Complete Guide to Buying Paella Seasonings in Spanish Supermarkets
Paella seasonings
For friends who have just moved to Spain, want to make authentic paella at home? Actually, you can find all the seasonings needed to make delicious paella in major Spanish supermarkets. Today I’ll share my shopping experience accumulated over several years of living in Spain.
Essential Seasoning List
Most important is saffron, which is the soul seasoning of saffron paella. You can find it in the spice section of major supermarkets like Mercadona and Carrefour, usually packed in small glass bottles. Although it’s not cheap, costing 4-6 euros per small bottle, you only need a small amount - just a few threads each time. I recommend choosing Spanish local brand saffron for better quality assurance.
| Seasoning Name | Spanish Name | Reference Price | Recommended Brand |
|---|
| Saffron | Azafrán | 4-6 euros | La Chinata |
| Sweet Paprika | Pimentón dulce | 1-2 euros | El Rey de la Vera |
| Garlic | Ajo | 0.5-1 euro | Loose |
| Lemon | Limón | 1-2 euros/kg | Loose |
Spices and Seasonings
Sweet paprika (pimentón dulce) is also an indispensable seasoning for paella, giving the rice a beautiful red color and unique smoky flavor. It’s easy to find on supermarket spice shelves. I recommend choosing products from the La Vera region, as paprika from this area is considered the most authentic. One jar costs about 1-2 euros and lasts a long time.
Fresh garlic is available everywhere in the vegetable section, usually sold in net bags. Spanish garlic has a relatively mild flavor, perfect for making paella. You’ll also need fresh lemons for seasoning and removing fishy odors, available in the fruit section.
Other Practical Ingredients
Besides basic paella seasonings, supermarkets also sell ingredients that make paella more diverse. Frozen seafood mix is common in the frozen food section, usually containing shrimp, mussels, squid, etc., priced at 5-8 euros per package. Fresh green beans (judías verdes) and red peppers (pimiento rojo) are also available in the vegetable section.
Tip: If it’s your first time making paella, I recommend buying a paella seasoning packet from the supermarket, which has various spices already mixed in proper proportions, making it more convenient to use, usually priced at 1-2 euros.
Finally, let me remind everyone that choosing the right rice is most important for making paella. Bomba rice or Calasparra rice available in Spanish supermarkets are the best choices for making paella. Although they’re more expensive than regular rice, the grains are plump and have better soup absorption capacity, making more authentic-tasting paella.
