Food & Drink

The countryside of the Costa Cálida is highly fertile, meaning there is a huge amount of fresh fruit and vegetables that form the basis for the region's cuisine.

Rice is commonlpace and finds its way into many local dishes. The abundant and varied seafood from Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea, together with game and meat from reared cattle that graze in the nearby mountains, all make for delicious dishes.​​​​​​​

Some typical dishes:
* Arroz y conejo (Rice with rabbit)
* Arroz de verduras (Rice and vegetables)
* Arroz y costille jacket (Rice and ribs)
* Arroz marinero (Rice with seafood)
* Paella huertana (Vegetarian paella)

The giant prawns are of an exceptional quality. The "huevas de mújol", a kind of caviar, is also a local speciality. Many desserts and cakes, often made from almonds, are prepared in this region. Taste the 'Jijona' ice cream, which is still made in the traditional way and contains real 'nougat' ice cream, again made from almonds grown in the region. The excellent wines from Jumilla and Yecla are widely recognized in Spain and abroad for their full-bodied taste and round, fruity finish.​​​​​​​

Typical dishes of the Costa Cálida:
Typical dishes of the Costa Cálida include calderos (rice dishes with different kinds of fish and peppers), mojama (salted tuna), pastel cierva (pie stuffed with pigeon, rabbit or chicken and eggs), while desserts include melon, figs, grapes from Cartagena or goat's cheeses. At the end of a meal, people drink an asiático (coffee with cinnamon, milk, liqueur and coffee beans).