After starting off in Spain, “tapas” have become a huge food trend in recent years. This trend is now extending throughout different countries around the world.
So, what are “tapas,” exactly?
Tapas are small plates of food that are served with drinks as part of a meal. This tradition started in the southern European country, one of the world’s gastronomic hotspots and a place where doing things in a communal fashion is the norm.
When going out to eat tapas, diners usually order drinks like beer, wine, or sangria, and then a variety of small plates of food — the tapas.
The name “tapas” comes from the Spanish word for “covering,” because these small plates were originally served on top of drink glasses to keep bugs and other small insects from being tempted to fly into the drink.
A group at a dinner usually orders a variety of different foods as tapas, and then everyone shares and gets a bite or two from every plate. It’s common to order different dishes, such as one with fish, one with beef, one with pork, and a couple veggie-based dishes for a little variety.
This tradition and dining style encourages conversation and a communal dining experience, and you can try a little bit of everything.
Going out for tapas is the perfect way to spend an evening with friends or family and enjoy a variety of delicious little plates of food.
