The countryside of Extremadura is the ideal location for raising the free range pigs which produce the famous Iberian ham.  The pigs feed on acorns which gives the ham a distinctive and sought after flavour. 

As well as pigs, Extemadura has extensive sheep and cattle farming which produces some of the best beef and lamb available.  The cattle herds are made up of Retinta, Iberian Avileña Black, Morucha and Cacereña White.  The resulting beef is tender and juicy.  The lamb from Extremadura is supposed to be the best in Spain and is widely used in recipes throughout the region. As well as domesticated animals, the region abound in wild game.  Boar, deer, rabbit and pheasants are all part of Extremadura's culinary heritage.  

With the quality of the cattle and pastures, it comes as no surprise to discover some great cheeses.  The best known is Torta del Casar which is widely accepted as Spain's premier cheese.  When it comes to food, Extremadura is the bread basket of Spain producing every conceivable fruit vegetable and meat, all of extremely high quality.

LA TIENDA

La Tienda is an internet company specialising in everything related to Spanish cookery, including  ceramics, paella pans and just about everything you need to get  started with some delicious Spanish recipes. Everything is delivered straight to your door.  If you don't have any recipes La Tienda can supply Spanish cookery books full of authentic regional cooking. La Tienda stock some delectable olive oils including organic, extra virgin, unfiltered, hand processed olive oil from wild olive trees .  If you've ever tasted Iberian cured ham, you know how special the flavour is.  This delicacy is available in all the Spanish tapas bars and La Tienda will supply you with the real thing, even down to the special holder for a whole ham.  La Tienda is your one stop internet shop for everything you need to create the genuine Spanish experience.  If you want a present for someone special try La Tienda's gift page which includes Paella and Tapas kits presented in wooden boxes bearing the La Tienda logo.  Spain produces some of the best cheeses available and La Tienda has a great choice of all the famous names including Cabrales blue cheese from the mountains of Asturias, Ibores goat's milk cheese from the meadows of Extremadura, aged Mahon cow cheese from Menorca and many more.  Some of these cheeses are almost impossible to find outside the Spanish regions where they are produced, so here is a unique opportunity to find that exclusive cheese to round off your regional Spanish meal.  No dinner would be complete without a glass or two of a wine which marries perfectly with the food.  La Tienda offer Spanish regional wines from a variety of wineries.  There are wines from the famous vineyards of La Rioja, plus some of the more obscure regions which are not normally found outside Spain, to browse through La Tienda's tantalizing wine list, click here.