Where to buy herbs - the culinary kind in Barcelona

Cindy_L · #1 (**permalink**) 22nd February 2012, 12:22 AM

Hi guys

I've been looking everywhere at the fruit shops, supermarkets and in the markets but nobody seems to sell any herbs in Barcelona. Where can I possibly buy some spring onions (shallots), chives, basil, coriander, mint, parsley and maybe even thai curry leaves? Surely, people use these in their cooking and they don't all grow their own, right?

Alcalaina · #2 (**permalink**) 22nd February 2012, 11:22 AM

Hi Cindy

I don't know about Barcelona but down here shallots, fresh mint and parsley are sold in all the greengrocers. Chives, coriander and basil aren't used in Spanish cooking and I grow my own, but you might find them in an international supermarket like Carrefour. But Thai curry leaves? You'll have to resort to mail order I think!

Alcalaina · #3 (**permalink**) 22nd February 2012, 11:24 AM

Bear in mind also that food is much more seasonal in Spain and rather than buy imported spring onions from the southern hemisphere you might have to wait till spring ...

Pesky Wesky · #4 (**permalink**) 22nd February 2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcalaina

Hi Cindy

I don't know about Barcelona but down here shallots, fresh mint and parsley are sold in all the greengrocers. Chives, coriander and basil aren't used in Spanish cooking and I grow my own, but you might find them in an international supermarket like Carrefour. But Thai curry leaves? You'll have to resort to mail order I think!

I've never seen chives, but I regularly get basil and coriander. Ask for it in the green grocer's or supermarket.
And parsely, Spanish flat parsely, is normally given out free here in the green grocers or even the fishmonger gave me some the other day. They normally ask you if you want some

Alcalaina · #5 (**permalink**) 22nd February 2012, 12:34 PM

Spring onions (cebollas frescas) look like this: If you chop the green stems finely they can be substituted for chives.

bob_bob · #6 (**permalink**) 23rd February 2012, 04:00 AM

I've learnt from past trips and the last time I managed to get abroad for three months I took herbs and spices with me to be honest as a lot of them that are common in UK supermarkets you just can't find in Spain, certainly Gran Canaria. I took all needed for a curry for example. They must be available I suppose if you know where to look.

Not sure if its legal to take seeds from the UK but herbs like coriander and basil would grow like the clappers in the Spanish climate.

gus-lopez · #7 (**permalink**) 23rd February 2012, 05:55 AM

All are obtainable in the weekly markets around here & sell nothing else but herbs & spices.

bob_bob · #8 (**permalink**) 23rd February 2012, 06:45 AM

Just a herb and spice market? Sound great

Cindy_L · #9 (**permalink**) 23rd February 2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gus-lopez

All are obtainable in the weekly markets around here & sell nothing else but herbs & spices.

Where's "around here"?

Cindy_L · #10 (**permalink**) 23rd February 2012, 07:37 AM

Thanks guys! I went to a nearby Fruiteria and asked them if they had coriander and spring onions an they did!!! Apparently, they hide them somewhere in the back of the store (so suspicious!).

Next challenge would be to find those more exotic herbs. Thai basil, lemongrass, curry leaves. I'm definitely going to bring back some seedlings or seeds next time I'm over in Asia. Hope it's not illegal to do that.