Tapas Reign in Spain
Spaniards have a reputation for socializing, and much of that socializing occurs at bars, over drinks and plates of nibbles called tapas. Tapas are thought to have originated in hot, dry Andalusia, Spain’s southernmost region, the center of sherry production, and the purported birthplace of flamenco music and dance. Because sherry contains more alcohol than most other wines, barkeepers served it along with a small snack — often salty, to ensure continued thirst. Some food historians think the barkeeps set the snacks over the sherry glasses to thwart fruit flies and dust. Thus were born tapas, from the Spanish word tapar, meaning “to cover.”
|
