SPAIN IS THE world's largest producer of olive oil, the third-largest producer of wine and a significant exporter of fruit, vegetables and meat, including the world-famous Serrrano ham.
Spanish produce, however, remains largely under-represented in Hong Kong, in the opinion of Spanish consul and trade commissioner Inigo Febrel. He sees participation in Hofex 2005 as a way to rectify the situation.
'A total of 24 companies are taking part,' Mr Febrel said. 'Wine, of course, is represented, as well as olive oil and olives, confectionery and chocolate. One exhibitor also has cheese, including the famous Manchego from La Mancha.
'There is some Spanish cheese available in Great in Pacific Place, CitySuper and ParknShop, but we are not as well represented as we might be.'
Spain has many regional varieties, but Manchego is the country's best-known cheese. It is a semi-hard sheep's milk cheese that is sold fresh or aged.
Other great cheeses from Spain gaining a following overseas include Cabrales, a matured blue cheese made in the Asturias and Cantabrica regions; Idiazabal, a waxy ewe's milk cheese from the Basque region; Majorero, a goat's milk cheese from the Canary Islands; Mahon, a cow's milk cheese from Catalonia; and Tetilla, a creamy cow's milk cheese made in the shape of a woman's breast, from Galicia.
Cheese in Spain is often served with fresh fruit and a quince paste called membrillo, both of which, along with Spanish wine, will be on offer at the Spanish Pavilion.