All About Tapas

What is tapas? - Where did it originate? - What does the word tapas mean?

This article was sent to me by Steve and Carole at Proper-Spanish-Tapas.com. Their website describes the history of this famous Spanish cuisine and provides recipes, ingredients, cooking methods, and lore. This is a great start if you want to learn more about Tapas.

What is tapas?

Tapas is a small snack or appetizer served with a drink or two at lunchtime or early evening before the main meal. The Spanish generally wouldn't drink without eating something, and originally, these small snacks were given free to anyone who bought a drink. Now, almost all bars charge for anything other than maybe a bowl of olives.

The Origins

The origins of tapas are the subject of many arguments in the local bar. (It depends on which area of Spain you are from!) It is said that the first Tapas was simply a hunk of bread placed over the glass to keep the flies out. Hence, the word ‘tapas’ was born.

Tapa means ‘cover’ or ‘lid.’ In the beginning, somewhere must have been the humble olive. What better accompaniment to a glass of dry fino sherry? Or perhaps some almonds fried in olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and served while still hot? These are the original tapas, the simplest foods requiring little or no preparation. As the tradition developed, tapas became more of an elaborate event, with each region developing its specialties. They were still 'little dishes', but the personalities of thousands of bar owners have stamped them with the identities that they have today.

Such is the diversity of tapas in bars all over Spain and the world; you can order virtually anything that suits your fancy. The choice is yours, from an exotically-flavored, spicy Moorish dish to a simple bowl of olives. But oh, my friend, what a choice it is! How about a plate of succulent, wafer-thin serrano ham or jamon iberico slices?

If you haven’t tried this yet, you have missed out on one of life’s gastronomic pleasures. It truly is heaven on a small plate! A glass of Manzanilla sherry with some salty and nutty Manchego cheese is very popular with the Spanish locals. It doesn’t come much simpler, and it takes some serious beating. All these wonderful flavors, and we haven’t even started cooking yet!

Types of Tapas

Spain's landscape is extremely diverse and covers areas such as mountain ranges and dusty plains, olive and fruit groves, fertile orchards, and rich arable lands. Spain also has climate extremes: regions that are cold and wet, regions that are hot and dry, and just about everything in between. It has a huge coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is hardly surprising that its coastal regions' cuisine is heavily based on fish and seafood.

The northern coastal regions have fish and seafood from the Atlantic Ocean and some of Spain's finest cattle, sheep, and dairy foods. The climate here is relatively cold and wet, so recipes are hearty, warm, and filling. The hot southern coastal region is the land of olives, olive oil, and sizzling fried fish from around the long coastline.

The food of the eastern coast is exciting and richly varied. There are groves of oranges and almonds, large market gardens, rice fields, aromatic herbs, and noticeable similarities with French Mediterranean food. The western and central areas are lands of hardy countrymen, lamb and pig roasts, and simple, hearty cooking with many stew-type dishes. Also, Spain's best-known cheese, Manchego, and many other sheep's milk cheeses come from here.

Are there Holiday Tapas?

There are no particular special holiday tapas dishes. They are served all year round in the same form.

History

Tapas has evolved throughout history by incorporating many ingredients and influences from different cultures and countries. The Romans invaded the East Coast and introduced olive and irrigation methods.

The invasion of the North African Moors in the 8th century also brought olives, almonds, citrus fruits, and fragrant spices to the south. The influences of their 700-year occupation remain today, especially in Andalucia. The discovery of the New World brought with it the introduction of tomatoes, sweet peppers (capsicums), chili peppers, beans, and potatoes. These were readily accepted and easily grown in Spain's ideal microclimates.

Ingredients

Spanish food, especially tapas, is based on simple methods and the imaginative use of seasonal vegetables and local ingredients. You can make your tapas with anything you like; no ingredients are specific to tapas. However, to fully experience Spanish tapas at its best, you should try a few of the classic dishes like tortilla (omelet), albondigas (meatballs), and calamari (squid). Tapas is hearty and unpretentious. Ingredients are fresh, flavors are robust, and recipes are easy. Preparation and presentation are straightforward.

Why do they eat this way?

Tapas is a style of eating rather than a form of cooking. It means sociability, friends, and family. People of a like mind like to talk and drink in a relaxed atmosphere while nibbling away on little bites of intense flavor. You can keep it simple or make it as complicated as you like, but whichever way you prefer, tapas is best served with an early evening drink among friends and lively company.

You will not, I promise you, find a more pleasurable and flavor-filled experience anywhere in the world. These 'little dishes' will give you a tasty little mouthful of Spain wherever you live. So sit back, take your time, and enjoy your tapas fully. There is no better way to sample the real essence of Spanish life and culture.