World Tapas Day is celebrated every year on the third Thursday of June, and this year tapas fans will celebrate it on June 20, 2024. But what is tapas and where did it come from? Well, the roots of this eating custom come from Spain, and it involves eating small portions of food served with drinks in bars across Spain. The tradition of tapas has evolved from Spanish roots and spread around the world, spreading the popular Spanish tapas dishes as well as exploring the style of tapas in other cuisines as well. Here’s everything you need to know about the history, characteristics, evolution and enjoyment of eating tapas!
What are tapas?
In simple terms, tapas means small dishes, appetizers or snacks that one enjoys at a bar in an informal setting. It no longer means ripping open a bag of peanuts and eating them with your drink. Through tapas, the Spaniards have revolutionized the art of having a tasty snack with a drink.
History of Tapas: How Tapas Became Wine’s Friend
This centuries-old Spanish tradition of having small snacks with drinks in Spanish taverns and taverns is associated with various kings:
1. One tradition comes from the reign of King Alfonso X “the Wise” in the 13th century. The former king was advised to drink large quantities of wine while recovering from an illness. He ate smaller portions of food, which helped reduce the effects of the alcohol. It worked, and he insisted that a small portion of food be served with the drink in every home to avoid getting drunk in public.
2. According to another widely accepted legend, tapas originated in Andalusia, the southernmost autonomous community of peninsular Spain, where drinks were covered with a piece of cheese or sausage to protect them from dust and flies.
3. Another legend about the origin of tapas revolves around King Alfonso XIII (reigned 1886 – 1931). It is said that the former king was drinking in a tavern when a waiter noticed some sand swirling in the air, so he placed a piece of sausage on the king’s glass so that the drink would be safe. The king later ate that piece of food with his drink.
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Following the stories of the kings, modern tapas emerged. In 1795, as detailed in the book “Seville Banquets, Tapas, and Menus, 1863-1995: An Anthropology of Food,” establishments that served wine in glasses began to set up tables and chairs and began serving cold or fried food. However, serving dishes such as stew was banned.
The Spaniards have revolutionized the art of enjoying snacks with drinks. Photo Credit: iStock
The freedom, spontaneity, and informality of eating tapas
The only rule about tapas is that it has no rules, just as fine dining has many instructions on how to eat, what to eat, how to sit, how to start eating, how to finish eating, and so on. However, tapas is a style of eating, a style that anyone who goes to a bar will find practical. “In principle, because of how it started, tapas is something you eat with one hand, a cocktail stick, fork or spoon, allowing you to hold a drink in the other. This style of eating creates a kind of harmony between solid and liquid,” explains Rafael Anson, president of the Spanish Royal Academy of Gastronomy.
When it comes to the tapas, you can order as much as you want and it can be eaten standing at the bar, sitting on a stool or at a table.
Modern-day tapas – evolving while still keeping tradition!
Many modern restaurants and bars embrace the spirit of tapas, by offering free food when a customer orders a drink. Tapas bars exist and are growing all over the world, focusing heavily on these small plates that can act as appetizers or entire meals, depending on the customer’s preference. With tapas, comes the source of their existence – a wide variety of alcoholic drinks to choose from.
In many Spanish cities, tapas tours or “las ruta de tapas” have become very popular, with gastro-tourism guides and maps available to help people locate the different tapas bars and the specialities available in them.
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Currently, more and more chefs around the world are adopting and offering the tapas style of eating to their customers. In some bars and restaurants, tapas has evolved into a very sophisticated cuisine that still maintains an atmosphere of informality and flexibility. Many tapas bars now offer not only Spanish tapas but also similar dishes based on cuisines from around the world.
The concept of tapas can be explored in other cuisines as well.
Photo Credit: iStock
Tapas with Indian flavour
When you think about it, the idea of tapas, though not so subtle, exists in its own way in other parts of the world as well. Indian cuisine, whether traditional or modern, is filled with a variety of snacks and when it comes to eating with alcohol, we are all familiar with Desi snacks that go well with the drink. If you are not very familiar with authentic Spanish tapas, you can still celebrate World Tapas Day 2024 by embracing the tradition with Indian-style tapas:
1. Baked Samosas
This is a healthier variation of the classic samosa, which is baked instead of fried. The fillings can vary widely, from potatoes to mutton.
2. Fish Tikka Tacos
Experience the ultimate fusion with soft and spice-packed Fish Tikka wrapped in soft tacos and topped with your favourite sauce.
3. Potato Cups
If you like potatoes, you will enjoy eating these crispy potato skins that are full of delicious flavor. They are a great appetizer.
4. Dahi Kebab
Light yet delicious, these vegetarian kebabs served with your drinks will make you forget your favourite non-vegetarian snacks.
5. Onion Rings
There’s a reason some snacks are called classics – they’re simple, delicious and timeless. Pair your drinks with these crispy and soft onion rings.
6. Masala Papad and Peanut Salad
This Indian tapas snack is a favourite and can be easily made before drinks. Simply fry some papads and top them with a salad made of finely chopped onions, tomatoes and coriander, lime juice and peanuts.
On this World Tapas Day 2024, enjoy tapas with your favourite drink and your favourite people. Vamos a tapier!
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