THE TAPAS EXPERIENCE It is typical custom to order drinks and then place small orders of food as you go along. Whatever your fancy, tapas are meant to be shared and enjoyed by all, which is what makes them so socially popular. If you stick to the traditional Spanish times, around 13:30 to 15:00 or 20:30 to 22:00, you’ll be sure to enjoy the freshest food and best atmosphere. It is the perfect way to try dierent foods and flavours and know what to get more of. THE HISTORY OF TAPAS It is believed that the tradition of serving tapas started when bartenders would place a small plate over drinks to stop dust from entering and flies from taking an unwanted sip, but legends stem back to medieval Spain to King Alfonso X, 'The Wise', of Castile. The most popular legend is that while the king was recovering from an illness, he had to take small bites of food with some wine between meals. When he was well again, he declared no wine was to be served without being accompanied by something to eat. This would prevent citizens from becoming too inebriated from the eects of alcohol on an empty stomach. There is also a theory that tapas stemmed from farmers and workers needing to eat small amounts of food to sustain their energy until their main meal. Rich in fat, the main meal (around lunchtime) was heavy to digest, so a ' siesta ' (nap) was needed before resuming an easier workload in the afternoon hours. Meals were typically served with wine, and when taverns were established all over the country, they honoured the king’s decree and covered the glass with a slice of smoked ham and cheese. Considering that the Spanish verb ' tapar ' means to cover, the stories seem to have merged into an idea that has become ingrained in Spanish culture. While the idea of tapas has spread worldwide, its true essence lies within its place of origin — Spain!
TAPAS IS SPAIN These interesting small dishes, regardless of their legendary origin, are an important part of Spanish cuisine and culture. Going out for tapas has created a way to try a variety of dishes and experience local flavours, and enjoy the great libations the country has to oer. Tapas have become synonymous with Spain, not only being an important part of the culture and cuisine but also associated with family and friends spending time together socialising. While we’ve all recreated our own version of tapas, there is nothing like socialising at the bar counter or around small tables or barrels having drinks, sampling food and enjoying the ultimate experience in the homeland of tapas. Keep your drinks covered! Liesl Noel is a gifted writer from South Africa. She’s spent years travelling the world with some of the world’s most influential people prior to becoming a proud mother, middle school language arts teacher and talented freelance writer.
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