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Tapas is part of the Spanish way of life.
Whenever you go to a bar and buy a drink, you'll be served
small portion of food - anything from a few nuts or a bowl
of olives to a mini gourmet meal. There's a huge variety of
different types of tapas, however they are rarely eaten instead
of a meal, but as an appetiser to take the edge off your hunger
before lunch or dinner.
In some parts of Spain, such as Granada,
tapas are free, but elsewhere a dish will rarely cost more
than about a dollar. Tapas is a healthy tradition, as it';s
better to accompany an alcoholic drink with something to eat.
Origins and History
The word tapa means 'lid' or 'covering' and according to
tradition the first tapas were slices of ham placed over a
glass to keep the flies out. Some say it was Cervantes,
the author of Don Quixote, who introduced the practice. The
writer spent time in prison but as a favorite of the king
he was permitted the privilege of a glass of sherry every
day, brought to his cell from the bar across the road. Cervantes
complained that there were always flies in his drink and asked
for the glass to be covered when it was carried across the
road.
Barmen were quick to realise that providing tapas actually
increased sales of drinks, and they began to investigate new
dishes to tempt the appetites of their customers.
Serving Suggestion
Every region has it's own speciality tapas. In fact, many
bars offer a unique house dish, for example, a bar next door
to a bullring might serve small portions of beef or unusual
cuts of meat such as bull's tail or testicles.
If you're vegetarian or aren't prepared to sample exotic
dishes rest assured there are so many different types of tapas
you're sure to find something to temp your appetite. In some
bars, they serve the house tapas with every drink, but others
will offer an entire tapas menu to choose from.
Tapas aren't usually served after midnight and although other
non-alcoholic drinks count for a tapa, strangely enough you
won't get one if you order a coca cola.
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