What are tapas and where to try them. Tapas is a Spanish traditional snack
Spanish dishes are distinguished by sonorous short names and a taste that cannot be confused with any other. The Spaniards themselves are proud of the quality and variety of products that the fertile lands of this sunny country generously share. Those who come to Spain for the first time are unlikely to refuse the famous gazpacho soup or a special smoked gourmet ham - jamon. And certainly not to pass by the numerous bars and eateries, where along with wine or beer is served signature snack - tapas.
According to legend, tapas originated in the 13th century thanks to the decree of Alfonso the Wise. The king of León and Castile issued a law requiring the inns to serve snacks with alcohol, hoping to preserve the decorum of visitors and prevent aggression caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. Obedient owners of taverns began to bring jugs of strong drinks, covering them with a small snack. This is how the name "tapas" appeared, which in Spanish means "lid" - "tapa".
For most Spaniards, tapas are not just food, they are a way of life: moving from bar to bar, chatting with friends, meeting new people. And it's not about drinking wine and eating snacks, just such an open people - the Spaniards. They even came up with a term for them - tapear (taper - a tapas lover in the company). And how can you refuse tapas with marinated or grilled vegetables, classic jamon or chorizo (raw smoked sausage), potato or rice meatballs, pickled mushrooms, fried squid and mussels?
Incredibly popular are tortillas (the most common of them is a tortilla in which an omelette with potatoes is wrapped) and banderilla (a mini-barbecue with meat, seafood, vegetables, olives, etc.).
Tortilla, by the way, is considered the queen of tapas. This is the most beloved and versatile dish of the Spaniards - "from the poor to the kings." Spinach, jamon, tuna, peppers, onions, mushrooms and everything else that the chef's fantasy suggests are suitable as fillings. You can eat hot and cold, with salads, soups and even for dessert.
Arrange an incendiary tapas party - let the colors of hot Andalusia into your home!
Several tapas recipes
So, a few tapas recipes (they are no longer covered with jugs, but served on skewers, plates, in tortillas, and even on bread) for four cheerful amigos invited to visit:
- Shrimps in Spanish white wine. They need to be fried in vegetable oil (moderate fire, like the beginning of a Catalan sardana) with chopped garlic, dill and Tabasco sauce for one to two minutes. Then salt, add dry wine and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Chicken fillet with basil, tomatoes and green beans. Fry the fillet chilled and cut into small cubes in a hot frying pan until golden, like the Spanish sun, crust. Next to the bird, drip exactly 8 drops of Tabasco and mix a little later. Add the tomato pulp, salt and wait until the sauce thickens.
- Patatas bravas. Deep-fry potatoes cut into small cubes until tender, dry on a paper towel and lightly salt. Ground cumin, dry red paprika, mayonnaise, ketchup and wine vinegar, dilute a little with water and mix. Pour this sauce generously over the potatoes so that they look like the stones of the Costa Verde protruding from the sea waters.
- Pincho with jamon and parmesan. Mix chopped garlic, tomatoes, paprika and mushrooms, season with olive oil and mix. Spread eight slices of baguette with this “hellish” mixture, put jamon on top, sprinkle with parmesan and send to the oven as hot as jota.
- Tortilla. Pour the fried potatoes with onions with the egg-milk mixture, salt, pepper and fry until thick and golden brown. Then cover the pan with a large plate, use it to quickly turn the tortilla over and fry again until golden brown, but on the other side.
The final chord will be the legendary "Barcelona", which can be sung during the distribution of raincoats and mantillas to the guests.
With recipes, conjure as you like.
Tapas are cold or hot mini-snacks that are traditionally offered in Spanish bars with alcoholic drinks. The variety of such snacks in the country is very large. It can be a couple of olives or a full-fledged small and elegantly decorated dish.
How tapas was invented in Spain
When exactly Spanish tapas appeared, now no one will say. There are several theories on this. Some believe that in the old days, tapas literally protected alcohol from ... flies. That is why the appetizer was placed directly on a glass or jug of alcohol. Most often, bread or a piece of jamon was used for this purpose.
Other researchers are of the opinion that with the help of tapas, unscrupulous innkeepers "masked" the smell of bad wine. There is also a simpler explanation that concerns the wind: they say that tapas protect alcohol from it, they do not allow dust and sand to get into the glass.
There is also a playful legend according to which King Alfonso the Wise of Spain was very fond of wine. But it did not allow the monarch to maintain clarity of mind. So Alfonso began to drink wine along with a small snack that helped keep him from getting drunk. In order to maintain clarity of mind not only for himself, but also for his people, the king ordered all drinks to be served in taverns with a small snack. This quickly reduced the number of fights and accidents. Well, enriched with a new interesting dish.
Spanish favorite tapas
Modern tapas snacks amaze the imagination with their variety. It can be tiny canapés and large hearty sandwiches, slices of savory pies, mini-scrambled eggs, banderille skewers, pâté tubes or a micro salad served in a rosette. You can try tapas and feel what kind of dish it is in almost any institution in Spain. In Madrid bars, they cook especially tasty:
Alcachofas con anchoa(artichokes and anchovies) - this delicious low-calorie combination of anchovy fillet and artichoke core is often served with. In a well-salted fillet, the cooks add lemon juice and a little pepper, most often black.
Caracoles en salsa de tomate(grape snails in tomato sauce) - the snails are boiled and then dipped in a sauce made with tomatoes, peppers, almonds and cognac. The dish is served in a "retro" plate of the 19th century.
Pulpo a la gallega(octopus on a plank) - the delicacy is baked, seasoned with parsley and cut into small pieces and served on a rounded board.
Pimientos rellenos(pepper with minced meat) - for the preparation of appetizers, chefs use the "king" of Spanish peppers - del Piquillo. Cod is usually used as a filling.
La gamba con gabardine(shrimp, "dressed in a coat") - shrimp breaded in flour and fried, served with cold beer.
Matrimonio anchoa y boqueron(“marriage union” of anchovy with bokeron) - pickled anchovy (boqueron) is placed on the bottom, then covered with a slice of salted anchovy and pierced with a skewer with an olive strung on it. Red pepper is also sometimes added to the appetizer.
Ensalada de mariscos(seafood salad) - probably the most popular type of tapas: there are many options for preparing this Spanish dish. The basis of the salad are crab sticks, shrimps, lobsters. Vegetable slices or potato cubes are added to it. Topped with mayonnaise.
The Spaniards are also very fond of simple but tasty tapas: Almendras fritas (roasted almonds) and Patatas adadas (baked potato halves with sauce).
Where to find the best tapas in Madrid
To fully experience and understand what tapas is in Spain, you must definitely visit at least a few local establishments. Madrid has long been famous for tapas bars, where you can taste the most unusual Spanish snacks. True, more and more often visitors are offered to order them for a fee. The average cost of snacks is around 1.5-3 €. It all depends on the size: the larger the size, the more expensive.
The most original and delicious tapas in Madrid can be tasted at the following establishments.
Casa Alberto(C/Huertas, 18)
A tavern in which everything follows old traditions. For example, wine in this establishment is cooled not in the refrigerator, but in water. Casa Alberto has a sumptuous selection of snacks. Braised oxtails, shrimp and chorizo sausages stewed in cider are considered the "stars" of the menu.
Casa do Companeiro(C/San Vicente Ferrer, 44)
A cozy bar filled with a homely atmosphere. The menu is dominated by dishes to wine Galician cuisine. "Highlight of the program" - stew with beans.
Alambique(Plaza de la Encarnacion, 2)
This is a store whose feature is organic wine. Together with him, Alambique serves a sea of excellent tapas, such as jamon with truffles.
De 1911(Plazuela de San Gines, 5)
"Ancient" bar. Here you can taste "retro" tapas, which were popular in Spain at the beginning of the last century.
matritum(C/Cava Alta, 17)
Bar with wonderful Catalan wines and snacks: foie gras, oysters, squid. The cost of tapas is 6-16 €.
You can also find bars with free tapas in the capital of Spain. For example, La taberna de Antonio Sanchez (C / Meson de Paredes, 13), where one small snack is added to any ordered drink. The interior of the institution is entirely dedicated to bullfighting. And in El Tigre (Calle Infantas, 30), an ordered glass of beer for 2.5 € is accompanied by a medium-sized plate with several dishes: baked potatoes, chicken wings, jamon, cheese, turkey.
Features of the use of tapas
Anyone who wants to feel like a real Spaniard should remember a few good manners when ordering tapas. So, in the country it is customary to eat these snacks while standing, not sitting down. And in the evening it is advisable to visit at least 2-3 tapas bars - as they say, "dip". And, of course, tapas aren't tapas if those who eat them don't actively communicate and gesticulate.
In the "lobby" of Spanish bars, there is usually a plaque with a list of snacks and prices. The prices there are different - depending on the size and filling. In some tapas bars, the entire range of snacks is displayed under glass at the counter, and the printed menu simply does not exist. In this case, point to the dish you are interested in, and it will be brought to you.
Another subtlety concerns the way tapas are consumed. They can be eaten without cutlery and taken with your hands - no sidelong glances in your direction will follow. So feel free to go on a tapas tour of Spanish bars, and let it turn out to be unforgettable!
Tapas are a variety of small but hearty dishes that are great for a quick bite to eat, as well as snacks during lunch or a party with friends at a bar or at home. Tapas is made from everything: vegetables, cheese, fish, bread, meat and so on. The main thing is that snacks are of such a size that they can immediately fit in the mouth.
History of appearance
Tapas did not appear in Spanish cuisine immediately. The inhabitants of Spain love to tell legends about the appearance of this dish. For example, that the peasants supported their strength with wine and cheese or corned beef while working, or that once a certain innkeeper came across an unsuccessful batch of wine, and he decided to hide its taste by serving him free cheese and sausage. There are many options, but the most popular and most plausible among them are two.
According to one version, the tradition of such snacks was started by King Alfonso X, when doctors prescribed him several glasses of wine a day to maintain health. In order not to get drunk and keep a clear head, the king seized wine with a small amount of food. Subsequently, he issued a decree ordering innkeepers to serve wine only accompanied by a certain amount of food, so that the people, especially the soldiers of his royal majesty, would not get drunk. Of course, the owners of the taverns did not like that they were subjected to such a gastronomic tax, so they contrived and began to serve as much food as could fit on a mug.
According to another version, another king, Alfonso XIII, who somehow went into a tavern and asked for wine, had a hand in creating tapas. The day was hot, dust hung in the air and clouds of insects frolicked. So that there would be no unauthorized items in the wine, the glass for the king was covered with a slice of ham. The king liked this serving: you can immediately drink and have a snack, and he made it a tradition. "Tapa" is Spanish for "cover". Since then, jugs of wine in taverns have been served covered with slices of ham, bread, cheese, etc. Over time, edible lids have been replaced by regular plates, but the tradition of serving drinks along with snacks has survived. Appetizers were transformed into an independent dish. Now it can be olives, small sandwiches with different fillings, paella, tortilla, cheese, vegetables, mushrooms and so on.
Tapas atmosphere
Thus, in the Spanish dictionary for "tapas" a new meaning appeared - a light snack served with wine or beer. Tapas have become very popular in Spain, moreover, they have become a symbol of Spanish cuisine. Residents of sunny Spain adore gatherings in a bar with family and friends with drinks and a variety of tapas: portions are easy to share among themselves. The atmosphere in tapas bars is always very cheerful, friendly and relaxed: what a tired person needs after a working day. Each bar tries to stand out from the rest and serves its own set of tapas.
Tapas is taken so seriously in Spain that they regularly hold festivals and competitions dedicated to tapas. All establishments take part in the competition, from the smallest cafes with two tables and a bar to serious restaurants where a famous chef conjures over the tapas menu, inventing more and more new combinations for snacks.
Types of tapas:
Hot or cold tapas are a variety of dishes served in small portions on small clay plates.
Montaditos - small closed sandwiches with filling, the filling can be very diverse.
Pichos - a piece of bread, with cheese, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and other snacks, chopped on skewers.
In Spain, you can get tapas at any time of the day, in many establishments snacks are served free of charge with wine or beer.
What is "tapas"? This custom surprises foreigners, but is the norm not only for Spaniards, but also for most Europeans. "Tapas" are snacks served with drinks (alcoholic or not) in bars and restaurants at any time, even when the main kitchen is closed.
A bit of history or local legends
The very word tapa (tapa) translates as "lid". Its name is rooted in the past, there are several versions of the origin of this interesting custom. One of the most famous refers to XIII century, the era of the reign of Alfonso X the Wise. It is said that the doctor prescribed him as a cure several sips of wine during the day, and to avoid the alcoholic effect, this treatment was accompanied by small snacks.
Another legend says that during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, the serving of snacks (ham, cheese or whatever is in the tavern) was supposed to prevent the alcoholic effect of visitors (most of whom were cab drivers) and was mandatory to reduce the number of accidents on the road.
The third version says that the very name "lid" occurred during the journey of the Catholic Monarchs to Cadiz. There were a large number of flies in the tavern where they stopped, and the monarch Ferdinand II of Aragon asked for a piece of ham to cover his glass. The innkeeper gave it to him with the words "Here is your cover, your majesty." This custom gained popularity in Andalusia, where, due to the heat and poor hygiene, taverns and inns were always full of flies and dust.
Tapas today
Over the centuries, the tradition of "snacking" has firmly entered Spanish culture. What is tapear or ir de tapas today? For the Spaniards it not just a form of snacking before lunch or before dinner. This is some symbol of social life And food simultaneously. Spaniards don't party at home, bars are the perfect place to meet friends. What bar to choose? Almost everyone has their own specialization in served snacks.
Pinchos and tapas, what's the difference?
The main Spanish snacks are of two types:
- Pinchos "pinchos,pintxos" are small snacks that are similar to canapés, but larger. This individual servings, in most cases they are made in the form of sandwiches, where goodies are sometimes fixed on top with a spike stick, or it can be vegetables and olives on a skewer. The very name "pincho" comes from the verb "pinchar" - to pierce, to pierce. This may not only be sandwiches, but also different types of meat or seafood. Usually, the snacks themselves are located right under the glass on the bar counter, you only indicate to the waiter what you have chosen, or take it yourself.
Basque country or their traditional restaurants throughout Spain offer the widest selection varieties of this type of snacks, the only drawback, perhaps, is only their price. Traveling in Spain, you can try "pintxos" for free V Castile Leon or Andalusia. In these zones, very often, an appetizer is free with every drink order, which is a kind of compliment of the bar to its visitor. There are even bars that, with their free snacks, attract people without even having their own restaurant: only a bar and a choice of 30-40 types of snacks! But if in Castile-Leon the pintxo size itself is small and offset by the variety, Andalusia will amaze you with the portion size of this pintxo and less choice, unfortunately.
- "Tapas" (tapas) are appetizers served as prepared cold or hot dish. Unlike "pintxos", this dish implies "para compartir", which means "to share" in Spanish. The key point is that in order to take a piece you pierce it with a toothpick! Usually ordered no more than one "tapa" for two people. If "pinchos" are more like a light snack, then a couple of "tapas" may well replace your dinner.
How much does it cost and where can you try it?
The price of snacks can vary from 1 euro for a "pincho" (sandwich or skewer) to 15-25 euros for a starter in the form of a ready-made dish (for example, sepia on the grill, croquettes or shrimp in a garlic-olive sauce).
Where can you try tapas? Everywhere! In Spain there are hundreds of different recipes and forms of their preparation. We recommend that you clarify what is a typical snack of the region. In Madrid it fried squid, in Seville - salmorejo, in Galicia - seafood, and in the Canary Islands it is fried cheese and small octopuses cooked on the grill.
Tapas have become a symbol of Spanish gastronomy. The most famous chefs are fighting to come up with the most exquisite and original appetizer. Tourists from all over the world visiting Spain do not deny the opportunity to indulge in these varied dishes.
The Spaniards call tapas "the real queens of Spanish cuisine". But how did they appear and what path did they go through to become what they are now.
No one will tell you the date or the exact place where tapas first appeared.
Literally translated from Spanish, the word "tapa" means "lid".
The Spaniards love to tell different legends about how these snacks appeared. Among the many of these stories, the main motifs can be distinguished.
The most popular version tells how King Alfonso XIII was served a glass of wine in a tavern, and to prevent dust and small insects from getting into the drink, the waiter covered the glass with a thin slice of ham. The king really liked this way of serving drinks + snacks and he introduced this custom among his subjects.
Another story is connected with King Alfonso X the Wise. Doctors ordered him to drink a glass of wine several times a day so that his head remained clear, the king drank wine, accompanied by small portions of food. Subsequently, according to his decree, wine and small snacks began to be served in taverns and bars, this was done to reduce the number of drunken visitors.
A similar story is associated with the era of the reign of the Catholic Kings, when a law was issued obliging innkeepers to include a small snack in the price of a drink so that visitors would not get drunk and rowdy.
Other theories say that the origin of tapas is associated with peasants who, to keep up their strength while working, drank a glass of wine with a small amount of food (usually it was cheese or corned beef).
There is also a story about an enterprising tavern owner who came across a bad batch of wine and, to mask the taste, began to serve it with small slices of cheese and pieces of sausage.
Be that as it may, the Spanish language has a new meaning of the word "Tapas" - "a light snack served with beer or wine", and a new expression "ir a tapear", which can be translated as "to go eat tapas". It has become one of the most favorite pastimes of the Spaniards: go to a bar with a group of friends or relatives, or even whole families, order drinks and branded tapas, small portions are easy to share with each other. The atmosphere of the taps bar is conducive to a cheerful friendly conversation and relaxation after a hard day. Usually, the business is not limited to visiting only one institution, and visitors move from bar to bar, trying a variety of snacks, because each bar has its own specialty.
Spaniards love lively, noisy bars and prefer to eat tapas right behind the bar without any extra ceremony, the very essence of ir de tapas is to relax, unwind, enjoy the conversation and the atmosphere.
Types of tapas
There are a lot of them, the main requirement is that the portion should be small.
There are several main types of Spanish tapas:
Usually such bars work on the principle of "self-service": you go to the bar, pick up the pintxos you like, note that toothpicks can be of different sizes, the cost will depend on this. To pay for the order, you go to the cashier and the number of bisonists left on your plate is calculated.
The best tapas bar in Barcelona
They are located at some distance from the usual tourist routes, but if you wish, finding them will not be a big problem.
Their distinctive feature is a modest interior, the menu is only in Spanish / Catalan, a huge number of visitors.
Quimet & Quimet
Address: Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25, 08004 Barcelona
One of the oldest bars in Barcelona, the establishment is very tiny, it also combines a wine cellar. In addition to traditional fresh tapas, there is also an excellent selection of wines.
Cal Pep
Address: Plaça de les Olles, 8, 08003 Barcelona
One of the best establishments in Barcelona, the place is so popular with the locals that you have to queue in order to get there. Famous for its seafood tapas. The signature dish tartare. The service is beyond praise. There is no menu here, all dishes are ordered exclusively on the recommendation of the staff.
Los Toreros
Address: Calle de Xucla, 5
This modest, at first glance, bar-restaurant offers an amazing selection of tapas at very affordable prices.
100 montaditos
A network of establishments where you can enjoy classic Spanish montaditos for a very reasonable price, moreover, on Wednesdays and Sundays there is a promotion when any sandwich or snack costs only 1 €.
Addresses of 100 montaditos in Barcelona
- Av. del Parallel, 69
- Rambla del Raval, 41
- Carrer de Pau Claris, 68
- Calle de Sants, 32
- Carrer d'Aribau, 242
It is not necessary to look for special bars, you will be offered almost all snacks in any bar. Prices and quality can vary greatly.
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