Six things you probably don't know about Spain

[mount_oregano]

1. According to the European Social Survey, Spaniards are the least energetic Europeans. When asked, "Have you felt brimming over with energy?" 21% said never, 41% sometimes, 31% often, and 7% almost always. The most energetic Europeans hail from (in order), Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, and France.

2. García is the most common last name in Spain, but there are more Garcias in the United States than in Spain.

3. Fully 80% of the world reserves of meerschaum are in Madrid Province. The stone is used to make tobacco pipes, among other things.

4. Spain is Europe's leading consumer of marijuana and cocaine.

5. Spain is the world's leading consumer of canned tuna, 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) per person per year.

6. Spain is the world's leading producer of olive oil, 31.7% of the total. It has 250 varieties of olives and almost 250,000,000 olive trees, and 80% of the olive oil is produced in Andalucía.

Comments

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

meerschaum pipes are THE AWESOME.
I have ...erm I think 5(?)

[mount-oregano.livejournal.com]

Spain exports a half-million tons of the stuff per year. Keep smokin'.

[smokingpigeon.livejournal.com]

I prefer Spanish olive oil to Italian, which seems tasteless by comparison. Spanish olive oil tastes >green< somehow. Very olive-y. Rich. We only get Goya brand here in Chicago. I suppose if I went to the right supermercado I'd find some more brands.

I downright love manzanilla olive oil. It's almost drinkable.

[mount-oregano.livejournal.com]

Actually, a lot of the "Italian" olive oil for sale in the U.S. is from Spain. It gets shipped by the truckload there, where it is bottled and sold. Obviously, it's not Spain's best.

I usually buy Hojiblanca brand, which is made by a cooperative in Andalucía. I believe you can buy it in the U.S. at WalMart. It's a strong-flavored variety made with holiblanca olives.

But there are many kinds, some very pricey. (None are very cheap.) A few stores here in Madrid specialize in olive oil, and you can go to olive oil tastings just like you can go to wine tastings.

There's nothing like fresh-baked bread dipped in a little olive oil for breakfast. Hojiblanca sells a variety just for that. ¡Olé!

[smokingpigeon.livejournal.com]

>>I usually buy Hojiblanca brand, which is made by a cooperative in Andalucía. I believe you can buy it in the U.S. at WalMart. It's a strong-flavored variety made with holiblanca olives.

Mmmm, think I'll try some!