Traditionally, a tapa was no more than a nibble given free with each drink, the choice being at the discretion of the barman or waiter - this still happens in some Spanish cities, but is now not widespread.

 

There are a number of theories as to the origin of tapas - one is that King Alfonso the Wise, after recovering from an illness eating morsels of food with a sip of wine, decreed that all taverns must serve a bite to eat with each glass, helping to stop the drink going to customers' heads. Another says that Alfonso XIII had stopped for a drink outside a tavern in Cádiz; a wind blew up and the canny waiter placed a slice of ham over the glass to stop the sand getting in. The King enjoyed the ham and asked for another tapa (meaning "lid" or "cover") with his next drink. The favourite is simply that Andalusian innkeepers placed a slice of bread over the glass to keep the flies out, interesting toppings gradually being added!

 

From this humble beginning, the tapa developed into the myriad of delicious choices available today.

Though tapas are thought to have their origins in Andalusia, in southern Spain, they are available throughout the mainland and the Balearics, more often being referred to as pinchos or pinchitos in northern Spain. There are plenty of regional variations, often being based upon local or seasonal produce.

 

Tapas have become such an intrinsic part of Spanish culture that the language has adopted the verb "tapear" - to eat tapas, usually over a period of time or during a bar crawl.

 

Tapas are wonderfully versatile and may be adapted to a snack, a light meal or an array of different dishes for diners to share. The choice is yours.

 

So, how many to have?  As a rough guide, one or two if you're peckish, three or four if you're quite hungry and five or six if you're very hungry. Don't forget, you can always order more.

 

Que approveche!