06 Aug The best shops to buy in bulk in Madrid
Bulk food procurement is a topic that we find really interesting. In this article we will look at its many benefits, not only for the parties involved but also for the environment. We will also discuss some aspects that might be controversial, such as the health guarantees offered by sustainable shops, although we encourage you to try to buy as much as you can in bulk. And of course, we recommend the best shops where you can buy in bulk in Madrid.
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"10 shops to buy in bulk in Madrid
1. Casa Ruiz Granel
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We begin our list of bulk-buying shops in Madrid with Casa Ruiz, because of its proximity and because we know the establishment very well. The business was founded by three friends: José Aurelio Ruiz, Xavier Ripoll and José María TorregrosaCasa Ruiz, which already has six shops in Madrid and three in BarcelonaThe one we recommend is the one located in Calle Hermosilla.
Its philosophy advocates a responsible consumptionwhere you only buy what you are going to consume, avoiding food waste and encouraging the saving of natural resources. Casa Ruiz is committed to local productsCasa Ruiz works with local producers who guarantee a natural and quality product, eliminating costly and polluting transports.
In their shop you can find all kinds of products: rice, pulses, chocolate, teas, infusions, dried fruit and flour. Many of the products are labelled with information about their origin, and if any information is missing, the staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Although shopping in their shop is a delight, if you have less time you can do it online. In addition, on their website you can find full information about each product and some recipes, such as pasta with red walnut pesto or brown rice with vegetables.
- Web: casaruizgranel.com
- Addresses and telephone numbers in Madrid:
- Calle de Hermosilla, 88 // Tel: 915 76 65 77
- Calle de Andrés Mellado, 58 // Tel: 918 61 61 28
- Calle de Carlos Maurrás, 7 // Tel: 910 58 73 80
- Glorieta de Santa María de la Cabeza, 5 // Tel: 917 95 70 79
- Calle de Fuencarral, 119 // Tel: 914 44 56 48
- Plaza de la Botánica, 1 (Alcobendas) // Tel: 916 62 66 02
2. Nut Nut
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It is a pioneering concept in Spain, inspired by Middle Eastern roasteries, which seeks to create a culture around nuts. Located in Madrid's Calle Bravo Murillo, just a few metres from the Quevedo roundabout, Nutnut is an artisan nut boutique. More than a shop, it is a declaration of intent in defence of this food, which is always in the spotlight despite its many nutritional properties.
The architects of this project are two entrepreneurs of Lebanese origin, Dany Sarrouf and Marwan RiachiThey have been living in Madrid for years and are nut lovers. Both have dedicated part of their lives and professional careers to travelling around the main producing countries and studying the different ways of consuming these products in each region.
Their flagship shop features more than 100 references of nuts and dried fruit products served raw, hand-roasted, flavoured or dipped in various chocolates, caramel, cinnamon, coconut or tiramisu. -with wasabi, truffle, black garlic, manchego cheese, chili, barbecue, etc. or dipped in different chocolates, caramel, cinnamon, coconut or tiramisu.. Everything is dispensed in bulk in designer packaging. In addition, the customer has the option of making their own mix or opting for some already designed, such as the Energetic mix, the Exotic mix or the Heart mix, the most suitable for cardiovascular health. The products can be bought to take away, taken directly from the bulk dispensers or sampled in the cafeteria area.
All the ingredients have been personally selected according to their calibre and brought directly from different producing countries.The pistachio nuts are from Iran, almonds from Spain, cashew nuts from Brazil, India and Vietnam, walnuts from California and Chile, and peanuts from China and Spain. The nuts are roasted when they are green, in the establishment itself, with a custom-made roasting machine in Lebanon, so that they retain all their freshness, flavour and nutritional properties.
In the sweets section, dried fruits and dried fruits covered with different chocolates (dark, white and milk), caramel, coconut, cinnamon, yoghurt or tiramisu and traditional Middle Eastern pastries such as the Lebanese Malban/Turron, a handmade sweet made from dried fruits, which is very difficult to find in Madrid.
- Web: nutnutshop.com (with online shop)
- Addresses and telephone numbers in Madrid:
- Calle de Bravo Murillo, 10 // Tel: 910 69 62 71
- Calle de Fernando VI, 8 // Tel: 912 37 89 63
- Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo, 25 // Tel: 915 73 56 51
- Calle de Principe de Vergara, 30
3. Nugget and Grain
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In the heart of Chamberí, we find Pepita y Grano. This bulk shop hides more than 300 references in products and ingredients Among them are: 14 types of beans, including the highly prized Tolosa bean; 13 types of rice, with varieties for making sushi and risotto; 20 types of flour, from spelt to corn, including double-strength and carob; and a multitude of semolina, such as couscous, millet and bulgur, the basis of the genuine tabbouleh. The information signs on almost all the products indicate their origin, and if any of them do not, just ask.
In Pepita y Grano there is room for different cuisines from around the world. Among the spices, there is curry, sweet paprika, oregano or vanilla pods, to name but a few of the more than 70 varieties available. Their products are adapted to people with different tastes or special needs. The shop's arsenal of dried fruits, chocolates and nuts and dried fruits and nuts will have to be checked in the case of coeliacs, intolerant people and children, who will have to be kept under control.
In the bags, there are some rarities such as red and caviar lentils, chickpea fusilli, dried lupins, dehydrated hibiscus flower (which is a trend in the world of gin and tonic), coriander seeds, ground ginger, nori seaweed, golden flax... And, for a special gift, gift boxes are prepared to order with no minimum price. Another differentiating point, which we particularly like, are the recipes that are scattered throughout the shop and that you can take home for free.
Pepita y Grano works as a self-service. There are baskets and paper bags so that everyone can serve themselves comfortably. The aesthetics of the premises leave no room for doubt: the environment is cared for and sustainability is promoted. The recycled pallets act as shelves and the sacks, where the products are packed at source, are the same ones that are shown to the customer for sale. This is the idea of Pepita y Grano: taking care of yourself inside and out, spending only what you need to spend.
By the way, they have shops in Madrid, Valencia, Donostia, Ponferrada and Florence!
- Web: pepitaygrano.com
- Addresses and telephone numbers in Madrid:
- Calle Eloy Gonzalo, 18 // Tel: 919 41 91 13
- Calle de San Bernardo, 71 // Tel: 919 29 73 16
4. CleanUp BIO
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In this list, not everything was going to be food shops, we also propose you shops like CleanUp BIO, where they are specialised in the bulk sales of ecological cleaning products, personal hygiene, consumables and utensils..
Today, the shop is located at the Barceló Marketin the central district of Malasaña. Its offer includes different cosmetic articles and plastic-free utensils, in order to do its bit for the reduction of this polluting material in the world and in everyday life.
At CleanUp BIO you can find household cleaning, personal hygiene and intimate hygiene products and organic cosmetics. They have products without petroleum derivatives, are not tested on animals and do not contain animal derivatives. You can bring your own containers to refill and they make home deliveries.
This company has decided to specialise in the bulk sales of products of Spanish originWe applaud this decision. In addition, it has joined the network of distribution shops of 4Eco, a national group specialised in organic bulk products. 4Eco4Eco, a national group specialising in organic bulk products with shops and distributors throughout Spain, to serve customers living outside Madrid.
- Web: facebook.com/CleanupBIO
- Address: Mercado de Barceló. Calle de Barceló, 6. Local 105
- Telephone: 633 33 33 36
5. El Granel de Corredera
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El Granel de Corredera, located in the heart of the Malasaña neighbourhood in Madrid, was created by two entrepreneurs, Ramón de Isasa and Danays Rodríguezwho wanted to take advantage of the growing demand for organic products in the city.
This is a unique shop where you will find all the food you can imagine in grains: peas, rice of all colours, yellow, black or red lentils, curry, peppers, beans, chickpeas, quinoa, ginger... and all in the plural because they offer many references.
It is not just a place to buy in bulk, is a place where you can rediscover the flavours of yesteryear. and with those ingredients that have always been in the kitchen and that we often forget because of marketing. The novelty of this establishment is that the customer receives personalised attention where they will be given the keys to introduce these products into their diet.
There's no trick or cardboard (or plastic) here, because what El Granel de Corredera does is spreading healthy eating by going back to the sourcewith natural and, for the most part, organic products.
- Web: elgraneldecorredera.com
- Addresses and telephone numbers in Madrid:
- Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 33 // Tel: 910 41 13 26
- Calle de López de Hoyos, 87 // Tel: 912 32 43 43 36
6. Unpacked Shop
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Returning to the Salamanca district, we come across Unpacked Shop. Its founder, Maria Ariasis a young lawyer who has created this space driven by the idea that there were things to improve in the recycling system and in the way we consume. recycling and in the way we consume.
It is not just a shop to buy products in bulk, but it goes further, because it is the first supermarket in Madrid free of plastic waste. Madrid's first plastic-free supermarket. In other words, you can do all your shopping without taking a single bit of plastic home with you, in keeping with the philosophy of zero waste. Everything is packaged in glass jars, stainless steel pots and paper and cloth bags, which you can buy directly from the shop or take home with you. The idea is to reuse as much as possible, and not to waste anything.. The less plastic, the better for everyone.
The list of products is endless and many of them are Eco Certified.. They are distributed in several areas. First, the food section, where you can choose from pastas, flours (you can grind the grain on the spot if you like and take it to taste), spices, pulses, teas, aromatic and medicinal herbs, cereals, dried fruit, chocolates, nuts, energy balls, wheat bran and flakes (oats, rice, rye, quinoa...), salts, sugar, vinegars, oils, agave syrup, honey and superfoods, as well as salts, sugar, vinegars, oils, agave syrup, honey and superfoods.), salts, sugar, vinegars, oils, agave syrup, honey and superfoods, as well as wine and even vermouth.
All this is served in bulk, directly from the dispensers and jars scattered throughout the shop, with the idea that each person can buy only the amount they need. In this pioneering space there are also other products that are not so easy to find, such as kombucha in bulk, a fermented tea drink that they bring from Barcelona.
They also have a home hygiene section, with detergent, hand dishwasher and floor cleaner. For personal care, they offer everything from toilet paper to bath salts, make-up remover, handmade soaps, natural luffa sponges and even dental floss.
- Web: unpackedshop.co.uk
- Address: Calle de Narváez, 28
- Telephone: 910 44 41 01
7. Cántaro Blanco Dairy
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Cántaro Blanco is a creation of Nacho Navarro and Adrián JatoThey thought it would be a good idea to bring "real" fresh milk to Malasaña, a neighbourhood that is always receptive to unique shops, and in this way bring back the dairy shops, a type of establishment that has practically disappeared from our streets.
That is why, in March 2015, they set out on the adventure of recovering the sale of fresh milk in bulk in the capital's city centre. An idea that has been greeted with joy by many residents of the area, who come to the business to refill bottles of freshly milked milk from a Madrid farm. Cántaro Blanco is betting on a sensible price (there is hardly any difference with respect to the tetrabrik that we buy in a supermarket) so that this type of product is incorporated as a normal part of the daily basket, instead of being understood as a luxury.
Every day, the milkman arrives at Cántaro Blanco to fill the tanks with fresh milk from the farm. Granja Los Combos, located in the municipality of Móstoles, Madrid.. Customers can take it home in their own container or rent one there to transport it. It is a unique place to recover the joy of drinking one of the most denatured and punished basic products of our time. Another star product of the place is the yoghurtmade only with milk and ferment, without additives or sugars.
- Web: lecheriacantaroblanco.com
- Address: Calle de Manuela Malasaña, 29
- Telephone: 910 29 66 39
8. Spicy Yuli
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Spicy Yuli, small and cosy spice and herbal tea shopwas the first to open as a bulk shop in Madrid. Here you can find a wide range of products from all over the world: flavoured salts, teas and infusions from the Far East and spices of all kinds, from the most common to the most exotic, which occupy dozens of glass jars and metal tins on the shelves.
The shop offers a warm and cosy space where you can lose yourself for a moment and immerse yourself in the world of spices. Yuli, the owner, is a real expert on the subject and will give you hundreds of ideas and recipes for new dishes and tips on natural herbs.
The big problem is that, once there, it's impossible to decide: tea with or without theine, with vanilla or cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, in short, it's endless. If you want to give something original as a gift or surprise someone, this is also a good place to do it.. Their products are served from personalised formThe tea shop, in a place where music, the warmth of a cup of tea and words mingle with a thousand familiar and unfamiliar aromas. They also sell online.
- Web: spicyyuli.com
- Address: Calle de Valverde, 42
- Telephone: 915 22 58 28
9. The Overseas Colonial
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Some thirty varieties of coffee from the main coffee-producing countries in the world and a catalogue of teas and herbal infusions by weight are more than enough reason to visit La Colonial de Ultramar. This small space, set up in 2004, also brings together different types of gourmetproducts such as chocolates, cocoa, pastries, marmalades and honey, together with a wide range of accessories such as teapots, coffee pots, thermos flasks and tea and coffee sets.
Here you can buy chocolate bars. Newtree, Caffarel, Dolphin and Simón Coll. They also have chocolates Ludomar, Barcat and Hamletas well as other Belgian chocolates. They sell hot chocolate from Chocovic and cocoa powder from Ludomarchocolate, as well as other products such as chocolate with fruit and bitter orange marmalade with chocolate. La Tejea.
The shop has more than 200 references of teas, many flavoured with chocolate. Flavours include truffle, chocolate and mint, strawberry and chocolate, truffle and peach, caramel (cocoa, caramel, vanilla and almond), with coffee beans, milk and white chocolate, chocolate and rum and chocolate and coconut. There are chocolate and orange rooibos and truffle rooibos. It also sells chocolate flavoured coffee.
- Web: lacolonialdeultramar.com
- Address: Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 92
- Telephone: 914 01 83 70
10. A Salto de Mata
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A Salto de Mata is a project that forms part of Cyclosa cooperative that aims to bring agroecology to Madrid.
It is a commitment to fresh, national and seasonal produce.. This is how this eco-shop is defined, located in the heart of Lavapiés, which takes care of every detail with the aim of respecting the environment and offering healthy food to its customers. As well as breads, meats, soft drinks and fruit, there is an important bulk food corner, featuring pulses, rice, pasta, flour, nuts and dried fruit. You can also complete your shopping basket with canned vegetables, fish, dairy products, yoghurts, pulses in bulk, drugstore products (also in bulk) or fair trade chocolates and coffees.
The clientele, mostly from the neighbourhood, oscillates between the more militant sector and the old grandmothers who buy the three basic products that have been robbed of their purity by time and industry. bread, milk and eggsthree basic products that have been robbed of their purity by time and industry. The fruit and vegetableswhich arrives on Tuesdays and Thursdays, tends to be from the Community of MadridThe , although in the winter months, when the frosts are more severe, they turn to the delicious Murcian market garden.
In the wine section, you will find the Ricotí from the Kirios Winery in Adrada de Ribera del Duero. As far as beers are concerned, they offer those of Gabarrerabeers, brewed in the very heart of the Sierra del Guadarrama National Park, thanks to a cooperative whose profits go to community and solidarity projects. Everything on the shelves of A Salto de Mata complies with the following principles: fairness, environmental sustainability, cooperation, cooperation and solidarity. Charter of Principles of the Solidarity EconomyThe A Salto de Mata brand is based on the following principles: fairness, environmental sustainability, cooperation and commitment to the environment.
- Web: asaltodemata.org
- Address: Calle del Dr. Fourquet, 17
- Telephone: 915 30 44 28
"Advantages of buying in bulk
REDUCE WASTE
Buying in bulk food shops helps to reduce packaging and food waste, thereby reducing the amount of packaging and food waste. saving on packaged products and single-use plastics. Getting into this consumption habit has a huge impact on the waste we produce on a weekly basis and encourages us to be more conscious of our consumption choices.
REDUCE TRANSPORT
Bulk products reduce transport needs as they contain fewer packaging components. When moved, they can be packed more densely on a truck, in big bags and boxes, making them more efficient to transport than individually packaged items.
IT'S CHEAPER
In general, buying in bulk is more affordable. By avoiding taking what we don't need and saving on packaging, we should find it more affordable to buy in bulk than other similar items in the supermarket. lower price than other similar items in the supermarket.
WE CAN BUY EXACTLY THE AMOUNT WE NEED
It has been shown that the main causes of the increase in food waste are due to the conditions of sale: packaging is not adapted in shape and size to the needs of each buyer, there is an excess of variety and quantity on offer, and there is still confusion between the best-before and best-before dates.
Buying in bulk allows us to take exactly what we need so that there is no food waste. FOOD WASTE. For example, if a recipe calls for 320g of quinoa, we can simply measure and buy that amount, rather than buying a one-kilo bag that will gather dust in the kitchen cupboard.
With this new way of shopping we can trying new foods and see if they are to our liking, acquiring small samples of them, before buying a larger quantity that we may not be able to use. In short, the idea is buy what you are going to eat.
FOOD STAYS FRESHER AND HELPS US EAT MORE HEALTHILY
Because we buy exactly what we need, we no longer have old packages of half-used products in the cupboard. Therefore, we consume a fresher goods. Popular bulk food shops have a high stock turnover, which means you are always buying the latest.
The products that are bought in bulk are, for the most part, ecological and of a much higher quality. They all come from small farmers and, many of them, local. Their qualities can be tested directly, by sight or smell. In addition, their warehouses maintain a controlled temperature The warehouses are also equipped with an efficient stock management system so that the stock is kept in optimum condition and the threat of bacteria or pests is eliminated.
Shops of this type usually have a wide variety of products such as cereals, pulses, spices... This allows us to try new foods in smaller quantities and to have a more varied and balanced diet. richer, more diverse and balanced diet.
CONSCIOUS SHOPPING
Can you imagine buying almonds in bulk and making your own almond milk? This way of consuming helps us to think of the food waste and the amount of packaging that we would save. Before you know it, you'll be thinking about more conscious ways of shopping in all aspects of your life.
If many of us became conscious shoppers, we would make a huge difference to the planet and encourage and inspire those around us to change their own lifestyles. conscious shoppers we would make a huge difference to the planet and encourage and inspire those around us to change their own lifestyles.
Be careful! If bulk buying is done compulsively, it can be counterproductive.
SUSTAINABILITY
To produce packaging materials, trees are felled from our forests, polluted water is poured into our streams and enormous amounts of energy are used, resulting in huge levels of CO2 emissions into our atmosphere.
Plastic is an environmental threat that is polluting our planet at a rapid rate. If the figures are anything to go by, this material accounts for 70% of marine litter. On the other hand, it is estimated that across the planet 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted 1.3 billion tonnes of food waste per year.
Bulk food shops combat these negative effects, thanks to their passion for organic, local and fair trade products. All of these items are more sustainable by their very nature.
BACK TO BASICS
In today's fast-paced world, there is a great need to keep things as simple as possible. back to basicsto keep things as simple as possible, and that's what shopping in bulk food shops is all about.
This way of shopping is not new. It is the same way our grandparents did when they went to the local grocery shop. Cooking from scratch, as our grandmothers used to do, and cutting out processed and packaged products is a more authentic, rewarding and nourishing way of life..
SUPPORT FOR LOCAL TRADE
Many neighbourhood shops were forced to close because a high percentage of the population started to shop at the supermarket. Bulk buying is a great support to families who keep their businesses open and who represent our values.
IS PERSONAL, FUN AND INTERACTIVE
With all the new health food products on the market, figuring out the difference between chia and quinoa, or maca powder and mesquite powder, can be tricky, so ask someone with experience at the shop.
These actions give us a real relationship with food. It is about nourishing the body, caring for the planet and establishing practices in everyday life that have positive effects. and far-reaching in the world around us.
"Inconveniences of buying in bulk
These consumption habits can lead to some objections. For example, for packaged foods, the best-before date is on the packaging. However, with bulk foods, the expiry date is not always visible, because it is not required by law. In addition, the opening hours of a supermarket are much longer than those of neighbourhood shops.
Bulk sales are obliged to comply with the technical-sanitary regulations for the retail trade. There are specific regulations requiring, for example, certificates for the foodstuffs on display, as well as the obligation on the part of the retailer to ensure optimal product preservation and that foodstuffs are kept on shelves or in display cabinets away from the floor.
The bags of foodstuffs displayed in these shops must be kept until the end of the sale. Each bag must bear a record of the packaging and may only be handled by the store manager. the batch number and the year of departure The product contained in each bag must be labelled with the number of the packaging and may only be handled by the store manager. The product contained in each bag must be removed with a specific utensil to be given to the buyer, so that the product is not mixed up (i.e. one utensil for rice, another for pasta, another for seeds, etc.).
More and more bulk shops are opening, at least in Madrid, and it is surprising how many products are available in them.and it is surprising how many products are available in them. In addition to fruit and vegetables, they also sell nuts, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, different types of flour, seeds, pulses, milk and wine. It is increasingly common to find personal cleaning products such as shampoo and body wash or general cleaning products such as laundry detergents or bathroom and kitchen cleaners.