The
tapa
The
word
tapa
is
now
used
to
describe
a
small
dish
of
food,
served
as
a
snack
and
is
popular
all
over
Spain.
It
is
widely
believed
that
the
tapa
originated
in
Seville
and
in
particular
in
a
restaurant
called
the
Cafe
de
la
Iberia.
Strangely
enough,
the
origin
of
the
tapa
only
dates
back
to
the
beginning
of
this
century.
It
was
when
someone
asked
for
a
Manzanilla
(a
dry,
white
wine)
with
something
to
cover
(tapar)
it,
the
landlord
served
the
glass
with
a
slice
of
ham
over
the
top.
The
ham
served
better
than
a
plate
and
this
became
a
custom
and
finally
a
family
business. |
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If
the
visitor
can
pronounce
the
word
tapa
then
he
can
always
guarantee
getting
something
to
eat.
In
Seville
alone
there
are
thousands
of
varieties
to
sample. |
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Here
is
a
list
of
the
most
popular
tapas;
Boquerónes
-
Small
white
fish
fillets
in
oil
Albondigas
-
Meatballs,
usually
in
a
tomato
sauce
Ensalada
Rusa
-
Russian
salad
Ensalada
de
Boca
-
Crabstick
salad
Huevos
en
Mayonesa
-
Eggs
in
mayonnaise
Callos
-
tripe
with
chickpeas
Magro
-
Pork
pieces
in
tomato
sauce
Tortilla
-
Omelette
(Tortilla
Español
is
Spanish
omelette)
Gambas
Pil
Pil
-
Prawns
in
a
hot,
garlic
oil |
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Jamon
Serrano
Serrano
is
a
delicious
ham
consumed
all
over
Spain
in
bars
and
restaurants.
The
hams
hang
from
the
ceilings
of
most
establishments,
most
with
hooves
still
attached.
Most
have
a
small
container
attached
at
the
bottom
to
catch
fluids
from
the
hams.
The
hams
are
taken
down
and
placed
on
special
clamps
and
very
thin
slices
are
carved
using
a
flexible
and
very
sharp
knife.
Spain
is
the
world
leader
in
the
production
of
air-dried
hams
-
some
190,000
tons
per
year
which
represents
some
30
million
pieces,
produced
by
1,700
companies. |
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The
hams
are
subjected
to
a
short
period
of
time
in
salt
and
then
at
least
three
months
in
the
mountain
air.
Most
are
produced
from
white
pigs
but
the
darker
Iberian
pigs
produce
the
most
expensive
hams
and
the
most
tasty.
All
these
hams
are
subject
to
a
stringent
quality
control
and
are
awarded
certain
classes
depending
on
their
production
methods.
The
hams
are
best
eaten
on
their
own,
without
bread
and
sometimes
with
a
nice
red
wine.
A
massive
amount
of
Spanish
hams
are
exported
each
year,
the
biggest
eaters
being
the
Germans
and
the
French. |
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Cheese and Wine
Many years ago it was thought that Spain could not produce good wines. Today, this could not be further from the truth. The wine industry in Spain has undergone a total transformation and the country now produces some of the best wines in the world. See our full feature on Spanish wines here.
Spain also produces a full range of cheeses. These vary considerably from region to region.
Spain also produces a full range of cheeses. These vary considerably from region to region. |
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Quick
links
to
similar
features;
Shopping
in
Spain
-
a
guide
to
traditions,
how
to
understand
shop
signs,
buy
Spanish
products
on
line
Conversion
charts
-
Kilograms,
kilometres
and
clothes
sizes,
a
printable
conversion
guide
Culture
guide
-
How
the
Spanish
live
and
how
to
integrate
into
Spanish
life
Disaster
guide
-
Lost
your
passport
or
credit
card
?
Arrested
?
Ill
?
Here's
how
to
cope. |
