The Curious: a new way to understand the Galician canning tradition

La Curiosa: a young story with roots in the canning tradition

Galicia has a long tradition linked to the sea and the production of preserves. In this environment, La Curiosa was born, a brand that arises with the intention of bringing a different perspective to a sector with a history deeply rooted in Spanish gastronomy.

Founded in 2019 by Cristóbal Fernández, La Curiosa is based on a combination of passion for preserves, entrepreneurial initiative, and a desire to innovate. Its story does not begin with several generations of canners at the helm of a family business, but with a personal connection to this world and the eagerness to develop a unique proposal.

This connection has a family origin. Lucrecia García, the founder's mother, worked for more than fifteen years in the canning industry, at the company Alfageme, where she held responsible positions in the quality area. From a young age, Cristóbal was familiar with preserves, which were regularly present on his family's table. Later, after finishing his studies, he decided to delve into this sector and worked for a year in a canning factory.

This experience allowed him to closely learn the trade and understand the work behind each can. From this combination of experience, curiosity, and entrepreneurial spirit, the idea of creating a brand capable of respecting tradition while also bringing something new was born.

Galicia and the Arousa estuary: the origin of its preserves

The identity of La Curiosa is closely linked to Galicia, a land where the sea is part of the culture, economy, and gastronomy. The richness of its estuaries and the fishing and canning tradition of the area constitute an essential part of the brand's philosophy.

The company is committed to producing its preserves in factories in its surroundings, near the Arousa estuary, and advocates for the value of Galician raw materials and the knowledge accumulated over generations.

This relationship with the territory is also reflected in its approach to production. La Curiosa seeks to respect the characteristics of fish and seafood and work with selected products at their best moment, taking into account the rhythms of the sea and the availability of each species.

Tradition is not presented as an unchangeable formula, but as a foundation on which to continue developing new gastronomic proposals.

Tradition and innovation within a can

One of the features that define La Curiosa is its intention to renew the image and possibilities of preserves. Against the idea that a can should be limited to containing a traditional product, the brand proposes new combinations and recipes that allow for the discovery of different flavors.

Alongside recognizable preparations, such as mussels in escabeche or scallops in sauce, its catalog includes proposals that seek to surprise, such as tuna belly in green curry or pesto.

This combination of known recipes and less common flavors reflects its philosophy: to respect what works and explore new possibilities when there is an opportunity to do so.

Innovation is also present in the preparation and presentation processes. The brand emphasizes product care, selection of pieces, and manual canning, aspects that contribute to the final presentation of its preserves.

Design as part of the experience

La Curiosa not only pays attention to the content of its cans but also to their appearance. Since its inception, the brand has opted for a recognizable, colorful design that is far from the more conventional image of preserves.

The illustrations are an important part of its visual identity. María José Fernández, an artist and family member, is responsible for bringing to life the designs that decorate the packaging. They depict events and highlights from different eras, turning the cans into small illustrated pieces that also tell stories.

This commitment to design responds to a clear idea: a quality preserve can also be an attractive object to gift, share, or collect.

Thus, the packaging ceases to be a simple container and becomes part of the gastronomic experience. The presentation allows La Curiosa's preserves to fit both in an everyday appetizer and in a gourmet selection for a special occasion.

A brand that seeks to bring preserves to new audiences

The proposal of La Curiosa combines respect for the canning trade with more contemporary communication. Its image and recipes aim to connect with consumers who value quality gastronomic products but also enjoy discovering original proposals.

This way of presenting preserves helps to showcase their versatility. They can be part of a pantry for everyday use, star in an appetizer among friends, or become a gastronomic detail to gift.

The goal is not to abandon tradition but to demonstrate that there is room to reinterpret it. La Curiosa starts from products linked to Galician gastronomic culture and presents them from a creative perspective, both in its recipes and in its visual identity.

La Curiosa at Iberian Market

At Iberian Market, we bet on products that allow for discovering different ways to enjoy gastronomy. La Curiosa fits into this selection thanks to its combination of Galician tradition, attention to the product, and creativity.

Its preserves offer alternatives for those who enjoy the flavors of the sea and want to try proposals that go beyond the usual preparations. From classic mussels in escabeche to scallops or combinations of belly, there are various options to prepare appetizers, complete recipes, or surprise at the table.

If you want to discover them, you can explore our selection of preserves and find new ideas for your upcoming gourmet moments.

Discover the preserves of Iberian Market