What to bring back from Spain?

Question

I'm currently living in Barcelona, Spain and will be returning to the United States in 2 months. I'm trying to think of food items I should bring back from here (here being Spain in general, not just Barcelona as I will be traveling to different Spanish cities.) I know I should bring back Ortiz canned fish products, and Spanish olive oil, but anyone have suggestions outside of that? Nothing that won't pass TSA/customs inspection please!

Answer

Pottery it will last longer than food stuff. sue

Answer

Marcona almonds (they're $$$ here!) 
Turron
Olives of any sort-especially the ones that are stuffed 
Canned berberechos are hard to find and pricey here
Pimenton dulce and picante

Answer

Items in jars should pass TSA/customs. Things I usually bring back (although I am in Canada, so YMMV)
Interesting vermouth and/or bitters
Dried mushrooms
Small jars of olives that I can use for gifts
Pimenton/paprika
Saffron
Salts
Gin (we like Gin Mare, and it's expensive at home)

Answer

Maybe you already know this store, but if you don't you should definitely go. La Ribera is a very unglamorous food store that mostly supplies restaurants and other bulk buyers. Carries all sorts of Spanish specialties' including saffron, pimenton and anything else you can think of. I just finished the last of my giant jar of paprika that I got over 2 years ago. At the time I thought I'd never get through it but somehow...I did.

http://www.laribera.cat

Answer

Can you ship wine? If so, Rioja and Grand Rioja. Top taste great cooking - especially with their low Tannin (aka: tannic acid) many prefer.

+1, Saffron. 

Smoked paprika (Hungarian?).

Other seasonings? 

Mustard - I like French Pommery crock with cork top and wax seal. The American plastic top is not as good to me. This stuff: https://www.thefrenchybee.com/pommery-moutarde-de-meaux-mustard-in-crock-jar-17-oz-p-100.html Pommery mustard used to be cheap locally in regular stores now with duties expensive in the US so only in specialty stores at something like 4 times the price I recall it. 

Olives.

Special Vinegar? Wine vinegar made from good local wine. Maybe an aged balsamic.

Be sure to get at least a years supply of olive oil as it doesn't do well on a cool dark shelf past that. Stuff here lacks the taste of olive oil there. Here expensive for often a questionable blend with bad taste compared to in Spain.

Pickles are different all over the world, are there any pickles there you especially devour? Or pickled foods?

Mayo? Better oils there.

Are there any non-perishable canned/bottled sauces, dressings, or condiments in Spain that gets used up often? 

Anything there consume, use up often, or crave. Think about what you buy most often for your kitchen / pantry (and around the house). Only take what use and enjoy.

Answer

Been to Barcelona many times, love the city.

I wouldn't bother with the olives or Olive Oil. I do not think the olive oil will survive as they are mostly packed in those cheap plastic bottles. I prefer Italian EVOO to Spanish. Actually a point here, most of the Spanish EVOO is processed in Italy, they just do to better.

Cheese is always my favorite to bring back, great variety and worth lugging it.

Answer

I agree with the paprika/pimon people. Any and all you can find! My favorite are the canned items: anchovies, clams, squid, tuna and other fish, etc. Almonds and honey are good, as is marzipan candy. My mouth is starting to water, thanks...

Answer

Having grown up in Barcelona (my parents still live there, Llavaneres) I have to ask why? (EDIT: I answered my question.) The only stuff I usually bring back from Spain is Asian, Mexican, Moroccan...stuff I can't find where I am now, Romania. I can tell you for a fact that Manchego makes your luggage smell like farts.
 You could try to bring a whole pata negra with you. I know they use prosciutto in the U.S. But nothing beats a good jamon serrano. I have transported a few of those back here. But you would need a stand to hold it.
 As butterfly suggested pine nuts would be a good idea. Membrillo you can make yourself. And if you are going back to the states you can get guava, which is a lot like membrillo (I was born in Puerto Rico and it is a staple there). As for paprika forget the Spanish. Buy Hungarian. That is the real stuff. I send my mom Hungarian paprika to Spain (I am on the border and they sell it everywhere here).
Too bad xipirones can't be packaged. I love those little guys.
Saffron is good but you can buy that in any market right now, especially middle eastern ones. 

Being from there maybe I am bit jaded. I take it for granted. One thing I can recommend, if you have a garden, is to buy some seeds. Their varieties of tomatoes (Monserrat, and anything else you find at the farmers market), pimientos de padron, piquillos. Look in the seed section and buy what you can. Those are a good gift for those who like to grow things. My mom sends me seeds from Spain and I grow them here.
Hope I was some help.

Answer

Mrs. Potato went to college in Spain for two semesters in her younger days. She recommends Queso Manchego and Chorizo.

Answer

Antonio Banderas

Answer

You can get most of the foodstuffs in the US. I would agree with SuienSoCa that specialty clay pots (a good olla for example) could be worth bringing back as they may be difficult to find in the US.

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