Is British food really pleasing the palates of Spaniards?

Spain is roasting: British food is increasingly on the menu across many parts of Spain.

Spain is rightly proud of its contribution to the world of cuisine. From tapas to paella, Spanish food is one of the most-loved gastronomic styles on the planet, and it is an odd UK town indeed that doesn’t boast at least one Spain-themed tapas restaurant.

And within Spain, while most regions will boast one or two Italians, the odd Chinese restaurant and a smattering of other world cuisines, Spaniards have tended to be a little unadventurous with their tastes, choosing to prefer Spanish food ahead of foreign dishes.

But if that trend is ever to change, then inspiration be coming from an unlikely, ahem, sauce: the UK…

That’s right. According to a recent feature by The Times, Spanish stores are increasingly stocking British foodstuffs, even in the non-touristy areas, as Spaniards develop a growing love for UK produce.

From Tetley Tea to Marmite, Cathedral City cheese and London Pride Beer, stores from Carrefour to Mercadona are responding to demand by importing a number of British favourites.

The long history of sharing cultures between the two nations has, for a few decades, tended to revolve around a few stock exchanges: Spain provides the weather, the resorts and the cuisine, while the UK offers its music, TV, film and language in return.

But those previously defined boundaries are blurring, and Spain is learning to appreciate some of the nuances of British food that perhaps previously many would have sniffed at.

In response to The Times article, Spanish chef José Pizarro wrote how happy he is to see Spaniards embracing British food. He lists the classic British pie as one of his favourite foodstuffs, having previously dismissed pies as decidedly dour and tasteless.

Pizarro is also sold on porridge, Marmite, British asparagus, salt marsh lamb and – rather ironically – Seville orange marmalade. Spain may grow the oranges, but only the British can turn them into that morning favourite beloved of millions.

And with British-style tea now being drunk in increasing numbers by your average Spaniard, are we really on the cusp of a UK-themed Spanish food revolution?

Maybe, maybe not. Until a traditional chippy opens up alongside a classic bodega in some remote pueblo in Extremadura, talk of a revolution is way off. But it is certainly heartening to see Spaniards learning to love a wider range of foodstuffs… the real question now, though, is when will Spain get its first decent, proper curry house? Now that truly would be a huge step in the right direction.