The ‘Herbolario’

The Herbolario is a little gem of a shop that you may not be aware of, tucked in between the new launderette and the front entrance to El Farrol. Just walk through the archway from the square and then turn left.

As the name implies it is a herb shop, but not especially cooking herbs although you can buy some there. In Spain herbs seem to be as much a health thing as vitamins and you will find packets of rather interesting things alongside aloe vera and more traditional evening primrose oil, vitamins C etc.

However that is not why I love the herbolaria in Almerimar. Being a self-confessed healthy eater, on trips to the UK, along with my decafinated Earl Grey tea, I would fill my bags with various seeds, pulses and grains that I couldn’t seem to buy here. Until that is I discovered the herbolaria!

Now I buy unsalted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, red lentils, very brown rice and pasta, tamari (low salt) soy sauce, tahini (to make hummus), beautiful honey and things like cous cous and bulgur wheat there, as well as lovely oat flakes and 4 cereal mixes to make my own muesli.

I like vegetarian food, but still eat meat and fish. However when one of Chris’s work colleagues came to stay who was a vegetarian (in fact he was a Vegan), the herbolaria was a saviour. As well as soya products they sell tempeh and other interesting things in jars that Keith got me to try.

In addition there are lovely oils and vinegars, interesting red rice, flours rice cakes etc. etc. etc. AND if you are looking for an different gift for a female friend, there are also toiletries, books (Spanish) and local pottery.

The lady who owns the shop is lovely and friendly and keeps apologising to me for not speaking English! I find it easy to practice my Spanish when I go in there as she is so understanding.

I believe that we need to try hard to support the local small shops as Almerimar doesn’t have enough of them, so if you fancy trying out some healthier options or just want a slightly better quality product, then please check out the herbolaria.

Who knows you may become a regular!

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