Barcelona does this category extremely well. They take something uninspiring, like sacks of grains, pulses, rice – sundries and turn it into “Ooooo! Let’s go to that shop and buy some chocolate buttons or red quinoa.” Every time I’m in the neighborhood I rack my brains for something I need so I can take a visit and peer into the sacks.
They are also incredibly cool to boot. When I shop with Layla, she is always told to stick out her hand and is plied with more chocolate buttons than she sees in a week. If you stick a curious hand (and who can resist not poking and prodding at all these marvels?) someone shows up to help you figure out what you ‘need’.
And they are so natural about it all. I can’t help but think, the equivalent shop in London would have a wall full of recipe cards for what to do with the strange and wonderful goods on sale.
I love this shop. I dare you to go into this shop and not come out with 3 kg of stuff that (who are we kidding) you really don’t need.
Casa Perris
Plaça Comercial, 2
El Born
Barcelona
Hello! My name is Suzy. This blog is about discovering Barcelona through its eateries. I take it one restaurant or shop at a time and post on the blog once a week. I vary where I eat to have a have a mix of high and low end places. My goal is to find the special places, the ones worth seeking out and show and tell you all about them. 
Can you get red quinoa in Barcelona at the moment – bit of a drought in Berlin and London.
He, well actually. I still have red quinoa from Berlin. I didn’t buy quinoa that day. I bought raisins and chocolate chips.
Oh noooooooooo! Red quinoa drought!!!