Gastronomy at the Costa Blanca

Gastronomy and specialty’s  at the Costa Blanca , that is what you will discover on our page.

First, the gastronomy is  very important at  the Costa Blanca.
For Spanish people the excellent quality and diversity of the materials are very important.
As the Costa Blanca is situated nearby the Mediterranean sea , the ingredients are coming as well from the sea as from the land.

Gastronomy Seafood
Gastronomy Seafood

All in all, the  region is the vegetable garden of the Mediterranean.
In fact not only for the Spanish market , but also for the West European market.

The best in the Spanish cuisine , the ingredients from sea and land   come together.
Equally important,  the know-how and experience of the chef has made the cuisine become very  popular.

In brief, the region around Alicante is  one of the best area to eat in Spain.  Even by the best chef of the world, the chef of El Bulli.

Of course, you can eat well in all Spain.
But at the Alicante region the dishes have their unique flavors of the Mediterranean.

The fine cuisine, a gastronomy delight.

In special, the Costa Blanca has an international reputation for its fine cuisine.
Of course, there are several restaurants with Michelin stars.
As you known is a Michelin star  the most prestigious worldwide gastronomy award.
In Spain the Michelin stars are important, but equality  important are the Respol “Suns” .

One of the towns of the Costa Blanca has been awarded the most ‘ creative Gastronomy city. In fact , this town is Denia.
So, come to the Costa Blanca  to enjoy its superb cuisine in restaurants, tapa bars and gastro-bars.
Check out our dedicated guide to Orihuela Costa Restaurants.

Gastronomic Origin labels.

Products with a certificate of origin. This label is a quality stamp. So it give to the product the assure of the quality and the geographic location of where it is produces. As in France ” Appellation controlee” .

In the Costa Blanca they are wines, liqueurs, cherries,turron….

Turron or Nougat from Alicante.

The turron is made in the town of Jijona.
First, they  use the ingredients from the region.
As  almonds and honey .
If the turron is hard it , in Spain they call it : “Turron Duro”.

In fact , “Supreme” has 60 % of Almonds. while, “The Extra” of 42 % of almonds.

Do you want to read more ? Gave a look at our page Turron from Alicante .

Nice to known, every where in Alicante in February the  almonds tree are blossoming.
A spectacular view, only for two weeks in a year .

Gastronomy-Turron
Gastronomy-Turron

Wine  from the Costa Blanca region.

The Alicante region offers a wide range of different wines.
Due to the diversity of regions, altitude and climate.
The wines reflecting the Mediterranean spirit of the sun and the sea and the mountains.
As a result, the wines have different styles so the region offers wine for every type of wine taster.

Gastronomy wine
Gastronomy wine

The most popular is the red Alicante or Tinto Alicante . The red wine is 75% of the production. Depending the time of maturity , the wine is deep red, ruby-red or purple-red. The red wine may be “crianza” . What means  2 years aging 6 month on wooden barrels
Or “reserva , “what means  3 years and 1 year on wooden barrel.
Nowadays young wines are also aging in wooden barrels.
Indeed ,this time in wooden barrels , gives the wine a timber and an elegance.
In sum, the range is wide of different wines.
The Alicante region have also different ” Denominacon de Origen Calificada” or Protected Denomination of Origin.

Liqueurs from Alicante region.

There are four liqueurs recognized by the council. But there are many more. Sure one for any taste.
One of the liqueurs is the  ” Herbero de la Sierra de Mariola”. This liquor is made by distillation of certain herbs from the mountains of Mariola.
This herbs used for the sweet delight are sage,  chamomile and fennel.
As all ready said, the liqueur is very  sweet.
Many restaurants offers it as a digestive at the end of the meal.

Gastronomy Liquors
Gastronomy Liquors

The other one is the ” Anis Paloma”. As the name explains is made by distillation green anise or star anise.
All these  liqueurs are also very popular pure or on  ice or in cocktails.

Sweet wine

First, the “Moscatel” wine  is made from .. the grape of the Moscatel.

The wine is also known as ” Mistela”. It is a very sweet wine. There is also a liqueur from the Moscatel grape. The wine have a range of yellow colors . From bright yellow to yellow amber.

Moscatel
Moscatel

Sparkling wines from the” Moscate”  grape.
These sparkling wines have the freshness but still is sweet.
Instead of the cava , it is not the same taste as a brut cava.
Indeed the Moscatel wine  is complementary at the Mediterranean cuisine.

Although , the wines are different from region to region. So the wine of Alicante change their bouquet, their freshness, their elegance which allows you to experience the different flavors. To conclude , when you taste the wine of  Alicante the, you taste the history of the region .

Gastronomy : Wine route

Meanwhile, for the wine lover,there is a route who is very interesting.
In fact, the Alicante wine route ” rutas del vino” is perfect.
Indeed, the wine route is a journey in the wine making tradition of the Costa Blanca.
The route covers the whole area of the Costa Blanca. All the areas are different but share  one common thing ” the wine ” .
On the Alicante wine route , you can choose for guided tours in the vineyards and wineries. But also wine tasting in the cellars. And of course in the different towns you can enjoy the cultural heritage of the people, the beautiful sights , the lovely customs.

wine route
wine route

The wine route gives you the opportunity to visit interesting wineries, stay at little  hotels or lodges. Besides it is the perfect moment to try the cuisine or buy the excellent products of the region. It is the moment to stop and explore the  little bodega’s. Or to drine trough the Spanish countryside , the “huerto”.
Take your time to visit the small shops.
But do not forget that everything is closed during the famous siesta. So, then you can make time to a lunch stop for a picnic or local restaurant. While, enjoying the atmosphere of the characterful inland.

The route is popular not only for the wine. But also the traditions and the typical Mediterranean cuisine.

Read more about the wine route inthe Murcia Region on our page .

Wine routes
Wine routes

Cava

Spain’s home grown sparkling wine is no longer seen as a less champagne. But a product to be pride of.
It is  a sparkling wine increasingly seen at family celebrations at Spain but also in Europe.
For example in Belgium it is very popular at birthday party’s .
The bubbles are principality produced in Catalonia The Cava the Freixenet.
But also in the Valencia region. Cava means cellar in English. And in this cava’s  were once used to preserve and age the  sparkling wine.

Cava
Cava

In the 70th the name Cava was adopted to make a difference from the French Champagne.
It is made the same way, but with different grapes.
Cava Brut or Cava Semi Seco are growing in popularity because of it lower calories than the great variety of cocktails and the beers.