Nicotalks: Ramón Muñoz

Welcome to Nicotalks, a new series where we get to know some of our favorite Nicolovers a little better.

We’re kicking things off with Ramón Muñoz, CEO of Conservas Nicola, who—since childhood—dreamed of sharing the homemade sofritos his grandparents used to make with the world.

What inspired you to embark on this new adventure?

We wanted to bring real, wholesome flavor to the world through preserves. We wanted something that reminded us of those sofritos our grandparents used to make—where you could see the chopped vegetables and taste that genuine home-cooked flavor.

That’s what we aim to offer through our products: sofritos that are full of flavor, with visible, vibrant vegetables you can actually savor.

We also wanted to make better use of our company’s resources. At Manipulados Nicola, we process nearly 20 million vegetables a year. But sometimes, due to seasonal surpluses or fluctuating demand, some produce went to waste or had to be redirected to animal feed.

That’s when we decided to revive these four traditional canned recipes—while doing something different from what’s typically on the market.

How would you describe the taste and texture of Conservas Nicola?

Authentic and traditional. To me, it’s the closest thing to a homemade sofrito—just like the ones my mother or grandmother used to make.

What part of your family legacy are you most proud to preserve?

Doing things well, and always treating others with respect—those are the values our elders passed down to us. That’s what it’s all about. Putting passion, respect, and love into everything we do, valuing what we have, and honoring the legacy of our parents and grandparents.

What influence has your father had on you?

My father is everything to me—my hands and my feet. We wouldn’t be here today without him. He taught me to appreciate what we have in each moment, to respect everything around us, and of course, to respect ourselves.

Thanks to him, I’m here today. None of this would’ve been possible without him.

What’s your favorite recipe? And your kids’?

Mine is definitely the fried tomato with vegetables—I always wipe the plate clean.
As for my kids? They love our classic fried tomato. They say, “Dad’s tomato is the best in the world.” And, well… kids never lie!

Do you like to cook? Any recipes you’re good at?

It’s not that I don’t like cooking… it’s just that my wife is such a fantastic cook, I don’t want to compete! She always surprises us with the most delicious, creative meals.

What’s your fondest memory of your grandparents?

I have many, but the ones that really stand out are those big family meals where my grandmother made her famous cocido con pelotas. Spending time with family around the table—that was the best.

What role did your grandparents play in your childhood?

I wish I could’ve spent more time with them, but we lived in Las Torres de Cotillas, and they were in Murcia. So I only got to see them on weekends or holidays.

But even in that limited time, they had a big impact. They taught me the importance of respecting our elders and being grateful for everything they do for us.

What message would you like to pass down to your future grandchildren?

Hopefully, they’ll be reading this many, many years from now—and hopefully, I’ll be around to see it too! (laughs)

But honestly, just what I tell my own kids now: whatever you do in life, if you approach it with love, respect, and a whole lot of effort, you can achieve it.

And most importantly—do what makes you happy. That’s the key. Find joy in what you do.

We hope you enjoyed this first interview in the Nicotalks series. Stay tuned to our social media—more conversations are on the way.