Anyone who has spent any time in Spain, eaten at Spanish restaurants, shopped at Spanish markets or browsed the produce at supermarkets will know Spain grows more fruit crops than many other countries on the planet.
In fact, not only does the country have some of the freshest and most delicious fruit you’ll ever eat, they’re the world’s leading producer of several of them.
So, which fruit crops are grown in Spain, or would it be easier to ask which fruit crops aren’t, as there are so so many of them?
Oranges and mandarins grown in Spain
Spain has been one of the leading growers of oranges and mandarins for decades, and if you’ve ever eaten a Spanish orange, you’ll know why. They’re amazing. Spain is also the world’s biggest exporter of oranges and mandarins, so if you buy these fruits in your own country, chances are they may very well be Spanish.
When you’re next in Spain, though, do grab a bag at one of the local markets or from a roadside seller. You can buy a net bag of fresh Spanish oranges for just a couple of euros for several kilos in weight, and they’re great for eating by themselves, in salads or sauces, used as garnishes, for making fresh orange juice or side dishes, or even as part of a dessert (ever eaten them soaked in a sweet orange liqueur and then used as an ice cream topping? – oh my stars!)
In fact, after you’ve eaten a few fresh Spanish oranges and tasted that sweet, delicious juice, I’d say it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever want to eat oranges from anywhere else.
Grapefruit, lemons and limes grown in Spain
The same thing goes for Spanish grapefruits, lemons and limes. Not only are they one of the biggest crops grown in Spain, but they are also exported all over the world in massive quantities. And, yes, they’re tasty, tasty, tasty.
Don’t miss making a jug of Spanish sangria and pouring it over some fresh Spanish lemons, limes and apples Or making an apple pie or crumble. Oh yum!
Other fruits grown in Spain
Other delicious fruits grown in Spain include apples, pears, bananas, peaches, apricots, cherries and plums. You’ll find them at all Spanish markets when the fruits are in season, and out of season you can still pick them up in the frozen food section of your local Spanish supermarket.
Figs too are grown all over the Balearic Islands, and are used in foods like the traditional Pan de Higo – a fig cake that’s one of the most delicious things you’ll ever eat in Spain.
For more on Spanish fruit and, of course, Spanish vocabulary, watch this short video from Eye on Spain filmed at a typical Spanish fruit and vegetable market. Just look how beautiful that fruit and veg looks!