Guide to Spanish Tapas
Las tapas(tapas or bar snacks) are a cornerstone of la cultura española(Spanish culture), and they vary widely from region to region in España(Spain).
Spaniards take great pride in the art of tapear(going out for tapas), and it's a daily activity for many people in the country. Read on to learn more about this delicious Spanish culinary tradition!
Questions This Article Answers
What are tapas?
How are tapas served?
What is the difference between tapas and pintxos ?
Are tapas free?
What tapas should I try in Spain?
What Are Tapas?
The term tapas comes from the Spanish verb tapar(to cover). Tapas are small portions of food that originally came as a tapa (cover) on top of a drink, particularly a glass of wine or beer, supposedly to protect it from las moscas(flies).
Nowadays, tapas range from very simple portions of food to more elaborate and gourmet offerings that you can enjoy in almost every bar or restaurant in España.
How Are Tapas Served?
Tapas can be served on a skewer, on top of a piece of bread, sandwiched between bread slices, or directly on a small plate or casserole dish.
Tapas served on a skewer or a long toothpick can include items ranging from a chunk of atún(tuna), cocktail onion, and una aceituna(an olive), to grilled gambas(shrimp) with vegetables, to pincho moruno(grilled pieces of meat with a spicy marinade).
Tapas that are served on a slice of bread are normally called tostas. You can get a tosta with almost any topping you can imagine, including setas(mushrooms), scrambled eggs, jamón(ham), chorizo, tomato sauce, and aceite de oliva(olive oil).
Tapas that are served sandwiched between two pieces of bread are normally called montaditosor pulgas. They can be filled with ingredients like grilled meat, cheese, or calamares(fried calamari rings).
- Tapas commonly served on small dishes or in casserole dishes include paella, patatas bravas(fried potato wedges with a spicy tomato sauce), gambas al ajillo(shrimp in garlic sauce), and pisto(ratatouille).
Tapas are usually served with drinks in bars and casual dining establishments throughout Spain. They can be ordered and served on the barra(bar counter), on a table inside, or on a table outside on a terrace or patio.
Tapas can be served cold, as is common with aceitunas and queso(cheese), or hot, which is the norm with calamares and albóndigas(meatballs).
The Social and Cultural Aspects of Tapas
Tapas are more than just food; they represent a Spanish way of life. Going out for tapas (tapear) is a common social activity in Spain and an order of tapas is often a small, shared meal for friends and family. Instead of one large meal, like lunch or dinner, Spaniards often spend an entire evening hopping from bar to bar, enjoying a small dish and a drink at different establishments.
Tapear allows people to enjoy a variety of dishes and flavors. It also allows groups of friends to each pay for one ronda(round) of tapas at each restaurant, therefore sharing the cost of the tapas dining experience.
Regional Differences in Tapas Culture
The type of tapas available can vary greatly by region in Spain. In coastal areas, you'll often find tapas de mariscos(seafood tapas), while inland regions might offer more tapas a base de carne(meat tapas), such as the famous jamón ibérico(Iberian ham). In the Southern region of Andalusia, pescaito frito(fried fish) is a common tapa, while in the Basque Country, you might encounter pinchos(or pintxos in the Basque language).
The word pinchos is used in the North of Spain, including Navarre and the Basque Country, to describe a type of tapa that is usually "spiked" with a skewer or toothpick onto something, such as a piece of bread.
Tapas vs. Pinchos
While tapas and pinchos share similarities and are both integral to Spanish gastronomic culture, they are not used interchangeably throughout Spain. The specific tradition, presentation, and even the time of day they are typically consumed can vary.
• Pinchos are typically displayed on the bar counter, and patrons can select which displayed pinchos look best to them. Additionally, pinchos are often enjoyed as a midday snack.
• Tapas are usually ordered from a set menu and served throughout the day and night.
Are Tapas Free or Not?
In some parts of Spain, a tapa is traditionally included for free with a beverage. The Spanish city of Granadais particularly famous for this tradition. However, in other parts of Spain, especially in bigger cities or tourist areas, you'll need to order and pay for tapas separately.
Top 10 Tapas
Now that we've whet your appetite, take a look at our list of the top 10 tapas to try in Spain!
1) Patatas bravas(literally, angry potatoes): These delicious fried potatoes are served with a spicy tomato sauce and alioli(aioli).
2) Tortilla española(Spanish omelet): This tapa usually includes huevos(eggs), patatas(potatoes), and cebolla(onion). Variations can include espinacas(spinach), chorizo, or peppers. Many Spaniards engage in heated arguments over whether or not onion should be include in a tortilla española!
3) Croquetas(croquettes): These creamy bechamel fritters are often filled with ham, fish, or cheese.
4) Jamón ibérico(Iberian ham): This type of cured ham is produced in Spain and often served thinly sliced on its own or on bread.
5) Gambas al ajillo(shrimp in garlic sauce): This tapa consists of shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil; sometimes a bit of dried chili is added for heat.
6) Aceitunas(olives): Aceitunas of various types are a staple of tapas culture.
7) Pulpo a la gallega(Galician-style octopus): This Galician specialty consists of boiled pulpo(octopus) served with paprika, rock salt, and olive oil.
8) Calamares a la romana(fried calamari rings): These fried, breaded squid rings can be enjoyed on their own or as a mini bocadillo(sandwich) or as a montadito, a tapa that is a staple of la Plaza Mayor de Madrid(Madrid's Main Square).
9) Ensaladilla rusa(Russian salad): This Spanish version of Russian salad is made with potatoes, zanahorias(carrots), peas, and mayonesa(mayonnaise). When you top a corteza(pork ring) with ensalada rusa, you've got yourself another type of tapa, una paloma (literally, a pigeon)!
10) Queso manchego(Manchego cheese): This traditional Spanish cheese is made from sheep's milk in the region of La Mancha.
Tapas Vocabulary
Do you love tapas and want to tapear sometime in the future? Check out this table to learn vocabulary you can use to tapear like a pro!
Going Out for Tapas: An Example Conversation
Here's a conversation between two friends who are out in Spain having tapas:
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