Grocery shopping on the Costa del Sol

Andalusia is olive oil country: even own-brand oils are good value, often sold by the litre.

Check for 'virgen extra' on the label; local Málaga mills often appear in regional chains like MAS.

Labelled 'suave' or '0.4º'; this is not extra virgin.

An Andalusian product, widely sold and good; 'Reserva' has more depth.

Rice vinegar mainly in Asian shops; cider vinegar from any supermarket substitutes well.

Toasted sesame oil often comes in small bottles in the international aisle; Asian shops have more choice.

Tap water is safe; many locals use bottled water because of the taste.

Microwave cups are usually next to the rice, packed in twos or threes.

Moroccan shops sell bigger bags and coarse couscous too.

Pre-cooked 'placas precocidas' need no soaking; check the packaging.

'Vaporizado' means parboiled rice; it doesn't stick and is hard to overcook.

'Piñones' is soup pasta shaped like pine nuts, not actual pine nuts.

Use 'arroz largo' as a side; 'arroz redondo' is for paella and rice pudding.

Own-brand basmati is fine; big bags are cheaper in Asian shops.

Arborio is often in bigger supermarkets; Spanish 'arroz redondo' works well too.

Soup pasta sits next to the fideos; 'estrellas' or 'letras' work too.

Fideo no. 0 is often called 'cabellín'; the thinnest, ideal for soup.

Not always stocked; Asian shops reliably have it, often in large bags.

Look for 'chocolate para fundir' or 'para postres', often near baking goods.

Squeeze bottles are usually next to desserts or flan mixes.

A regular dry white wine is usually better than salted 'vino para cocinar'.

'Mosto tinto' is alcohol-free grape juice; find it with the juices.

Usually sold as 'mosto tinto'; find it with the juices.

Stock comes in cartons near the soups; compare salt levels.

Stock comes in cartons near the soups; compare salt levels.

Stock comes in cartons near the soups; compare salt levels.

Fish stock in cartons is common; fishmongers may give heads and bones for homemade stock.

Look for 'bajo en sal' or 'sin sal añadida' on the carton.

Stock comes in cartons near the soups; compare salt levels.

Stock comes in cartons near the soups; compare salt levels.

'Preparado de carne picada' contains additives; for pure mince, ask the butcher to grind it fresh.

Have it freshly minced at the butcher; pre-packed choose '100% carne', not 'preparado'.

Note: 'preparado de carne picada' contains additives; '100% carne' is pure mince.

Ask at the counter for 'aguja de ternera en tacos para guisar'; they will dice it for you.

Ask the butcher for 'ternera para guisar' in chunks; shin (morcillo) stays nicely juicy.

Shoulder (paleta) or neck (aguja) stays tender when slow-cooked; ask the butcher to dice it.

Pre-packed it is usually labelled 'ternera para guisar'; at the butcher ask for morcillo (shin).

Morcillo (beef shin) is ideal for the slow cooker; butchers happily dice it for you.

Ask the butcher for 'ternera para guisar' in chunks; shin (morcillo) stays nicely juicy.

Ask for 'morcillo en tacos'; its gelatine makes the sauce rich and silky.

Ask the butcher for 'ternera para guisar' in chunks; shin (morcillo) stays nicely juicy.

Ask the butcher for 'ternera para guisar' in chunks; shin (morcillo) stays nicely juicy.

Ask the butcher for 'ternera para guisar' in chunks; shin (morcillo) stays nicely juicy.

Ask the butcher for 'ternera para guisar' in chunks; shin (morcillo) stays nicely juicy.

Ask for 'aguja de ternera en tacos'; pre-packed it is often 'ternera para guisar'.

Look for 'salchicha fresca' or 'longaniza fresca' in the meat chiller, not frankfurters.

Watch for 'preparado' on the label; at the butcher you can choose your own mix.

Ask for 'mitad cerdo, mitad ternera'; pre-packed it is usually called 'picada mixta'.

Ask for 'mitad cerdo, mitad ternera'; pre-packed it is usually called 'picada mixta'.

Ask for 'mitad cerdo, mitad ternera'; pre-packed it is usually called 'picada mixta'.

Ask for 'mitad cerdo, mitad ternera'; pre-packed it is usually called 'picada mixta'.

Ask the butcher to saw the oxtail into pieces; 'rabo de toro' works too.

Often pre-packed as 'carrillada'; Iberian cheeks are easy to find in Andalusia.

'Panceta fresca' is unsmoked pork belly, often sliced; don't confuse it with bacon.

Ask for 'aguja de cerdo en tacos'; pre-packed it is often labelled 'cerdo para guisar'.

Ask for 'magro de cerdo en tacos'; pre-packed it is often 'cerdo para guisar'.

Ask for 'aguja' or 'paleta en tacos'; pre-packed it is often 'cerdo para guisar'.

Ask for 'costillar entero' or 'tira sin cortar'; pre-packed ribs are often already cut.

Ask the poultry shop for 'sin piel'; pre-packed, the skin pulls off easily yourself.

Usually pre-packed with the fresh meat as 'contramuslo deshuesado'; a poultry stall will also debone it.

Boneless thighs are usually pre-packed; the poultry shop will also debone them for you.

Mercadona sells boneless turkey thigh in trays with the poultry; otherwise ask at the poultry shop.

Turkey breast is almost everywhere; boneless thigh is easiest to get at the poultry shop.

Look for 'taquitos de bacon' or 'panceta en tacos' in the chilled deli section.

Look for 'taquitos de bacon' or 'panceta en tacos' in the chilled deli section.

Lidl and Aldi often have German smoked sausages; elsewhere look for 'tipo Frankfurt'.

Ask at the deli counter for 'hueso de jamón para caldo'; often also pre-packed.

Pick 'dulce' (not 'picante') in the horseshoe 'sarta' shape; found with the packed cured meats.

Choose 'dulce' (not 'picante'); for stews preferably 'chorizo para cocinar' in a link.

Usually frozen as 'gamba pelada cruda'; thaw before using.

Small jars in the tinned aisle; otherwise scrape out soaked ñora peppers.

'En su jugo' means in juice; 'en almíbar' is in syrup.

'Tomate frito' is a sweetish cooked tomato sauce; for plain tomato use 'tomate triturado'.

Tin or jar with the preserves; 'no added sugar' versions exist.

Tubes or small tins; freeze leftovers in an ice-cube tray.

Pitted manzanilla olives are standard; markets often sell loose local olives too.

Lidl and Aldi usually have it in jars or pouches; elsewhere in the international aisle.

Jars sit with preserves or Italian products; markets sometimes sell loose dried tomatoes.

Tomatoes and cucumber are often tastier and cheaper at the market.

Thick oats are not everywhere; look for 'gruesos' or 'tradicionales' on the bag.

Apple compote is often near fruit in syrup or baby food; honey with breakfast items.

Look for 'cacao puro' or 'desgrasado' (e.g. Valor); not Cola Cao or Nesquik.

Buy local honey at markets; Frigiliana's 'miel de caña' is molasses, not honey.

Honey with breakfast items; apple compote often near fruit in syrup or baby food.

Lotus is with the biscuits; store-brand 'galletas caramelizadas' often taste similar.

Usually with breakfast spreads; choose 100% peanut without sugar.

Both in the spice aisle; turmeric is labelled 'cúrcuma molida'.

Not every shop stocks it; bigger supermarkets usually do in the spice rack.

Also sold as 'ajo granulado'; in the spice aisle.

Also called 'pimienta inglesa'; not found everywhere, Moroccan shops sometimes sell it loose.

Found in the spice aisle; Moroccan shops often sell it loose and more fragrant.

Arab shops and market stalls sell cumin loose, often fresher and cheaper.

Often labelled 'hierbas provenzales' or 'especias italianas'.

Spanish curry powder is fairly mild; Asian shops sell hotter blends.

'Curry' in Spanish spice racks is usually mild.

'Curry' in Spanish spice racks is usually mild.

Mercadona stocks it in the spice aisle; Moroccan shops sell their own, more fragrant blends.

Small boxes or tubes in the spice aisle; DOP La Mancha is often the most fragrant.

Plain pimentón dulce is unsmoked; the smoked one says 'de la Vera'.

Choose plain 'pimentón dulce'; 'de la Vera' is usually smoked.

Smoked paprika: look for the 'Pimentón de la Vera' DOP label and pick 'dulce'.

Look for the DOP label 'Pimentón de la Vera'; that is smoked paprika.

Look in the spice or seeds section; Asian shops sell bigger bags.

Indian or Pakistani shops reliably have it; supermarkets not always.

Not always in regular supermarkets; Indian or Asian shops nearly always stock it.

Small potatoes often come in bags or trays as 'patata baby' or 'nueva'.

Look for trays labelled 'surtido de setas'; in autumn markets have more wild mushrooms.

Look for trays labelled 'surtido de setas'; in autumn markets have more wild mushrooms.

Celeriac is not always available; celery sticks ('apio en rama') are everywhere.

Often sold as a whole head; freeze leftovers for stock.

Bags are often labelled 'para cocer' or 'para freír'; choose the first.

Bags often state the use: look for 'para cocer' or 'para puré'.

Fresh dill can be hard to find; otherwise use dried dill from the spice rack.

Usually sold loose with the vegetables; breaking off a piece is fine.

Trays in the chilled fresh herb section; Moroccan shops sell big bunches.

At the market parsley is sometimes thrown in free with your veg; just ask.

Bunches or trays with the vegetables; at the market you sometimes get a bunch free.

Usually in bags as 'espinaca baby'; at the market also in bunches.

Bags of 'naranja de zumo' are meant for juicing; at their best mainly in winter.

Loose or in nets; purple garlic (ajo morado) is often the most aromatic.

Choose 'judía verde fina' or 'redonda'; the flat ones are 'plana'. Frozen works too.

'Pimiento italiano' is long and thin-walled; ideal for frying.

'Pimiento italiano' is long and thin-walled; ideal for frying.

Pre-sliced in trays; fresh at the market they are often cheaper.

Small potatoes often come in bags or trays as 'patata baby' or 'nueva'.

1-2 kg bags are cheaper than loose.

Yellow peppers cost more; tricolour packs are handy.

Pre-cut pumpkin is often sold in trays with the vegetables; saves a lot of chopping.

Spanish peppers are large and fleshy; markets often sell them cheaper per kilo.

Usually in small nets next to the onions; otherwise use a mild red onion.

Usually in small nets next to the onions; not every branch stocks them.

Spanish 'cebolleta' is bigger than a spring onion; the green part is usable too.

Plentiful mainly in autumn and winter; Málaga grows a lot of sweet potato itself.

Look for 'para guisar/cocer' on the bag; these hold together better.

Ready-made coleslaw is often in the chilled salad section; or shred 'repollo' yourself.

Bags of 'brotes de espinaca' sit with the packaged salads.

Choose 'crudas' (raw); 'marcona' almonds are often fried and salted.

With the nuts and dried fruit; market stalls often sell them loose.

With the nuts and dried fruit, often next to the raisins; look for 'arándanos rojos', not blueberries.

Look near the nuts or baking goods; flaked almonds usually come in small bags.

Maizena is a brand; 'harina fina de maíz' is the same thing.

Small bottles near baking goods; 'extracto' is usually more natural than 'aroma'.

Eggs are not refrigerated in Spanish shops; that is normal.

Code 1 on the egg means free-range ('campero'); 0 is organic.

Found in the international or tinned aisle; Asian shops carry richer versions.

Choose 'sin sal' or 'con sal' deliberately; both are widely sold.

Cooking cream often comes in shelf-stable cartons, not chilled.

Lidl often stocks crème fraîche; otherwise Greek yoghurt is a good substitute.

Crème fraîche mainly at Lidl and Carrefour; every supermarket has 'nata para cocinar'.

Careful: 'griego' is often sweetened; pick 'natural' without sugar.

Lidl often has crème fraîche or 'nata agria'; otherwise Greek yoghurt is a good substitute.

Sour cream is mainly at Lidl; every supermarket has plain Greek yoghurt ('natural').

Spanish butter is usually unsalted; salted butter says 'con sal' on the pack.

Mostly UHT milk in cartons; fresh milk is in the chiller.

Choose 'nata para montar' (35% fat or more); 'para cocinar' won't whip.

In the chilled section with the vegetarian products, next to seitan and hummus; Mercadona sells it as Hacendado tofu firme.

Rolls are in the chiller with pizza dough and fresh pasta; frozen works too.

Not standard in Spain; look for 'guisante partido' or 'matar dal' in Indian shops.

The Spanish standard lentil: small brown lentils that hold their shape, even in a slow cooker.

In glass jars in every supermarket; markets sometimes sell freshly cooked chickpeas by weight.

Cooked beans come in glass jars; rinse before using.

Cooked beans come in glass jars ('bote') with the pulses; rinse before use.

Black beans mainly at Carrefour or in the international aisle; every store has red beans.

Not every supermarket stocks them; Arab and Asian shops often sell them cheaply.

Flan moulds are in the household section; sometimes also as disposable aluminium ones.

Freshly baked in every supermarket; the local panadería is often better.

For a sturdy loaf ask for 'pan de pueblo' or 'pan rústico' at a bakery.

Buy a 'barra' or 'pan de pueblo' a day ahead; bread dries out quickly here.

Wheat tortillas are everywhere; corn tortillas are easier to find in bigger stores.

Found with packaged bread or Mexican products.

Nets are in the chiller or at the fish counter; discard open mussels that won't close.

Bonito is mainly fresh in summer; outside the season frozen tuna is a fine alternative.

Careful: 'bacalao' without 'fresco' is often salted or desalted cod.

Ask for 'sepia limpia en trozos'; frozen cuttlefish is fine for stews too.

Desalted cod is often in the freezer section; fresh cod is at the fishmonger.

Fresh at the fish counter or frozen; frozen loins are handy and mostly boneless.

Frozen 'gamba pelada' is usually most practical; thaw slowly in the fridge.

Ask the fish stall for 'filetes sin piel ni espinas'; frozen fillets work fine too.

Pre-packed chilled or frozen; at the fish counter they cut a portion to size.

Fresh at the fish counter or frozen; frozen rings are usually fine for stews.

Lidl often has Greek feta in brine; elsewhere with fresh or international cheeses.

Bags are often labelled 'especial gratinar' or '4 quesos'; in the chilled cheese section.

Grated manchego is not everywhere; otherwise buy a 'semicurado' wedge and grate it.

Choose Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano, not cheap grated 'mezcla' cheese.

Balls in brine are in the chiller with the fresh cheeses.

Usually near the mozzarella or Italian cheeses; Lidl often has it in its Italian range.

'Mostaza a la antigua' is wholegrain; Dijon is usually right next to it.

Dijon is common; wholegrain is 'a la antigua' and sometimes only in bigger stores.

Japanese curry blocks are usually only found in Asian shops or at El Corte Inglés.

Look for 'baja en sal' or 'reducida en sal' among the soy sauces.

Regular supermarkets rarely have it; otherwise use dry sherry with a little sugar.

Supermarkets stock the basics; Asian shops sell light and dark soy for less.

Often called 'salsa Perrins' in Spain; not stocked everywhere, soy sauce substitutes fine.

Often called 'salsa Perrins'; Iceland and bigger supermarkets stock Lea & Perrins.