Cannelle, Vallehermoso Market

Maria Jesús swapped the world of IT for the over 200 aromas that fill her shop—a business which is big and still growing—where her products are known for their specialty ranges and their high-quality varieties. And, although she also stocks teas, infusions, jam, honey, jellies, and other flavors from all over the world, her star item is “merken,” a hot spice that she discovered while living in Chile. It was made by the Native Americans using a type of bell pepper known as “cacho cabra” which they smoked, ground, and mixed with ground coriander seeds.

A feature of Madrid’s Chamberí neighborhood since 1933, the Vallehermoso Market’s raison d’etre is the same as when it first opened its doors to the public: selling quality products. However, today it does so under a new business model in which customers can not only shop there, but also go out for tapas, lunch, or dinner at one of its many catering outlets.