One of the things I love about Seville is that going organic is both accessible and affordable. It’s partly because of an innate, Andalucian understanding and appreciation of raw ingredients; like when certain foods are in season (cue barely containable excitement at the start of the asparagus season) and the recognition that ugly, misshapen fruit and vegetables probably mean they tastes better.
Plus in Andalucia you’re often only one step away from the original producer and can even buy from them direct at the local farmers’ markets.
But going organic doesn’t just stop at what you put in your mouth. In Seville you can find everything from organic beauty products, clothing to hairdressing.
Here are my list of organic outlets in no particular order
Food shopping
Ensconced in its new home in upmarket barrio El Porvenir , Estraperlo (meaning contraband in Spanish) is an organic food market that boasts a kitchen onsite that has a daily tapas menu on offer as well as monthly cooking courses.
Red verde is Seville’s main vegan food shop but also have a bountiful supply of organic fruit and vegetables. It’s situated in the Alameda district and is always bustling with their loyal, animal friendly clientele.
Gaia, near Plaza de Armas, is the definitive organic supermarket and probably has the largest section of organic food products in town. They’re also good if you’re in search of more niche health foods that are difficult to find elsewhere.
This is really a cooperative of consumers and local organic producers. Not only do they promote and sell organic products (including organic meat), but also responsible consumption and sustainability. In order to become a member of the cooperative you pay 77.77 (returnable on leaving), plus an anual fee of 50 Euros. If you’re not a member you can shop there, but the prices are slightly higher.
What started out as an ordinary fruit and veg shop with a few organic bits and pieces in the on the side, is now effectively an organic shop with the odd non organic item. Situated in the Macarena, Las Comadres, are down to earth and friendly, always making me smile when I shop there.
Calling themselves a ‘social market’, La Rendija is a bit like a cooperative, but this time there’s no obligatory joining fee. They just ask you keep a few euros topped up in your account and in return you get to buy organic, local produce. They also offer organic veggie boxes.
When I’m in town I go religiously to this once monthly market. Always on the second Saturday of the month and situated just in the spot between Café Central and Corral de Esquivel, you’ll find everything from fruit and veg, cheese, olive oil, honey, beans and pulses, and bread. All straight from the producers.
Artisan bread has become all the rage in the last few years, but the trailblazer has really been Das Brot, the German bread shop on Calle San Luis. I’m not a big bread eater, but for quality, organic, sturdy looking breaded goods, they really are the kings.
Eating out
Things are a little sparse on the eating out organic in Seville but once again Gaia has been there from the start with their vegan restaurant next door to their shop and their newly opened café Organics near calle Sierpes which I have yet to visit.
Situated in Alfalfa, this is the only place to go if you want to go organic and eat meat too. It’s smart, has good wines and everyone I know who eats there rates it.
Beauty
Seville’s got loads of herbolario shops offering natural beauty products, but it’s really Bien y Bio that guarantees organic certification. I always go there for their organic sun protection and makeup ranges.
Clothing
Yes, you heard it right, it is possible to have organic clothing shops as well. Verde Moscu’s natural fabrics are organic, they are fair trade and embody an ethic of sustainability. However this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style in the process.
Hairdressers
My newest organic find has been Obando, a new hair salon tucked away on a side street at the back of Feria Market. They use totally organic products, including mud and plant based colours (of which I’m sporting one right now). Owner Angela worked in Edinburgh for nine years and speaks excellent English.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list as I have to acknowledge that my recommendations tend to be quite north of the river centric, so if you’re a Trianero or from any other barrio for that matter and have a favourite organic haunt, please leave a message in the comments section below.
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Over in Triana I recommend La Higuera c/Virgen de Fátima, 23. It’s a small shop selling mostly fruit and veg and run by Alberto. He also stocks organic olive oil, wine, beer, soy sauce, yogi teas, lentils, chick peas, chocolate, milk… all the basics! He also has a small selection of cosmetics & hygene products (weleda, urterkram and others) and cleaning products (like ecover)… If your Spanish is good, he always has time for a chat 🙂
Thanks for sharing Gabriela, Alberto and La Higuera sounds great.
There’s also La Colmena Trainera at Paseo Nuestra Señora de la O once a week. Not sure if all their products are organic, but definitely local (which is also great). 🙂
anybody know where to get local organic eggs in Sevilla? Gracias!
Jason, most of the organic shops mentioned will sell organic eggs apart from red verde because it’s vegan