Green, how I love you green, "Andalusia," wrote the poet Federico García Lorca in his verses about his beloved land. Andalusia is a vast territory brimming with gastronomic riches. And for EDYPRO It's a real source of pride to be involved in obtaining the products that southern Spain offers us. With Andalusia Day just around the corner, we're taking this opportunity to highlight some of the culinary delights this region has to offer. 

• OLIVE OIL. Known as liquid gold, olives are a staple of our Mediterranean diet. Andalusia boasts nearly 1.5 million hectares of olive groves. This product, a Protected Designation of Origin, dominates the Andalusian landscape and is an integral part of the region's soul and tradition. The olive tree also has significant ecological value, helping to slow desertification and mitigate the severe effects of soil erosion. And let's not forget its contribution to our health. Daily consumption helps prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol, among others. 
• VEGETABLES.  This sector has become a significant source of wealth for many rural areas of Andalusia. Almería stands out, where tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, beans, melons, and early watermelons are grown. The RAF tomato from this region deserves special mention. It is the result of selecting traditional tomatoes that were cultivated in the area around Níjar, near the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Its exceptional flavor and appearance, along with the sometimes exorbitant prices it fetches at Almería auctions, have led to this humble vegetable being known as the "Iberian ham tomato.".  
• CITRUS FRUITS.  Andalusia currently ranks as the second largest citrus-producing region in Spain, after the Valencian Community. The main citrus-producing areas are Seville, Huelva (strawberries and mandarins), Córdoba (oranges), Almería, Málaga, Cádiz, and Granada. According to the latest data, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development It is estimated that citrus production in Andalusia will exceed 2.4 million tons in the 2021-2022 season.
• SUBTROPICAL FRUIT. Domestic production of these fruits is concentrated in Andalusia, with avocado, mango, cherimoya, and loquat being the most prominent crops. The most widespread subtropical crops in the Axarquía region of Málaga are avocado and mango. Both help control cholesterol. Mango also benefits the skin, supports eye health, and regulates digestion. Avocado, for its part, is good for the heart, is very rich in folic acid, and helps with weight loss thanks to its satiating effect, among many other advantages. 
• RICE. The municipality of Isla Mayor, together with the Doñana rice paddies, constitutes the largest rice-producing area in Spain. These rice fields are a natural paradise at the gateway to Doñana National Park, a marshland landscape where farmers have achieved more sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation. In fact, according to recent studies, there is a symbiotic relationship between Doñana and the rice paddies. More than 150 species of birds pass through these lands throughout the year, with the Doñana marshes boasting the highest concentration of them in Europe. A true delight for both the eyes and the palate.

These are just some of the products that the southern lands offer us, and which we should include on our shopping list every week. As you can see, a true delight of basic ingredients that create endless possibilities in the kitchen, capable of satisfying even the most discerning palates.