Aceite de oliva

Olive oil is a typical local product. Each area has several oil producers, many small ones selling 'from the yard', the larger ones having their own representation in the shops. The province of Jaén, for example, produces more olive oil each year than Italy and Greece combined. If you take a trip there, olive groves stretch from horizon to horizon and you can smell the olives in the air. Our favourite oil is Oro Bailén. Not because it's the best in the world (as evidenced by dozens of awards), but mainly because it doesn't taste bitter at the end.

Like everywhere in the south, every restaurant and bar will bring you a bowl of olives to whet your appetite, or bread and olive oil. Taste, try adding a little salt or honey to the oil. The best combination ever is oil with black salt.