Rice & Legumes

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Rice & Legumes from Spain

If you long for the authentic taste of Spain to make a traditional Paella, Fabada, Caldo Gallego, stew or broth, try our variety of imported dry beans and rice.

The short grain rice we import is from Valencia. This rice has a great capacity for absorption. It will remain firm, absorb all of the flavors of your broth and is the only rice we recommend to cook paella. Our higher quality Bomba rice absorbs the most liquid and flavors and does not overcook as quickly as the regular quality Valencian Rice.
The brand we import is Arroz Cebolla (no, it does not contain onions- It was named after Mr. Cebolla, the founder of this company in Sollana, Valencia).

The key to making a tasty paella is preparing a great flavorful broth. We recommend that you portion 100 grams of Valencia rice per person. A kilo is appropriate for 10 servings.


Within this category you will also find easy to prepare and versatile ready to make Paellas by Marinesca. We like these paellas so much because they allow you to be creative. It is a primer for those that don't want to cook a paella dish totally from scratch.

Yelp Reviews

This is my favorite food spot after a soho shopping trip! I always feel like I took a mini culinary trip to Spain when I step into Despana. Everything is delightful here. You can't go wrong.

Jess C. 2/5/2012 Read more

The combination of the serrano ham and the creamy goat cheese provided carnal pleasure for my mouth.

Alexander K. 12/22/2011 Read more

With lots of lots savory items to sample like cheese, salami, chorizo, dips and olive oil, you can't help but purchase something, and the impressive array of products create an inviting environment worthy of more than a quick look. There's no room for disappointment or regret.

Mona L. 12/3/2011 Read more

Everything here is amazing, this is the place to go and have spanish delicatessen or buy the best ingredients to make the best paella! Highly recommended!

Daniel K. 2/15/2012 Read more

Their counter o' pork has some real treats: the morcilla (blood sausage) and lomo embuchado (cured pork loin) are among the best I've had in NYC,...and they slice their Iberico by hand.

Seth G. 1/13/2012 Read more

Truly amazing! Feels & taste like your back in Spain.

Danny A. 1/29/2012 Read more

Everything here is delicious, made properly and is such high quality. I absolutely love that I can pop in here for a snack anytime. Their gazpacho is summer is like other-worldly-seriously awesome.

Jerry B. 1/20/2012 Read more

Their selection of canned and jarred seafood is incomparable in the city - high-quality brands that are above and beyond what you'll find elsewhere, and at very reasonable prices for said quality.

Seth G. 1/13/2012 Read more

Nestled in between Soho, Despana is a hidden treasure. Try any of their food, but the sandwiches, flan, and various chorizo are heavenly.

Geoffrey B. 10/1/2011 Read more

The tradicional with manchego and jamon serrano is out of this world and loved all the meat samples and oodles of cheese and olive oil that were out to try. This place totally transports me back to Spain which I totally love and the staff is super friendly!!

Rebecca A. 10/3/2011 Read more

Oh my goodness, these sandwiches were just delicious. The bread was perfectly sort of hard on the outside and chewy and amazing.

Kelly O. 11/30/2011 Read more

What can I say about a place fills my stomach with the deliciousness that I have not had since living in Madrid or traveling to San Sebastian? All of the pintxos I have had are superb.

Patrick M. 9/9/2011 Read more

ADORE this place...makes me feel like I'm really back in Spain,...It's perfect for a casual lunch or dinner and all the delicious looking goodies will inspire your next dinner or cocktail party. I would bring a buddy so you can share one of every item in that wonderful tapas display.

eeeeestar t. 6/8/2011 Read more

This place is so amazing. They have just about everything I could ever want to purchase for cooking up spanish foods. Chorizo, Jamon, Pulpo, olive oil, etc... They also have a great selection of small lunch plates to eat which are also amazing. Definitely worth going to!

ramon u. 11/23/2011 Read more

The serrano ham (aged 15 months) melts in your mouth. Cured to perfection and excellent in a bocadillo. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Manchego Joven cheese. Light and mild, just the way I like it. Throw in a handful of Marcona almonds and a glass of Tempranillo and I am in paradiso.

Vivian H. 3/15/2011 Read more

I try something new most every time I go, but my stand out favorite is the El Quijote, a pork and manchengo cheese sandwich with some sort of quince spread that nails the savory/sweet flavor profile.

Maddie O. 6/16/2011 Read more

…the place has brought back some great food memories when I was in Malaga and Seville. It's probably one the best bocadillos I have eaten since I left Spain. The meat was really juicy and flavorful, almost better than the Morcilla I had in Malaga. I believe I have eaten some of the tastiest Spanish food in New York so far. I love Spain. I love New York. I really liked eating at this place.

Ambrose C. 1/11/2011 Read more

Despana's sandwiches consistently bring me to my knees. Thinking about them now, my mouth is watering. And make sure to get your sandwich to-go so you don't feel self-conscious about the o-face you will undoubtedly make upon biting into it. You will. You will! Don't fight it.

Bianca C. 3/7/2011 Read more

I am officially in love. This place is so cozy, clean and unique in its own ways. Very attentive staff, positive vibe, delicious dishes, relaxing ambiance-a little heaven in a middle of stormy soho.

eve a. 9/27/2011 Read more

The Sandwiches are superb, try the Chistorra Flauta, and the Catalan, and if you really want something special, the Butifarras sandwich. I can only find my favorite cheeses there. The only place I know of in the tri-state that carries Cabrales, a mixed milk blue with deep veins and a peppery flavor. Real cheese eaters cheese though. And the Chistorra sausage to go is a must. Great for a summer BBQ.

Sam N. 3/17/2011 Read more

Despana es delicioso! I adore Gazpacho. It was creamy, well-balanced, and delicioso, with the perfect amount of fresh tomato flavor. Volvere!

Amanda R. 4/7/2011 Read more

The goat cheese combined with the flavorful jamon serrano, plus the garlic spread, gave my palate and tongue an amazing sense of euphoria and bliss. I'm talking about the kind of really amazing euphoria and bliss that you get as if you just kissed the lips of a really gorgeous girl that you would want to hang out with quite often.

Ambrose C. 1/11/2011 Read more

This store is your go-to if you are missing Spain. Here you will find: Bocarones, Turrones, Aceite de Oliva, Acetunas, Jamon Iberico, Jamon Serrano, Quesos de Espana, Pate, Almendras Marcona, Chorizos,... How I miss you Spain. Thanks to Despana for helping me to relive some of those good memories.

Vivian H. 3/15/2011 Read more

Great place to grab a quick bite or put together a meal for later at home. One of NYC's newest treasures, there's no other store quite like them.

Seth G. 1/13/2012 Read more

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