Tapas is a unique dining experience, allowing you to sample a range of small plates featuring traditional Spanish cuisine. It’s a sociable tradition that evolved from the tavernas of Adalucia. The ingredients make use of fresh native produce, such as seafood, sun ripened tomatoes, potatoes, chilli peppers, cheese, and pork.
If you have never immersed yourself in the tapas experience before, you may have a few questions about what it is and what to expect. Here are a few answers! Bear in mind that customs vary according to the region of Spain, so these are generally speaking…
What are tapas?
Tapas are small plates of food that are designed to be shared with a group of diners. In Spain, an initial complimentary tapas is sometimes served with a drink. They can also be served as small individual dishes if you prefer.
Why are they called tapas?
The word tapas is derived from the Spanish verb tapar, which means ‘to cover.’ It is thought that this is because thin slices of bread or ham were used to cover drinks to protect them from flies, although there are various theories.
How do you order tapas?
Ordering tapas might seem to be rather complicated, but don’t be daunted—it’s actually very straightforward. Usually, one person will order for the group and the dishes will be shared by everyone. In a London restaurant, you may find that the names of the dishes will be listed in Spanish, but there will be a full explanation in English of what the dish contains.
If you are not sure how much to order, just order a few dishes first as you can always order more later on. Make sure that there is something for everyone’s taste in the group. Remember that the waiting staff will always be on hand to answer any questions that you may have so there is no need to worry about anything!
What are some examples of tapas dishes?
Popular tapas dishes include patatas bravas, which are fried potatoes with a spicy salsa sauce; croquetas, which are usually made with bechamel sauce and ham or cheese; and tortilla española, which is a type of omelette made with potatoes, onions, and eggs.
What drinks do you order with tapas?
There are no rules about which drinks you should order with your food, although in traditional Spanish tapas bars, it is customary to order a drink before ordering food. Your choice of drink may be influenced by the type of food you order. Red wine such as rioja goes well with richer meat dishes with strong spicy flavours.
For lighter fish dishes, white wine or cava are great choices. Manzanilla sherry is a popular tapas drink in Spain if you want to try something a little different. Beer and cider are also excellent choices, and of course the restaurant should have a range of non-alcoholic options.
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