When you think about Spanish cuisine, you’d think of tapas. But what is “tapas”? Surely they’re just snacks that you can eat whenever right? Actually, tapas is nothing like a regular snack. It’s not a bag of potato chips or an ice cream; it’s something a little more specific. In fact, tapas is mostly part of an actual meal in the Spanish culture, whether you’re in Latin America or mainland Spain. Sometimes, it’s called “pinchos”, “bocas”, or “botanas”, but you’ll know them for what it is when you sit down at a Spanish restaurant because they are guaranteed to be a part of the menu. So here are the differences between tapas and snacks.
Spanish Cuisine Means A Meal Could Just Be Tapas
If it’s your first time sitting down to a local family’s everyday meal, you’ll find yourself surrounded by serving platters of food. Sometimes it looks more like a banquet or a feast, but it isn’t. These large serving platters are always out for anyone and everyone to eat from, and sometimes, the food could just be a selection of bread, cheeses, olives and other savoury foods. These are the ones that are defined as tapas, pinchos, bocas, or botanas.
They’re pretty much similar to appetisers or hors d’oeuvres. Usually, they’re served before the main meal but are kept on in case anyone wants to continue eating them. Sometimes, however, they comprise the entire meal. So, instead of eating large portions of meat or fish, you can have these tapas as a meal itself. Not only is it more communal, but it means you don’t have to eat too much of one thing.
So, They’re Snacks?
Tapas isn’t typically known as a snack because snacks can mean anything from a chocolate bar to a packet of potato chips or even a piece of candy. A tapas is a cross between a snack and an appetiser, as they’re usually cooked or raw meat. And most of the time, they’re served with a drink, usually an alcoholic one. So think about it this way, you’d consider popcorn a snack, but stuffed peppers an appetiser, right? But stuffed peppers are considered to be a tapas food item so they can be seen as both.
So, while tapas can be considered a snack, they’re still a little heavier than one. But, on the flip-side, they’re lighter than an appetiser and can be eaten throughout the day, especially during a special occasion, like a wedding, Christmas or Easter. After all, you wouldn’t consider cold cuts a snack, would you? But, in the Spanish cuisine, they could be.
The Origin Of Tapas
Like many traditions in Spain, and indeed all of Europe, the origin story of tapas is varied and unproven. Apparently, tapas was introduced to Spanish cuisine because of their royalty. Some say it was because King Alfonso X of Castile fell ill, and because he recovered by drinking wine and eating tapas, he ordered every inn to serve food with their wine.
Another origin story was about King Alfonso XIII. He had been offered a glass of wine with a slice of ham to cover it from the sandy beach, next to the tavern he was in, and because of that, he ordered another with the ham “tapa” or cover. So, apparently, that’s where the name “tapas” came from. Then, of course, there’s another claiming that King Filipe III ordered a law to be passed, incorporating tapas into the traditional Spanish cuisine, to combat drunkenness amongst sailors and soldiers.
Of course, there are other practical stories, such as the fact that drinks were always served with a cover or a lid to protect them from flies, and over time chefs and bartenders would add food on top as an extra. Or, because people working in bars would be working behind the counter, they used their glasses as stands for the food.
Regardless, tapas dishes have become an intrinsic part of Spanish cuisine and culture, that Spanish restaurants around the world now serve them in some form or another.
How Traditional Is It?
Tapas isn’t actually that traditional. In fact, in some regions of Spain, particularly in the north, they don’t serve tapas. Instead, it’s mostly found in the southern parts of Spain. So, if you’re looking to go on a foodie road trip across Spain, you’ll most likely find that there won’t be a restaurant in the northern part of Spain that serves tapas.
However, if you travel to the south of Spain, you may find it everywhere, from Andalucia, Murcia to Leon. It has become a part of their local delicacies since these areas tend to attract the most tourists looking to taste both the Spanish culture and the Spanish cuisine.
Can Tapas Be Vegetarian?
Traditionally speaking, tapas dishes are made with either meat, fish, or seafood, because they’re a staple in the typical Spanish diet. However, there are a few dishes that are made of vegetables, and most restaurants serve small portions of olives and omelettes as a minimum. So, if you’re not a fan of meat, or you can’t have fish or seafood, you may find a few alternatives in most modern Spanish restaurants.
A Word On Pinchos
While in the north of Spain, you may not find tapas dishes, you will find pinchos dishes. These are very similar to tapas, except they’re mostly made of open-faced sandwiches that are made in bite-sized portions. So, instead of having a large piece of bread, with meat, sauces and vegetables, you’ll get a small piece, with meats and vegetables skewered by a toothpick, to hold it in place. Not only that, you may find yourself paying a Euro or two for each piece of pinchos you eat since the toothpicks are used to count how many you’ve had.
Nevertheless, if you are in the north of Spain, try asking for a pinchos dish rather than a tapas dish, and don’t forget to order your drinks with it too. After all, that’s why they’re served.
