TAPAS, A WAY TO EAT WELL AND QUICKLY
- Armando´s European Food
- Feb 14
- 1 min read
Tapas are an essential part of Spanish gastronomic culture. They consist of small portions of food served as appetizers, making it a way to eat well and quickly. There is a wide variety of tapas, as almost any traditional Spanish dish served in a restaurant or bar can be turned into a tapa.
Originally, these small portions of food were placed on top of a glass or cup to cover the opening, preventing mosquitoes and other insects. Typically, these bites consisted of slices of jamón or wedges of cheese.
Tapas are small dishes made to sample a food or for when you're not very hungry and want to "snack" on something. They are like small portions of a dish from any bar or restaurant. They’re perfect if you want to eat something quickly or try different dishes. Today, tapas widely vary in ingredients and styles, ranging from olives and cheeses to more elaborate dishes like patatas bravas, paella valenciana, fabada asturiana, or gambas al ajillo.
There is something similar to tapas called pinchos.
They are the same as tapas but always served on a small piece of bread, held together with a skewer. In northern Spain, pinchos are much more common than tapas, and there are even dedicated pinchos routes. In the end, tapas and pinchos aren't considered full meals, but rather a way to eat well and quickly, often at an affordable price. They become a social experience, as they are usually shared among friends and family, fostering conversation and a good atmosphere.
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