Have you been craving Spanish food recently? There are many reasons why Spanish food is one of the most sought-after cuisines nowadays. If you think about it, the ingredients of their dishes are easy to find, but they still have distinct cooking techniques.
Additionally, Spain has a wonderful culture wherein people enjoy eating together which adds excitement to the whole dining experience. And although Spanish cuisine had been influenced by many other groups, they still developed their style.
Curious enough? If you haven’t visited Spanish restaurants lately, and you want to know why you crave their food so often, then you should check the list of characteristics below!
1. The history
Did you know that Spanish cuisine went through various experiences before they achieved the food they have today? Many cultural legacies such as the Moors, Romans, and Ancient Greeks influenced their way of cooking and introduced other ingredients.
From there, Spaniards developed the identity of having complex and unique kitchen techniques.
So if you’ve only tasted paella and some tapas, you’re missing out! Hurry, visit authentic Spanish restaurants and try other meals.
2. The basic ingredients
When you look up recipes for any Spanish dishes, have you noticed that they have similar basic ingredients? Many of these, including salads and stews, are made using olive oil and garlic. However, although these 2 are the most common, other regions in Spain include other vegetables and herbs.
Spanish cuisine is abundant in terms of locally-grown crops, seafood, and other proteins. However, although it seems as if they have a small set of basic ingredients, they choose high-quality products which are carefully combined to achieve perfection.
3. The idea of tapas
As mentioned before, dining in Spanish restaurants is a great experience since people get to share meals. Normally, tapas or raciones come in large servings that require a group of people to enjoy.
Another mystery of tapas is that they don’t have an exact local definition. Of course, when you search it online, the meaning you’ll find is about the food and how they’re consumed with drinks before dinner.
However, it’s also understood that tapas can also mean a way of drinking out with friends or even free samplers.
4. The variations of different regions
Each region in Spain contributes a lot to the overall cuisine. Additionally, they offer different variations which make it easier to identify the specific region where it came from. The best example of a dish that comes with many variations is the paella.
For most parts of the southern area, they use seafood as the main ingredient for paella. Meanwhile, the northern regions offer chicken and meat.
This means that even though the 17 regions in Spain are under one country, they’re autonomous in many different ways including their way of cooking.
5. The cooking methods
Spain, along with many other countries, uses different cooking techniques. However, the 2 main methods they use are grilling or roasting, and stewing.
Grilling or roasting is the first method of cooking used in Spain. Usually, they cook chicken or meat this way. On the other hand, vegetables and soups are made by stewing.
Isn’t it great to know that Spain has been using their traditional cooking methods until today? Although they have better tools and equipment, the taste remains the same.
6. The drinks
When it comes to drinks, you may already know that sangria is widely popular around the world. However, you should also try other drinks such as beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
If you’ve been to Spain before, you might already know that beer is popularly served in tapas bars and Spanish restaurants. Meanwhile, wine is served during meal times like dinner.
Want to taste an authentic sangria? Usually, bars don’t serve sangria as often as beer and wine, but you can also go to Barcelona or Andalusia where restaurants are serving the best-tasting sangria.
7. The meats and cheeses
Are you imagining a charcuterie board right now? Well, when it comes to the best Iberian ham, chorizo, and cheese, there’s no doubt that Spain is the one. It’s not just because they’re labelled according to their origin, but also because they have high-quality ingredients fresh from the farm.
So if you want to spend a great night with your family and friends, order the finest Spanish wine you can get, and arrange your charcuterie board.
Now that your cravings are stronger than before, maybe it’s time to visit Spanish restaurants and taste the best dishes. Don’t forget to share with us your favourite Spanish dishes by leaving a comment below!
