Spanish tapas are small snacks or appetizers that are commonly eaten with drinks. Tapas originated in the 13th century when the king decreed that wine must be eaten with food to prevent drunkenness. There are many varieties of tapas including cured ham, potatoes covered in a spicy brava sauce, and small pastries called empanadillas that are stuffed with meat or tuna.

1. Spanish tapas

2. What is a tapa? A tapa is the name of a variety of snacks in Spanish cuisine. Also, in some countries, it is customary to stand and move about while eating tapas for dinner.

3. History of Spanish tapas The Spanish tapas were born in the XIII century because the king Alfonso X called “The wise man” said that wine can’t be drunk without food, because you get easily drunk.

4. Types of tapas There are a lot of tapas. Spanish tapas can be warm or cold, tapas can be served with bread (like a sandwitch) or on a plate.

5. The “Jamón serrano” The jamón serrano (in English: Cured ham) is a very important tapa in our culture. The cured ham it’s a type of food obtained from the salting and air drying of the legs of the pig.

6. “ Patatas bravas” (hot potatoes) In Spain there is a tapa called “patatas bravas”. This tapa consists of a plate with pieces of potatoes covered with a type of sauce called “brava”(hot). Apart from this spicy ingredient, you can add ketchup and mayonaisse.

7. “ Empanadillas” (pasty) In our country there’s a tapa called “empanadillas”. This tapa consists of a pastry stuffed with tunna or meat with pepper. “Empanadillas” have got a semicicle shape. This tapa is served hot.