Our friend Pepe Ruíz provides our Calasparra paella rice, and we always enjoy visiting the tiny town of Calasparra to visit with him.&nbsp; The rice grown in fresh water, high in the mountains along the Mundo and Segura rivers.&nbsp; Why grow rice in the mountains?&nbsp; One story is that centuries ago malaria affected the low lands near Valencia, and as an accident of history, they blamed the disease on the location of the rice fields. When they moved the rice crop to the mountains of Calasparra, the mosquitoes were left behind.&nbsp; In the new climate the grains of rice took longer to mature, and so are able to absorb an amazing amount of rich broth – the secret of good paella!&nbsp; Calasparra rice is the only DOP protected rice growing region in Spain, and it is still artisan grown with no insecticides or herbicides.<a href="/food/rice-and-pasta">See our artisan paella rice ►</a>

Pepe Ruíz - Rice Farmer

One recent Easter week, we visited the Villajos family in the tiny village of Porzuna deep in the meseta of La Mancha, where Antonio creates one of Spain's finest Manchego cheeses.&nbsp; When we visited last, Antonio's son was just finishing high school, and his daughter was working at one of the desks in their modest office. He took us for a brief tour of his cheese making operation, and we learned that Antonio knows each of the local shepherds, so that the fresh sheep's milk often arrives at the dairy only 15 minutes after it is milked! It is hard to describe the warmth and hospitality extended by Antonio and his wife. We have never tasted a Manchego cheese that compares to the ones he and his cheese master Bernardo produce.<a href="https://www.tienda.com/artisan-cheese/cheese-sheep">See our artisan cheeses ►</a>

Antonio Villajos - Cheesemaker

Not far from Madrid is Sigüenza, a hill-town topped with a fairytale castle. &nbsp;In this ancient village, Jesus Blasco works with his brother and son to cut and stitch bota wineskins by hand, as they have been made for thousands of years. &nbsp;His small workshop is not much different than that of his father and grandfather, both of whom practiced this ancient trade.Jesús greeted us at his door and proudly showed us the painstaking process of cutting a goat hide, stitching it together, then sealing it with pine pitch to make it waterproof. &nbsp;Jesús and his son are proud of their skills, and are innovating to help preserve this craft for generations to come.<a href="/table/wine-service">Shop Bota Wineskins&nbsp;&nbsp;►</a>

Jesús Blasco - Bota Wineskin Maker

In the beautiful Basque fishing village of Ondarroa, the Ortiz family founded Conservas Ortiz in 1891 to produce exceptional canned seafood. Now in its fifth generation, this family owned cannery is famed for its line caught Bonito del Norte tuna. Each tuna is sustainably harvested with hook and pole, and each can is packed by hand, preserving the delicate, tender tuna for you to enjoy. Discover the finest canned tuna in the world.

	<a href="/ortiz/">See our Ortiz seafood ►</a>

The Ortiz Family - Canned Seafood Maker

Save on Spain's Legendary Jamón - Shop now for 20% off sliced Jamón Ibérico!

This One's on Us - Free Olive Oil with $99 Orders - While supplies last! Use Promo Code: ACEITE

Gift Ideas for Father's Day - Share the spirit of Spain with dad this Father's Day!

Delicious Paella Made Easy - Find all the ingredients and gear you need for a next-level paella.

We're All About Familia - Our family-run company supports Spains's amazing artisans.

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Artisan Young Manchego Cheese from La Mancha - 12.3 Ounces

Serrano Ham Croquetas by La Croquetina

Butifarra Sausage with Ibérico Pork

Sliced Ibérico Ham by Peregrino, Nitrate Free - 2 oz

La Tienda's Jonathan Harris demonstrates
La Tienda's Jonathan Harris explains the difference between Jamón Serrano, Ibérico and Bellota

Difference Between Jamón Serrano, Ibérico and Bellota Video

Anchovy Stuffed Olives by Peregrino - 'Extra' Quality

Video describing Peregrino, La Tienda's house brand

Peregrino Brand Foods Video

Barra Cantábrica - Extra Airy Bread

Galician Bread - Barra Española

Galician Bread Video

Mild Palacios Chorizo from Spain

La Tienda's Jonathan Harris demonstrates serving Palacios Spanish chorizo

Serving Spanish Chorizo by Palacios Video

Free Olive Oil with $99 Orders! Promo Code: ACEITE

Sliced Ibérico Sale

Free Olive Oil with $99 Orders

Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Delicious Paella Made Easy

We're All About Familia

Sliced Ibérico Sale

Free Olive Oil with $99 Orders

Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Delicious Paella Made Easy

We're All About Familia

Best Sellers ►

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Try Our Best Paella

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