We Moved to Spain From USA: 6 Everyday Differences We Didn't Get Until We Lived Here

Comments · 219

• JU

  @Juan_acosta-te2jk · 2 weeks ago

  In Spain (and much of Europe), eggs and milk are sold at room temperature in supermarket aisles due to scientific and regulatory reasons that differ from those in the U.S.—specifically regarding pre-treatment, natural protection or thermal processing, and the prevention of contamination or spoilage. This surprises many Americans, as both products are always kept refrigerated in the U.S. due to differences in industrial processing and food safety regulations.<br><br>Eggs: intact protective cuticle and avoidance of condensation<br>In Spain and the EU, Class A eggs (intended for direct consumption) are not industrially washed before sale. This practice is regulated (EC Regulation No. 589/2008 and equivalent Spanish standards) to preserve the cuticle: a thin, natural layer (resembling a varnish) that coats the porous shell (which contains 7,000 to 17,000 microscopic pores). The cuticle acts as a physical and antibacterial barrier against microorganisms like *Salmonella*, preventing them from penetrating the egg&apos;s interior.<br>In the U.S., eggs are required by law to be washed and sanitized with hot water and chemicals to remove dirt and surface bacteria. This washing process removes the cuticle, leaving the shell more vulnerable to subsequent contamination. Consequently, they must be refrigerated immediately (and kept cold) to limit bacterial growth and extend shelf life.<br><br>In Europe:<br>Sanitary control at the source (hen vaccination, farm hygiene, etc.) is prioritized over post-production washing.<br>Eggs are sold and transported at controlled room temperatures (typically between 5°C and 18°C) to avoid sudden temperature changes. If they were refrigerated in the supermarket and then exposed to heat (such as in a car or outdoors), condensation—or &quot;sweating&quot;—would form on the shell. This moisture damages or partially dissolves the cuticle, making it easier for bacteria to enter through the pores.<br>Supermarket aisles maintain relatively stable temperatures, preventing problematic fluctuations. &nbsp;Once at home, Spanish guidelines (from AESAN and experts) recommend keeping eggs constantly refrigerated—inside the fridge rather than in the door, and in their original packaging—to slow any potential bacterial growth, preserve quality (keeping the egg white denser and the yolk centered), and extend freshness. They should not be washed until just before use.<br><br>Milk: UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) treatment and aseptic packaging<br>Most milk sold in Spain (around 95%) is UHT (also known as ultra-pasteurized or long-life milk). It is heated to very high temperatures (≥ 135–150°C) for just 2–5 seconds and then rapidly cooled. This process eliminates virtually all microorganisms and spores, not just pathogens.<br><br>It is then packaged under aseptic (sterile) conditions in multilayer cartons (such as Tetra Pak) that protect against light, oxygen, and recontamination. As long as the package remains sealed and intact, the milk is microbiologically stable and can be stored at room temperature for months (typically 3–6 months or longer, depending on the &quot;best-before&quot; date).<br><br>In the US, HTST (High-Temperature Short-Time) pasteurization predominates (approx. 72°C for about 15 seconds). This eliminates major pathogens but not all bacteria or spores; consequently, the milk remains perishable and must be kept refrigerated at all times (with a shelf life of a few days to 1–2 weeks). UHT milk exists there but accounts for a small share of the market, partly due to taste preferences (it can have a slight &quot;cooked&quot; flavor) and consumption habits.<br><br>Pasteurized fresh milk is also available in Spain (in the refrigerated section), though it represents a smaller share of the market. Once a carton of UHT milk is opened, however, it must be refrigerated and consumed within a few days, just like fresh milk.

  41

• JO

  @joseluisjorge5382 · 2 weeks ago

  If you need another napkin, you can simply ask the waiter for one. We rarely use more than one, but you can ask for another if necessary. We don&apos;t water down our drinks here; we like them cold, straight from the fridge—or at most, with a couple of ice cubes to keep them chilled in the summer. <br>Most shops close on weekends, but that isn&apos;t the case for bars and restaurants, as this is when groups of friends and families tend to go out to eat; even if the stores in shopping malls are closed, the entertainment areas remain open.<br> <br>Here, between breakfast and the main meal of the day, we have a mid-morning snack—around 11:00 a.m.—which usually consists of a drink accompanied by a sandwich, a tapa, or whatever else you fancy. Between lunch and dinner, we also have an afternoon snack—around <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOuMjIryLTY&amp;t=300">5:00</a> or 6:00 p.m.—to tide us over until dinnertime. <br><br>Smoking rates have dropped in recent years; within the European context, Spain falls somewhere in the middle of the list of countries by smoking prevalence—we aren&apos;t the heaviest smokers on the continent.

  23

• NU

  @Nuria-f9v · 2 weeks ago

  Aprendan a comer.No coman cereales procesados.España es un buen país para aprender🙏

  24

• NI

  @nievescairos3721 · 2 weeks ago

  Yo vivo en España y almuerzo a las 2 y ceno a las 8. Yo creo que cada vez estamos &nbsp;cenando antes x salud. Hay vinos de todos los precios. España es tan diferente de de un lugar a otro

  11

• CA

  @CarmenRodriguez-ze2xg · 2 weeks ago

  Ma&apos;am, at Mercadona there is an option... because they sell their own brand—what we call &quot;white label&quot; or store brand here—where the supermarket pays companies to produce goods and puts the supermarket&apos;s own label on them. BUT if you want name brands, there are plenty of large supermarkets like Alcampo, Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, Hipercor, and Eroski that carry a wide range of brands. Then you have the city supermarkets like Mercadona, Lidl, and Aldi, which sell store brands and offer fewer options.

  9

• SA

  @sanddab4074 · 2 weeks ago

  Uff me parece que han llegado aún mas paisanos míos a España sin conocer casi nada del país. 🤦🏻‍♀️Andan despistados del horario, la comida y los costumbres. Supongo que no hablan nada de castellano también. Suerte a todos.

  18

• JA

  @javierhernandez784 · 13 days ago (edited)

  La comida en España es de 2 a 3 de la tarde y se suele cenar desde las 9 ó <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOuMjIryLTY&amp;t=570">9:30</a> en adelante

  2

• AL

  @ALf-mn3qe · 2 weeks ago

  As for bread in Spain, it lasts about a day before going stale. However, if you freeze it and put it in the air fryer for a few minutes with a little moisture, it turns out just like fresh-baked bread—and causes less of a glucose spike.

  8

• MC

  @MCoelloF · 2 weeks ago

  Hi, just fyi, in Spain we eat 5 times a day. Early breakfast 7-9am, &quot;Almuerzo&quot; (bocadillo, pincho tortilla, ración, etc and something to drink) around 11am. Lunch time is 2:30pm onwards. Then comes &quot;merienda&quot; 5-6pm (similar to &quot;almuerzo&quot;) and dinner around <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOuMjIryLTY&amp;t=570">9:30</a>-10 pm. On weekends and holidays, you can have a &quot;tapeo&quot; or &quot;aperitivo&quot;, this is, going out to different bars for some drinks and tapas before lunch time.

  15

• 3D

  @3Dechigo · 2 weeks ago

  Bienvenidos a España! Soy brasileño y vivo hace 20 años en Barcelona, mi madre y mi abuela son españolas, inmigraron a Brasil e yo he vuelto a su tierra. <br>Cualquier duda o sugerencia que necesitáis me podéis preguntar.<br>Saludos!

  10

• SA

  @SalvaJ3_GB · 2 weeks ago

  When you move to another country you must adapt your habits, not the contrary.<br>If you want to live like you live in the USA then you don&apos;t must to live out of there.

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• AG

  @agl5132 · 10 days ago

  An option is to carry a tote bag or backpack and have snacks and hand wipes. This will carry you over if you&apos;re hungry before the restaurants open, and hand wipes for wiping hands after meals.