A tour of Barcelona would not be complete without going to a tapas bar, and of course, one or two glasses of good wine. If you want a true taste of Spanish life, get to know these delicious treats and dig in.
Diving into Spanish Culture
In its many forms, tapas are rooted in the culture of Spain, as described by an article on the Spanish language learning website donQuijote.Org. Apart from being one of the most economical options when it comes to local culinary offerings, the dish has always accompanied alcoholic beverages, especially during midday or evening sessions with wine or beer.
Traditionally, Spanish tapas are created in small portions, and can include pieces of cold meat, potatoes, or cheese, cooked with other simple ingredients, and herbs and spices chosen according to the season or region. Mixing and matching the wide variety of ingredients brings endless culinary possibilities!
An excerpt from the donQuijote.Org article offers visitors a preview of the challenging, but worthwhile, task of decoding the varieties of tapas:
No self-respecting Spanish bar would risk being caught without an intriguing array of tapas arranged across its counter. These bite-sized dishes, as important to Spanish culture as the siesta and the fiesta, come in infinite varieties and, more often than not, are completely unidentifiable to the untrained eye. However, the art of tapas is one that the Spanish have perfected to perfection and, once mastered, is undoubtedly the most fun way to enjoy “fast food” with friends!
Putting a Twist on Tapas
Contemporary takes on tapas fuse culinary elements to make for more exclusive and interesting tastes, as you will experience with fusion tapas in Barcelona. Fusion restaurants that have distinctly Arabic elements, such as Ziryab, give the traditional appetizer a hint of Middle Eastern flavor. The result is a tastier and more fragrant feast for the palate.
Take, for example, a plate of delicious tomato bread with a kick of Jordanian zaatar or thyme, and drizzled with the finest virgin olive oil from Palestine. The dried herb (usually mixed with sesame seeds, sumac and salt) and high-quality organic oil combined with other spices make the dish more exquisite, with a very aromatic flavor.
Sweet dates and strong-flavored Halloumi cheese, among many other Arabic ingredients and condiments, also combine well with Catalan meats and produce. Enjoy these delicious tapas in Barcelona for a culinary experience of a lifetime!
(Source: Spanish tapas: A guide to the wonderful world of tapas… and some useful phrases to use while tapeo, donQuijote.Org)