Spain.
What benefits does this trend bring?
What is the reason for this boom in local exotics in our country? This trend highlights, on the one hand, the importance of agricultural diversification, what allows respond to the demands of the new consumer and create new options in the face of the low prices of some products traditional. Thus, foods such as banana, kiwi, avocado and custard apple represent more than 20% of the fruit purchased by Spaniards, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
On the other hand, thanks to these kilometer zero crops, domestic farmers can compete with foreign companies and, in addition, offer fresher products with quality guarantees. Nor should we forget the role of local exotics in the environmental protection, by reducing food imports and mitigating the carbon footprint. Do not forget that the transport of goods is responsible for the 11% of greenhouse gases at a global level. Hence the importance of paying attention to the origin of the food you consume.
In conclusion, this new market represents an interesting evolution in the world of agriculture, but also of gastronomy, offering original flavors with the 'Made in Spain' seal and enriching the culinary possibilities with products from there and here, such as Hacienda Guzmán extra virgin olive oil. Consulta nuestro recetario and start breaking boundaries with our range of Premium EVOOs and the best local exotics.
