Pimentón de la Vera (PDO) Route

The comarca of La Vera, in the north of the province of Cáceres at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos, is the historic home of pimentón de la Vera. Protected by Denomination of Origin since 2010, it is one of the most singular foodstuffs of Spanish gastronomy: red pepper smoked over holm-oak and oak wood in traditional drying houses ("secaderos"), then ground into the smoked paprika that flavours sausages, stews and rice dishes.

A tourist route through the Vera combines visits to PDO producers —most located between Jaraíz de la Vera, Cuacos de Yuste and surrounding villages— and the option to combine the gastronomic visit with the historical heritage of the comarca: the Monastery of Yuste (where Carlos V retired), the historic centre of Garganta la Olla and the gorges ("gargantas") of the Sierra de Tormantos. The Museo del Pimentón in Jaraíz de la Vera is the best introduction to the technique and the cultural history of the product.

Most producers open by prior booking. Best months are October-November (harvest and drying) and the rest of the year for the museum and producer shops.