Tapas

My dictionary says...

.... A variety of small savoury Spanish dishes, often served as a snack or with others as a meal.

The word tapa when translated from Spanish means a lid and it is believed that they began life as a slice or sausage, ham or bread placed on a glass of wine or sherry as a lid, probably to keep out the pesky fruit flies.

These days they range from the boring tourist plates of jamon, tortilla or cheese drizzled with olive oil to the increasingly popular gastronomic contests producing an array of appetizing dishes resembling Michelin star presentation.

In the olden days the appetite of the outdoor worker and bar-frequenter would have been huge and these dishes would have been an appetizer before a main meal, today five or six tapas with drinks is an entire meal for many.

I love the fact that tapear is a verb something one does, they aren´t just food but a way of life and a fun one at that.

To experience a tapas tour there are several destinations throughout the length and breadth of Andalucia that offer guided tours such as Martos, Sevilla and Vejer.



Go from Tapas to Gastronomy pages