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Have you heard about the vegetable protein? Proteins, in general, are nutrients that the body uses for the growth and repair of tissues and for the synthesis of enzymes and hormones. Depending on the origin of these proteins we can talk about vegetable protein (seeds, legumes, tofu, seitan …) or animal protein (meat, fish, egg, dairy). Vegetable protein increasingly gains more ground, thus decreasing the excessive consumption of meat, fish or eggs. In this post we will analyze one of the main sources of vegetable protein, legumes. Comparing with other farinaceous plants, dried vegetables provide 4 times more protein than rice and double that of quinoa and if we compare them with some animal proteins, the result would be: Ration Food Amount of Protein100-125g Veal, loin, chicken 20-30 grams100g Hake, cod 12-17 grams60g 1 Egg 13 grams200g Boiled lentils 15-20 grams Although the amount of protein provided is similar, it must be taken into account that the vegetable protein is incomplete and of less biological quality, since it does not provide all the essential amino acids. But … There is a simple solution! What we have to do to get protein of high biological value is a successful combination of foods rich in plant proteins. For example: Combinación Example recipe to get complete proteinLegumes rice or pasta Lentils stewed with vegetables and brown riceLegumes nuts seeds Salad of vegetables, chickpeas, raisins, chia seeds andseeds, with extra virgin olive oil dressing. These recipes with legumes and well-seasoned with extra virgin olive oil give us, apart from complete protein, certain essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals and very low content in saturated fat, cholesterol, simple sugar and salt. So…! Go ahead and try them and add vegetable protein in your diet!

Chinese New or Spring Festival is the biggest holiday celebration in Asia – yes, bigger than the Western New Year. And right now, it’s already here in Spain. In fact, Spain has been celebrating Chinese New Year four years in a row now in Madrid. And this year, based on the lunar calendar, the Lunar celebration falls on February 5. Although the memories of the last new year celebration are slowly fading, we look forward to another festivity. So if you are planning to join the celebration, here are four main things to expect Colorful Decorations When it comes to decorations, red items are always present. Every street, house, and building is full of red since it is the main color of the festival. You’ll see red carpets on doors, red Chinese lanterns in windows and balconies, and since this year is the Year of the Pig, expect some red pig dolls and paintings as well. Traditionally, decorations are done on new year’s eve, but for public decoration at least one month is allotted for preparation. Food and Family Time If there’s Spanish and Chinese have one thing in common, that would be how important family dinner is. Family dinner or reunion dinner happens on New Year’s Eve and is believed to be the most important meal of the year. Red envelopes Just like Christmas in most countries, people also exchange gift during the Chinese New Year, but this comes mostly in red envelopes and greetings of prosperity and wishing everyone to be richer this year. L&P Global has a deep connection with China. Our business as a private label olive oil supplier and wine exporter grew, and China is a big part of it. Spain is known for a lot of things: tourism, the largest Spanish wine exporter, gastro-culture etc. But this happens only because Spain welcomes everyone, regardless of race and culture. And that’s something we are proud of here at L&P Global.Gong xi fa cai, everyone!

Christmas food is one of the most anticipated of the year, an occasion in which the whole family gathers and taste typical dishes, which are usually made with much love but are high in calories. Those tradition menus contain very little fiber and vegetables but rich in sugars and fats. During these days you can easily “earn” up to 3000 Kcal or more per meal if you do not control the amounts and type of food. To avoid the extra-kilos and heavy digestions that can happen during these important dates, we are going to give you some key tips: a) One of the main recommendations of the American Heart Association is that to pay attention to what we ingest, with this simple fact we can make small changes that will make a big difference on our health:1. Serve on the plate the ration that you are going to eat, avoiding the table pecking.2. Eat everything, but without repeating. Do not stay wanting to try anything!3. Eat slowly and chew well. b) Another important aspect would be to innovate with options equally delicious, but less heavy and caloric. We give you some ideas:1. Starters: A cocktail of prawns, a salad of spinach with dried fruit always dressed with extra virgin olive oil, a montadito of dried tomato and mushroom. Another good option is to make the base of the canapés with cucumber, thus avoiding excess carbohydrates in the bread.2. Second courses: Always avoid cooking with saturated fats and enhance cooking with olive oil, so you will make healthier and more tasty recipes.3. Desserts: Prepare a good source in the center of the table with peeled and cut fruit and some dried fruit, so, we will have a healthy option if the Christmas dinner is extended. Hopefully these tips will help you pay special attention to dietary habits during Christmas to avoid consequences such as weight gain, heavy digestion or even embarrassment. And above all, we take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Olive oil scam and fraud is still happening nowadays. The fact that you can’t just open a bottle and taste it while inside the supermarket makes it more daunting. So how do you make sure that you are purchasing premium quality olive oil? Here, we share important tips on how to choose the best olive oil. Check the harvest date The first thing you should check if you want to a buy extra virgin olive oil is the harvest date. Contrary to wine, olive oil does not get better with age. Generally, EVOO is best to consume within 12 months from harvest date. Also, the closer the harvest date, the stronger it tastes. In Spain, harvest season usually starts on October and continues until December depending on the region and the variety. Know the region of origin There are a lot of countries that produce and cultivate olive oil, and every country has their own variety of olive oil. Good olive oil should be grown, harvested, and pressed all within a single country. A trusted private label olive oil exporter knows how important this is. Choose the right packaging Never buy olive oil in plastic. That’s rule number one. Also, avoid buying olive oil in clear bottles. Here’s why: Olive oil needs to be stored in a cool dark place to preserve its freshness. If it is placed on a clear bottle, light can permeate it which destroys the oil and shortens its shelf life according to a study published in European Food Research Technology in 2005. Choose an olive oil that with a dark bottle or tin. Another pro tip: avoid olive oil that is placed on the top of the shelf. Choose a bottle from the back to make sure that there’s less light exposure. Smell and taste True extra virgin olive oil should be bitter because of the polyphenol content, also making it smell pungent yet fresh. Also, pay attention to the mouthfeel. It must feel crisp and clean to coarse or greasy. The important thing to remember here is this: the colour does not define the freshness and authenticity of the olive oil, it’s all about the taste and smell.

Linked historically and culturally, olive oil and wine are two of the most precious staples in Mediterranean countries. These two gastro products greatly influenced the world because of its contribution to the culinary industry. For that reason, aficionados and entrepreneurs saw it as an opportunity for business. However, we cannot deny that when there’s an opportunity, there is also a threat. Recently, there have been issues about counterfeit olive oil products and fine wine investment scams. And it’s a kind of struggle that consumers, suppliers, and manufacturers alike have to face. However, this could be a lot more difficult for the buyer’s perspective. To ensure that you will not fall into a trap of unfortunate circumstances, here are the 4 characteristics of a qualified wine and olive oil supplier you should look for. Strong experience Experience is a very strong foundation for any manufacturing industry. Knowing that your supplier has extensive successful experience with shipping and exporting both offshore and domestically gives you confidence that they perform with a high level of expertise. This is one of the reasons why clients trust L&P Global as their Spanish wine exporter. The experience the company has had for the past 50 years and more demonstrates its capability to please their customers regardless of the circumstances. Gives importance of quality Another important factor of a food supplier is how it gives importance to the quality of their products. Reviewing quality documents and procedures can be helpful to see if you are on the same page with the supplier when it comes to acceptable product quality. A walk through the production area is one of the best ways to determine the quality of products as well as the procedure happening on the floor. Strict food and safety ordinance Having an excellent health and safety record is a must in the food industry. Ultimately, buyers should be convinced that a food supplier is compliant with the food and safety regulations by having up to date certifications on their profile. This is important especially if they supply food in accordance to religious food standards like kosher and halal. As a kosher and halal olive oil supplier, L&P Global undergo a strict process to be accredited. And for many years, the company has been up to date with its qualification. L&P Global has proved its capability in the wine and olive oil industry for many years. Contact us to learn more about how you can purchase high-quality products with L&P Global.

Learning about wine is like learning about art or music. For beginners, learning about wine can be intimidating. It takes countless experience, and it’s, to be honest, not everybody’s cup of tea. Which means this topic does not come up often. But still, knowledge is power, right? So for beginners, let’s start with the majortypes of wines. Red Wine Just like its name, red wine colour ranges from dark violet to bloody red. Its colour comes from the variety of grape used – mostly black and dark red grapes. Also, the process includes grape skin, making it a full-bodied flavor. Also, red wines are great for a cellar, and the longer the wine is aged, the higher its price.The most popular red wine is the Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Rioja Blanca, Cava, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. It is great for lamb, beef, or smoked meats pairings. White Wine Fun fact: white wine exists for at least 2,500 years. White wine is a light coloured wine, ranging from straw-yellow to yellow-gold. It is made from the fermented pulp of white and black grapes. Compared to red wines, white wines don’t last in the cellar long. However, it still can be sold at a high price. Rosé Wine Popular among French, Portuguese, and other Spanish speaking countries, rose wine is the most straightforward to make. Because of how simple the process is, many believes that rose wine is the oldest type of wine. The popularity of rose wine grew over the years. One factor is its inherent drinkability as well as versatility with a different variety of foods. Sparkling Wine A wine that has bubbles – this is where it got its name. Sparkling wine is a carbonated wine which is created in two methods: Champagne method and Charmat Martinotti method. Mostly serve during special occasions, sparkling wine is best to serve with seafood like oysters, smoked salmon, caviar, shellfish, and shrimp. As an Italian and Spanish wine exporter, we would like to encourage everyone to learn more about wine. There are many reasons why a person takes interest in learning about wine. You will know which wine best suits the occasion, or meal. You will have confidence when buying, improve your smell and taste, and most importantly, have the satisfaction each time you take a sip.

Spain has once again maintained its position as the top olive oil exporter in the world. This is despite the fact that domestic use has shrunk and that severe drought brought by climate change affects so much of Spain’s olive oil production. One of the growing importers of olive oil in the recent years is Asia. Here are the top three countries that consume most of the olive oil production in the recent years: China’s stimulation for more Oliveoil production Demanding 17 per cent of the world’s total production of olive oil in the first quarter of 2016-2017, China took the first place of olive oil importation in Asia. Olive oil is considered a luxury food or food ingredient in China. However, despite its high price, Chinese consumers still buy because of its health benefits. Another reason is that more Chinese tourists are flooding European countries like Spain. They have witnessed how olive oil is used in Mediterranean cuisine and it adds more knowledge to their learning about the benefits of EVOO. Japan’s government advocacy towards a healthy lifestyle The growing thirst for olive oil in Japan became more evident in 2016 when Japan became Asia’s largest consumer per capita, and also placed 14th in the world. The increase was continuous from 1992. Olive oil is much appreciated in Japan mainly because of its health benefits. The demand for olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, increased because of the solid support of the government. The Japanese government is currently campaigning for a healthy lifestyle and diet. Spain is the top private label olive oil exporter of Japan, followed by Italy. Olive oil cravings of South korea It’s no secret that Korean cuisine created a massive upswing in the recent years, not only domestically but also abroad. With that comes the demand for using healthy food ingredients, including olive oil. Both extra virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil tops the most used type of olive oil in South Korea. And once again, Spain has dominated the olive oil market in South Korea, exporting up € 1,334 million worth of olive oil in the first 7 months of 2017. How Spanish meeting the demand in Asia Basically, Asia’s climate and the agricultural condition is not fit for olive oil production. Yet because of the dire chase of having a healthier lifestyle, consumers from all over the world prefer to use vegetable oil of high-quality oil like extra virgin olive oil from Spain than just using regular oil. One of the most important reasons why Spain is the top sought olive oil exporter nowadays is because of its quality and price. Compared to other exporters, like Greece and Italy, Spanish olive oil has a great price to value relationship, and this is also the reason why L&P Global tops the Chinese market when it comes to olive oil exportation. To know more about our products including our olive oil, feel free to contact us.

Each Asian countries have their distinct tradition when it comes to wine drinking. But in the past recent years, they have fallen in love with one of the most sought wines in the world: the Spanish wine. Last 2017, the Asian continent broke the record by importing up to 206.6 million litres of Spanish wine from Spain. Spanish wine exporters will enjoy the Asian market for the next five years, focusing on China, Japan, and Singapore as the key markets. So if you are planning to march into the wine market in Asia, this might be a good year for you. Here are the following reasons why the Asian markets are the best market today: The power of red Unlike the countries of the Iberian Peninsula, China and other Asian countries don’t have a strong tradition of wine drinking. However, they have a strong and positive belief about the colour red. Colour symbolism has a very powerful influence when it comes to Asian culture, and this is the advantage of red wine. For Chinese culture, the colour red is positive and synonymous to wealth, luck, power, and romance. No wonder red is also the dominating colour on the Chinese flag.In India, red also means purity, love, and beauty. While in Thai tradition, the colour red is for Sundays, corresponding to their God Surya. Influence of media Anyone who has a TV must have seen red wines as the most important drinks during special occasions. It portrays affluence and power and is mostly associated with wealthy families, usually on soap operas. Food and price Wine is not only for toasts, but it also gives additional flavour to dishes – including Asian Cuisine. Most modern restaurants in Asia are now using Spanish wine to add more tangy and oaky flavour to their sauces. Why spanish wine? Truth be told, it’s not only about the taste but also the price. Spanish wine is a lot less expensive compared to Italian and French wine. One great example is the European restaurants in Hong Kong. There you will see that instead of the familiar Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, you’ll see sweet Spanish Tempranillo and Rioja instead. This only shows that as consumers gain more knowledge and build better awareness on what they want, they are also ready to explore more flavours that are beyond familiar. Now is the best time to invest IWSR/Vinexpo has forecasted that global consumption will significantly increase up to 1.9% percent from 2016 up to 2020. This is due to the additional 12.7% growth of Asia, and China will lead this incredible growth, it may surpass America. Now is the best time to start investing in the wine business in Asia, and L&P Global is always ready to provide you with either or both private label wine and selected wine from Spanish wineries. Feel free to contact us for more information!

The private labelling industry is now at its peak, thanks to the increase in consumers who prefer purchasing generic and cheaper products over branded ones. In fact, there is a significant increase of 61% in the number of consumers who purchase private label products, making it good leverage for retailers. But what is private labelling anyway? Privately labelled products are those manufactured by a third party manufacturer and sold under a retailer’s brand name. For example, L&P Global is a private label olive oil supplier, and we supply olive oil products according to the branding of our clients. This includes specifications, labelling, packaging etc.If you have a business that has to do with olive oil, then this article is for you. Read further and find out the benefits of getting privately labelled olive oil instead of reselling. Builds Branding Privately labelled products are done according to the specification request of the clients. This gives the opportunity for retailers to be creative in building the brand that they want.For example, if you are a spa owner, you can private label olive oil products like moisturizers and display them in your shop. Higher Profit Margins Compared to reselling, private label brand offers higher profit margins since it is direct from the manufacturers causing the cost basis to be lower. Another way to earn from private labelling is through wholesaling. By doing so, retail shops will have the opportunity. This will also help spread your brand to a wider market.Full control of the product Manufacturers work in accordance with the retailer’s direction. This means you have the full control of production, pricing, branding and most importantly, the profit. Common Private Labelling Issues Bulk order requirementsPurchasing privately labelled products need to be done in big quantity in order to compensate for the manufacturing cost. This is also the reason why it is cheaper – the larger your order, the lesser the price. That is why it is important that you are aware that you will be handling a large inventory when doing private labelling. Stuck up inventoryAnother issue when getting private labelled products is the stagnant inventory. This is when the products are not able to move. Unfortunately, you cannot return it to the manufacturer if it’s not moving, unlike with branded merchandise. Fortunately, here at L&P Global, we make sure that we only provide the best olive oil products to our clients, making sure that their customers are going to come back for more. As a private label/OEM olive oil supplier, our aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle by providing premium products to our customers including those who are in the retailing business. There are a lot of business opportunities using private label products. If you are interested in private labelling, contact us right away!

It is important to know how to correctly read and interpret the labels of foods and thus be more rigorous with what we eat, since sometimes they can cause confusion. What information can we find in the labeling of olive oil? How is it regulated? In this post we will make clear of all these topics.The mandatory information that must be included in the labeling of olive oil is: 1. Product category: We will go deeper into another post about the differences between each category of oil, since it depends on many factors, but it is important to know that VIRGEN EXTRA olive oil is of the highest quality, since it retains all the properties nutritional and beneficial for health, as well as an optimal taste and smell. Even so, there are other possible categories such as VIRGEN olive oil, olive oil or olive-pomace oil, depending on the extraction method and the degree of acidity. 2. Designation of origin. This indicates a geographical name where the oil has been made and where the olives have been harvested. 3. Date of minimum duration: That is not the same as expiration date. When a label says, ‘consume preferably before …’, as in the case of oil, it means that after that date the product no longer offers the full quality it should offer. It may have lost some of its organoleptic qualities (smell, taste …) or not be entirely satisfactory due to oxidation, but it does not mean that it has expired since this would imply that once the date is exceeded the product could cause damage to our health. All olive oils must have the date of preferential consumption on the label, and this is usually one year after the harvest generally. 4. Mandatory nutrition information: According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, it is mandatory to include certain nutritional information in the olive oil container, specifically the energy value (Kcal) and 6 nutrients (Total fat, Saturated fat, Hydrates of carbon, sugar, protein and salt). The labels must show the information for every 100 grams or milligrams and the quantities per serving can be added voluntarily. 5. Special storage conditions: This section describes how to properly store olive oil, normally in a cold, fresh and dry place … to maintain its organoleptic properties to the maximum. 6. Name or business name, as well as the address of the food business operator: It is not mandatory to state the manufacturer of a product, although many oils include in their labeling references such as ‘manufactured by’ ‘packed by’; etc to provide more information. 7. Optional labeling of olive oils: In this section you can put characteristics of each olive oil, for example, if you had the ‘first cold pressure’ or ‘cold extraction’. Also some characteristic of the flavor and the smell of the oil: intense, medium, light, balanced, sweet … and the indication of the acidity. To conclude, comment that a Spanish olive oil supplier can only present to the final consumer packages of five liters maximum, having to incorporate an opening system that loses its integrity after its first use and that is non-refillable when it is intended for consumption in hospitality industry.