Spain’s LEGENDARY Onion Festival | Calçots in Catalonia

Spain is full of incredible festivals. And I'd long wanted to visit this one, in Valls, Tarragona, which is held in honour of perhaps the world's most celebrated onion. Venga, let’s go!
Info about the festival festacalcotadavalls.cat/
My exporter friend Oscar runs www.calsots.com/
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⏩ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:56 Getting in with the locals
03:18 The story of calçots
04:05 The calçot boom
5:08 The world's best-grown calçot
06:52 The world's best calçot sauce
09:11 The winner farmer
10:04 What I'm learning
11:30 The World's Calçot Eating Competition
14:42 I must eat a calçot!
18:25 My thoughts...
WHO ARE WE? 🥝
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Hola, Spain lovers! We're James and Yoly. James is a New Zealander, and Yoly is from Spain. And we both live in Madrid. This channel is all about giving you a local insight into life in Spain, and helping you experience this country like a local when you come to visit (or live!). If that sounds like your kind of thing, bienvenido!
*This description contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you use them 🙏🏻

[@MYTravelBF]

We love that you're showing more of these small festivals in parts of Spain that tourists traditionally don't see, as these are some of the things that truly make Spain unique! We can't wait to try calçots in the future! Thanks as always, James!

[@martatrujillo4104]

La cabezona del video es la imagen de la lotería catalana llamada "La Grossa" (el gordo). Es una lotería que venden números para Sant Jordi y Navidad.

[@MisterExciting]

About the woman with the big head on her, its a catalan tradition too. This one in particular is the image of the catalan lotery.They are called capgrossos, wich means big/fat heads. They usually are the companions of,yet another catalan tradition, els gegants wich means the giants. Almost every city and town in catalunya had their own giants and capgrossos and they show up in the local festivities. Great channel btw.

[@Outspoken.Humanist]

Oh man that took me back. I lived in Lleida (Lerida) for 5 years back in the early 80's and I went to all the festivals in the area. Vals was great and this video brought back wonderful memories but my fave was, of course, l’Aplec del Caragol en Lleida, the snail festival. It runs for 3 days and this year it begins on 2nd June. You really must go. xx

[@spainrevealed]

Sounds like a great festival Paul. Noted down! I hope you're well!

[@mizginavale22]

Spaniards really know how to have fun !!! I saw it in the market here in Valencia yesterday and I had never seen before. It looked like a huge scallion and now, I am curious to eat it. I really applaud you for being in the middle of everything, including the sauce tasting. This video is just like a documentary about this festival. Ole!

[@spainrevealed]

Glad you enjoyed it Gina! And yes, it was great to get amongst it all!

[@AdriaOliSal]

That woman with the big head is a Capgross, a traditional catalan figure representing some important personality of the village or the country. In this case, this was Roser Arena's capgros, that's used to promote the catalan winter and summer lotteries, called La Grossa (Similar to the spanish El Gordo de navidad).

[@MLCruey]

In the mountains of Virginia, we have a wild garlic called a ramp. They have a ramp festival each Spring.

[@pedrosmith221]

We have great cuisine in Spain 😊

[@testaddict]

Wow! You should make more of this festival videos! Amazing production!

[@aseuvella6102]

Beautiful Spain

[@hsavietto]

How not to love Spain, right?

[@Notsoquick]

That’s not Spain, it’s Catalonia

[@hsavietto]

@@Notsoquick drive.google.com/file/d/1m6L-vYAYratc0UTRUTElTAk9b6I3zRtz/view?usp=drive_link

[@rafaelparra2237]

​@@Notsoquickesto es y será España siempre

[@porculizador]

Your videos feel like a documentary sometimes... They get better and better. I want to eat calçots now! 😋

[@eduprado8155]

Your final conclusion is very right. In Spain we have local traditions in wich we celebrate weird or insignificant things because in the end that's not the main thing. The main thing is join all the people together and share in order to celebrate (and exalt) their community identity. Thats is what really make sense.

[@spainrevealed]

Totally! I love it!

[@lauramartin-bk9nr]

*MAIN thing

[@kokorospirit5006]

6:43 Best use of ever of a Palmer's micrometer device! :)

[@python-programming]

My wife and I have been watching your videos while we travel in Spain for 2 months. This is one of my favorite videos of yours!!

[@RichardLeeOwensJr]

Hey there, I happened on your videos and now have seen a few. I’ve been living in Barcelona for over 20 years, married to a Catalan woman. The calçotada is one of our favorite fiestas. We take full advantage of the season every year, going to at least 3-4 every year. I think you’ve done a great job showing what it’s all about. If you’re ever back this way snd you want to meet up, give me a shout! I’m an American but know New Zealand quite well as I used to work on the Ice! Still have many friends who live there.

[@jetfowl]

I love these onions. Just watching this video has made me so very hungry. And there's no calcots here to eat. 🤤

[@arnauorengoguardiola1616]

I just went to a calçotada and you really covered all the topics, such a good video! Some catalan pronunciation tips: the 'll' is almost like the spanish one (though not exactly the same), so it should be Valls and not Vals, so it kind of sounds like 'Byes'. And the 'ny' is like the ñ. Keep up the good work, I recently discovered your channel and you're a good storyteller and editor.

[@miriamO212]

Loved all of the commentary from the locals!

[@josephfranklin7711]

Such a great video. Thank you!!!

[@hypnosisforhappiness]

I am a Spaniard living in Australia. I loved the video and your final reflection. This type of festival is something I would always steer clear of, but somehow you manage to make some sense of it, well done! 🎇

[@jonathangarza3386]

This brings back memories of the first time I saw anything about calcots. It was on No Reservation. Anthony Bourdain was at a farm in the Catalonian countryside.

[@povl55]

Great storytelling, thank you!

[@tallie2234]

So glad I caught this video before I went to Catalonia! This was posted literally a few days before I went and I made sure I bought some calçot and the sauce when I went. Great video and I agree that calçot are delicious!!

[@davidmmm]

What a report James, one of your finest. Congrats.

[@SOCO1992]

Your videos are so joyful! Thank you! ❤

[@DavidGNI]

Loved this one. Thanks James and Yolly.

[@TheWanderer03]

You are amazing! Keep up with your videos !

[@radhakmartin]

I live in Barcelona now, and i went to Platja d’Aro with my cousin’s family for the carnaval parade. It was so fun! My cousin’s husband cooked us calcots, and I got to try it for the first time. It was really good! I am officially a fan.

[@michaelcarey8491]

The woman with the "big head"is the woman from La Grossa(the catalan equivalent of El Gordo. On a smaller scale. She is the image of the Catalan lottery

[@spainrevealed]

Ahhh, yes. Someone may have mentioned that. Thanks!

[@basajaunnn]

Always a good day when you upload!!!

[@Solo_Traveling]

'That woman', is called La Grossa. It's the symbol of the catalan lotery system.

[@wecantstayput4958]

James, this is one of your best videos. Excellent content-I loved it. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@TheOnlyTaps]

🙏🏿 great watch as always

[@Hokipoki4u]

so cool. Loved the vid!

[@NunoSanches]

Incredible video. So beautiful. Thank you.

[@aranzamunoz846]

Loved this so much.

[@mitcoes]

Huge congratulations, one of your best videos, it could be a documentary series chapter about "Spanish fairs by Spain Revealed". I hope one day you will come to the "Feria del tomate del Perelló", - and film it - that is my favorite tomato, and one of its activities is several restaurants nearby making special tomato menus or dishes.

[@spainrevealed]

Gracias Miguel :) Tomato festival sounds great.

[@leidzikowski5828]

Thank for such colorful videos of Spain! I've been watching LOTS OF THEM recently, since we're planning to TRAVEL to Spain 👋💜

[@TheBrian7872]

I just tried my first calcots in a restaurant few days ago. I knew it's the season but had no idea about the festival! Thanks for the video, great vibe

[@Emy53]

That sauce has to be amazing.

[@marcgarrigosmane166]

It is

[@marcgarrigosmane166]

And healthy

[@christinecleavest9099]

So good, I put it on everything.😊

[@sirseedott4436]

It revived my aunt

[@mebs04]

Oh my!! Can't believe you guys came to my town!!!!!! Great video!

[@elainehowell7220]

I live in Malaga and love your videos. We buy these 'onions' in our vegetable market. I put them into so many dishes. Especially great on the barbeque with fat pork chops.

[@christopherwright8600]

Brilliant video James. I live in Madrid, but love travelling and discovering new places in Spain and your videos help a lot. :) I'm not a real foodie, but the mix of food, history and sociology make your videos about Spain fascinating and tasty to be fair ;)

[@user-rv6pe9ru5z]

4:59 소중한 추억을 영상으로 남겨주셔서 고맙습니다.

[@jordanmoran1983]

This looks amazing and is exactly the kind of thing I want to see when I'm next in Catalonia

[@meitald9251]

AMAZING! thank you:)

[@JordiMasque-xu2ew]

Buenas, me gusta mucho el video, además salimos en él. Somos los del restaurante de la mesa de atrás, que teniamos un niño pequeño.

[@spainrevealed]

Hola Jordi!! Gracias por ayudarnos a comer los calcots de manera correcta!

[@QuincyResto]

Excelente Video

[@caralichtenfeld3956]

Thank you for the interesting video!!

[@sancho6857]

❤very cute and good video done with passion… con le corazón. And all the best for your young family

[@charouteinlondon1523]

Amazing this will be on my bucket list for next year festival!

[@apsaps3651]

James , fenomenal video Lo mas importante de tus videos es como te integras y disfrutas de lo que muestras Salud y suerte

[@IRSA1]

Wonderful tradition .

[@bobliljenquist9860]

¡Qué interesante! Nunca he sabido de eso y vivimos en Sitges, cerquita. Tendremos que visitar y probar los calçots y las salsas.

[@lajosmurtra6016]

No sabes lo que te pierdes.

[@Chronomatrix]

Btw the big head woman is the 'mascot' of 'La Grossa' which is basically Catalunya's lottery.

[@Ana-Maria-Sierra]

I love it! ❤

[@billb5625]

Thanks again James and Yoli, I'm presently in NZ ( Waiheke Island) at my son's house but still enjoy all your videos.. Gracias.

[@dumabel3351]

I want to travel to Spain more and more，thank you for this brilliant video👍🏻

[@notorio666]

Great video. Saludos desde Londres!

[@martinryan1071]

Brilliant!

[@johnwelch5132]

Wonderful as always. Baby jumping is a new one for me😂

[@elisaproctor3666]

Putting this on my list of things to eat when I get there!!!

[@Olguis76]

Loved your video, James and Yoli!! I've discovered your channel today, and I'm binge watching! I really like to see your view of Spain, as an expat, and husband of a Spanish lady. You seem a really nice and cute couple! I am a woman from Barcelona (just asked to join your Facebook community), but I've been living in Iceland since 2006, as I am married to an Icelander. The Catalan community in Iceland, some years celebrate calçotades. How fanny, when I was young, I never wanted to even taste calçots, as I hated their smell; anyway, I did tasted them for the first time here in Iceland, and now I love them 🤤! Pity that we cannot always get them from Valls, so some years we cannot have calçotada (like this year) 😢 Please, keep up with your cool videos. Warm vibes from Iceland!! ☺

[@umdcaps]

I'd love to go to this festival someday. Like many of us across the pond, Anthony Bourdain introduced us to calcots when he toured Catalonia with Albert Adria in No Reservations.

[@peterduffproject]

Great stuff, I live in Galicia and had a feed, the festivals be crazy...

[@miguellopezgarcia6292]

James and Yolly…perfect combination!Love your videos y saludos desde Alemania 🇩🇪

[@AncientMysteriesAndInnovations]

Missed you guys

[@sheilakerr-jones4345]

These are my absolute favourite way to eat them! OMG! Delicioso!

[@Emy53]

I miss you guys. I am always so excited to see your videos. By mid spring, I will be planning my itinerary for this year. I have been focusing on the Andalusia area but I am considering heading north for a few days.

[@spainrevealed]

Awesome Amelia!

[@lajosmurtra6016]

Dont go in summer is hot as hell, first half of spring, and 2 half of autumn for best temperature. I live in Sevilla.

[@caroleloomis1430]

The sauce reminds me of Romesco. Thanks for sharing this!

[@Olguis76]

It is Romesco 👍☺

[@LouieLibbyDove]

So fun!! Thanks for sharing the experience I love Spain!

[@JoseRodriguez-yf2rd]

Everything time that lady with the carticure head appeared and the strange music came on, I died laughing...

[@britslivinginspain]

Yet another fantastic reason for living in Spain- thanks for the heads up on something we hadn't heard about 👍

[@mrsupjohn4991]

One for the vegans. The hazelnut and garlic sauce looks yummy too. 😋

[@Cantetinza17]

I'm not even a huge onion fan, but I love making my scallions by grilling them. I love to marinate them and then grill them! So Good! I know they don't marinate, but I do.

[@sylvesterpalermo937]

Even if you could attempt to grow them in your local area it is unlikely that it will taste the same. Not only the species but the terroire is important. In south Georgia they grow Vidalia onions. The soil is the reason that they are sweet. I would suspect something similar occurs here.

[@spainrevealed]

Yeah, the soil is important!

[@juvenalsdad4175]

Excellent video. It captured the enthusiasm and that slight sense of silliness (in a good way) that these festivals have very well.

[@carloscecilio7725]

I ate calçots in Gava near Barcelona , I LOVED them but without the romesco sauce. The sauce overpowers the delicious taste of pure calçots I find.

[@michaelcarey8491]

It's all about the sauce

[@Trackhealing]

Estupendo pero el sonido mejorable.Gracias James

[@spainrevealed]

Ya - es verdad. Me ha costado equilibrar los niveles entre conversaciones y gritos. Lo voy a mejorar!

[@enriquerocco1140]

I went to Spain last year after watching many videos thanks to this guy .. Spain = España 🇪🇸 Is the most beautiful and Wondering Country ever seen in my life ..I am 75...what a great country .. I would return back one and a thousand times to España ...long live Spain 🇪🇸 Viva España !!!! Coño!!! Oleee!!!

[@smelly_spaghetti]

Cool onions, bro 👍

[@barbarajefferson4672]

Thank you for the interesting and fun video. Had never heard of this celebration before! We need the fun these days!

[@spainrevealed]

Glad you enjoted it Barbara :)

[@rictobal]

You're killing me James!!! :) Calçots are one of my all-time favorite foods. You made me salivate watching the entire program. Great job!!! Cheers, my friend!

[@susanroberts1611]

Thanks for the video! I was surprised to see it but so glad I am a member. In exactly one week I will be making my second solo trip to Madrid for a long weekend and I am so excited! In the summer we will be traveling to San Sebastián! At the moment my life is all about my trips to Spain…. Planning, eating and reminiscing

[@spainrevealed]

So exciting!!

[@anthonythompsondiaz277]

The first woman "Agafa aquest..." And then spoke in Spanish. Well he did greet with a bon dia and she was probably like what does he want me to speak in haha

[@MrScout15]

I think the lady who you asked for a café is also the lady that was judging the Romanesca sauce. 😊

[@yeseniadeleon6576]

Hahahah awww james your so funny how you learn from the festival and than you teach your lady yoli, and tell her "dont peel it like a bannana" 😅😅 yall are the best!! And bby olivia also ❤🎉

[@Lucascendancy]

That's a lesson in living!

[@s.t.pebble8018]

Fun vlog about the calcot. Who knew onions could be so festive 🎉

[@peter_bazinet]

I am SOOOOO hungry now. What a fun time.

[@robertmeredith906]

Another great experience to consider when next we return to Spain. Thanks guys Also, is Lucia always that quiet?

[@IntrepidIanRinon]

James: "Oh wow, you've done this before." Yoly: "I have, actually." I would just pretend it's something wholesome... hahahahahaha

[@Chronomatrix]

I looove calçots, those who have not tasted them have no idea how delicious it is.

[@friedtoaster4059]

Fun fact: great big story was also there filming the same event

[@BartMolkenboer]

Really awesome event, love it that everything in Spain is about food and togetherness! Something us Dutch people could learn from big times 😂

[@danirial6487]

Catalonia is not exactly Spain...

[@xispaster]

@@danirial6487 .....Is a part of Spain.

[@danirial6487]

@@xispaster It is ....yet

[@BartMolkenboer]

@@danirial6487 Your right it's belgium..

[@Mjeni1]

In my country we grow them and they are alot too

[@arizonawut]

Thanks for the great videos James! My wife and I are visiting Madrid for a week starting May 2. I found out that there are Dos de Mayo celebrations happening but haven't had much luck finding information about them. Any insights? Muchimas Geacias!

[@spainrevealed]

Probably too early for info. I suspect you'll say seeing info in March, maybe late March

[@bertieb9510]

A real fun video. And great production values too.Very professional. You really feel the atmosphere. I wish I could have been there.

[@spainrevealed]

Cheers Bertie :)