{"product_id":"spanish-paella-spice-blend-with-saffron","title":"Spanish Paella Spice Blend with Saffron","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaella is one of Spain’s most celebrated dishes, known for fragrant rice, vibrant colour and generous, shared cooking. Spice Zen's Spanish Paella Blend brings together sweet and smoked paprika, savoury tomato, rosemary, thyme and lemon peel, finished with premium Persian saffron for its floral aroma and golden hue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinely ground for even infusion through stock and rice, the blend delivers warm Spanish depth, gentle smokiness and a clean citrus lift. Fine saffron threads add a golden, premium finish and a natural sign of the ingredient at its heart.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandcrafted in small batches from certified organic spices, it contains no onion, garlic, fillers, anticaking agents, added salt or added sugar. Use it for seafood, chicken or vegetable paella, or to bring Spanish character to rice dishes, seafood, vegetables and broths.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavour \u0026amp; Aroma Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sweet paprika, savoury tomato, gentle smokiness, mild cayenne warmth and a clean citrus lift.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAroma:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Floral Persian saffron, warm paprika, fragrant rosemary and thyme with fresh lemon notes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eUse \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1-1.5 teaspoons for 1 cup (200 g) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eof dry paella (Bomba) rice or short grain rice\u003cspan\u003e. For stock-based ratio, use 1 tsp per 250 ml stock.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuild a simple \u003cstrong\u003esofrito by cooking tomato in olive oil until rich and concentrated\u003c\/strong\u003e. Onion, garlic and capsicum can be added if desired.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd rice and distribute evenly. Add hot stock and after this avoid stirring \u003cspan\u003eso the grains cook separately.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eIncrease heat briefly at the end to develop a light \u003cstrong\u003esocarrat\u003c\/strong\u003e, the golden caramelised crust beneath the rice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeekend meals shared straight from the pan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLong lunches and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRelaxed entertaining\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeafood and Mediterranean-inspired family meals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColourful plant-based centrepieces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOutdoor cooking and summer gatherings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne-pan family dinners\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpanish Culinary Heritage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaella originated in Valencia, where rice was cooked in a wide, shallow pan over an open fire. Traditional Valencian versions centre on rice, saffron, vegetables and locally available proteins. Coastal regions later introduced seafood, while modern versions include chicken, vegetables and mixed ingredients. Saffron, paprika and careful stock absorption give the dish its signature colour, aroma and separate grains.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood to Know\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhich rice should I use?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBomba rice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is ideal for paella because it absorbs flavour while holding its shape. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalasparra rice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is another excellent Spanish option. If these are unavailable, use a good short‑grain rice and adjust cooking time so the grains stay separate rather than creamy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is sofrito?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSofrito is the traditional Spanish flavour base made by slowly cooking onion, garlic, capsicum and tomato until sweet, glossy and caramelised. It creates depth, sweetness and colour, and helps the rice absorb flavour evenly. Warming your paella spice blend in the sofrito is the most authentic way to cook paella.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat is socarrat?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSocarrat is the thin, golden, lightly caramelised layer of rice that forms on the base of the pan. It develops when most of the stock has been absorbed and the heat is briefly increased at the end of cooking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is socarrat important?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSocarrat is prized because it concentrates flavour, adds gentle crispness and signals that the rice has absorbed the stock properly, a hallmark of a well‑made paella.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShould I stir paella?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStir while building the base and coating the rice. Once the stock is added, avoid stirring so the grains cook separately and a light socarrat can form.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy is the blend finely ground?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaprika, herbs, lemon peel and saffron disperse more evenly through the stock when finely ground, giving consistent colour and flavour throughout the rice. Visible small saffron threads remain as a natural sign of the ingredient at its heart.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat pan should I use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wide, shallow pan allows the rice to cook in a thin, even layer, essential for authentic paella texture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePresentation \u0026amp; Storage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified organic and gluten-free. Handcrafted and packed in our gluten-free Sydney facility. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStore tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct light and moisture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spice Zen","offers":[{"title":"30 gm","offer_id":48861002825953,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"60 gm","offer_id":48861002858721,"sku":null,"price":27.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"95 gm","offer_id":48861002891489,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0771\/8279\/6001\/files\/SpanishPaellacloseup.png?v=1786538577","url":"https:\/\/spicezen.com.au\/products\/spanish-paella-spice-blend-with-saffron","provider":"Spice Zen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}