In Spain the word “tapas” doesn’t simply refer to food. To a Spaniard, tapas are part of his own lifestyle and culture. They reflect the essence of Spanish friendliness and sociability.

Anytime is the right time for sharing tapas and good wine with friends, especially when it’s sunny and you can enjoy all this on a terrace of a bar (especially if this bar is in Barcelona!)

Traditionally, tapas was a piece of sliced ham served with a glass of wine, but nowadays we know them as tiny plates of food served in bars all over Spain to accompany drinks.

The history of this awesome “invention”, originated in Andalucia, is still unclear.

There are different explanations about this tradition:

• One explanation says that the tapa was born when King Alfonso the 10th, due to an illness, had to take small bites of food with some wine between meals. After that, the king decreed that in any of the inns in the land, no wine was to be served unless accompanied by something to eat. This, to prevent that alcohol would cause physical discomfort in those who drank, who, in most cases, did not have enough money to pay a complete meal.
• Another version is that King Alfonso the 13th stopped by an inn in windy Cadiz where he ordered a cup of wine. The waiter rushed to cover the glass with a slice of ham to protect the wine from the sand. The king, after drinking the wine and eating the ham, ordered another glass “with the same tapa (cover)”.
• The more realistic explanation refers that the tapa was born because of the need of farmers and workers to ingest small portion of food during working hours, to allow them to continue the work until lunchtime.

The snack demanded wine, because alcohol increased the enthusiasm and strength, and during winter it warmed the body and helped to resist the rigorous medieval cold.

In summer the wine was replaced by gazpacho.

Whatever the truth is, if you really want to get into the local life, be aware that “tapeo” is a must-see experience during your visit in Spain. And if you will visit Barcelona, we would be glad to have you during our tapas tour, where you will be able to discover the best places and the local specialties without losing yourself into the thousands of bars and restaurants you will find!

A tapear, then!