The Spaniards have a very proud food tradition. For most tourists, Spanish food is often associated with tapas, paella, and drink sangria. Sangria has basically become the national drink in addition to the very important meal wine then – of which Riojan is among the best. The famous Sherry (Jerez) from Andalusia is also a typical Spanish drink.
In Spain, there are plenty of fresh and fresh ingredients that you can add to your cooking and that really characterize Spanish cuisine. Here you do not need to cook long sauces or sauces to spice up the raw materials, but you use the already amazing tasting experiences that are found directly in the raw materials.
If you want to experience a really good Spanish meal, you should find a traditional local restaurant. In the holiday resorts, there are usually many kitchens that have a more international atmosphere, but if you want to enjoy the food in Spanish you should take the time to find a really nice local tavern.
Many cultures have influenced Spanish food
Like many other places around the Mediterranean, olive oil plays a very central role in cooking, and Spain is very well known for its fine olive oil. The meat used in Spain is often lamb, pork, and veal. Another important ingredient is garlic, which is a legacy of Roman times. Even the drink of wine dates back to the days of the Roman Empire.
In fact, Spanish food has ancestry from many different cultures, due to the different peoples who have governed the Spanish area throughout history. The Moors, with their Muslim culture, introduced exotic flavors such as saffron, lemon, almond, cumin, black pepper, and nutmeg. And from China, they have, no matter how crazy it sounds, imported the oranges. And they themselves brought potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and corn from the visits on the other side of the world ocean, America.
Seafood
Along the coasts, the food contains a lot of seafood. It is also here, in northern Spain, that the paella was created. However, it is available in several different variants depending on where you are. In southern Spain, for example, the fried Pescaíto Frito is popular.
Tapas originally come from Andalusia, located in the southern part of Spain. Actually, the word tapas means “lid”, and was initially used as a snack, ie. snacks, which you ate for the drink. Nowadays, however, it has become a way to eat their main meal, you order many small dishes that you simply eat well for a long time. If you want a larger amount of tapas you order an un racion.
Very varied food culture throughout the country
Regardless of where you are in Spain, there are many local varieties of the different typical Spanish dishes. For example, the different tapas offered differ significantly from area to area, and also from restaurant to restaurant within different areas. It should be borne in mind that each area in Spain has its own culture, with its very own dishes, often built according to the raw materials that are suitable for growing in that particular area.