Tapas, a Soothing Melody Winds along the Streets of Spain

By Charis Yunxiao Chen

Laid-back people sit on benches beneath the canopy of outdoor seating of bars located around the street corners, sipping at clear wines, from time to time turning their heads to look at the passer-by with flecks of sunlight spilling on their faces, and talking with companions in a desultory kind of way — a common idyllic scenario on streets in Spanish cities.

People also stand around tables with ease to talk and enjoy food

What kind of food culture can be considered splendid? One of the keywords might be diversity. Spain deserves to be called gourmets’ paradise. Different types of restaurants, bars, and cafes weave through the neighborhoods. This beautiful country is not only a pilgrimage for foodies but also a stimulating place for those who are not obsessed with seeking novelty in cuisine.

Dates back to 1725, Sobrino De Botin still use their famous wood-burning oven to cook delicacies like suckling pig and lamb just as they did centuries ago

Leon was a visitor from America. "I can travel all over the world for food."He laughed "Spain is not the best, it's one of the best."

History speaks of quality. One evidence of the Spanish distinctive position in the food circle is its possession of the oldest restaurant in the world – Sobrino De Botin, according to the Guinness Book of Record.

In the modern industrial society, people move faster, speak faster, and eat faster. A place that treats food sincerely and seriously, part of the lifestyle there is typically peaceful and poetic, or at least, it remains a pure serenity for minds to take a rest.

It doesn't matter if you are not a wine person. Restaurants in Spain offer water with pretty bottles among which some of them like wine bottles

Despite the hustle and bustle of the streets, the dining area creates a slow-flowing and peaceful space and time in the neighborhoods. Sneak a peek at their dishes. Thin, bright red slices of Iberico ham, staking on lime honeydew melon or softly rolled up, lolling against the snow-white plate; Within a little pan, shrimps bathed in an aromatic soup. Sometimes Manchego cheese and sashimi snuggle up with each other on a little piece of bread.

Many small but sophisticated restaurants can be found in Spanish neighborhoods

A bunch of the plates ordered upon small savory packets of food that seem to be eaten one in one bite. Stepping into a bar, a variety of brightly colored “baits” are tidily and carefully displayed under a long, clean glass cabinet.

"Tapas" is a style. There are traditional tapas dishes, but also many dished can be considered as tapas

Small portions of dishes, snacks, or appetizers are called "Tapas" -- some bars highlight the word on their lovely blackboard in front of their doorways.

"Tapas" means “to cover", or "lid" in Spanish, a cognate of "top" in English. Around 18 to 19 centuries, the innkeepers or barkeepers provide their customers with tiny pieces of bread or meat to cover their glasses of sherry to prevent the flies. Another interesting version of the tapas's origin is that an ill King could only eat a small amount of food with wine at one time. The common story type of King", right? The former seems more natural and so believable. The story of Tapas illustrates that a small habit can morph into a well-known and everlasting local feature -- a loveliness of human society.

Located in the heart of Madrid, the gastronomic market Mercado de San Miguel is able to give you a comprehensive view of tapas in Spain. Although it is an obvious commercial market specially built for tourists, it has a history of more than a hundred years. With no more than three euros, a John Barrita is here. Frequently, tourists with glistening eyes wander in front of various stalls.

A scene of Mercado de San Miguel. Warm lights often make food look attractive

Compared to large serving size dishes, small and exquisite tapas are good choices for them to taste many flavors but not too much at once. Stallholders have to slow down to prepare the ingredients and carefully make them, like watchmakers repair devices. Probably, in such a process, they enter into a calm and tranquil life that becomes rarer and rarer these days.

Putting food on slices of bread is a classic way of "doing tapas"

"Locals also come here to enjoy," a chef who was responsible for making Spanish Omelette said, "Spanish food is usually made from fresh ingredients. So we just can't make bad food."

The aforementioned dish with shrimp is Gambas al ajillo, simply put, Spanish garlic shrimp. To Chinese people, this tapas looks and tastes familiar, as the recipe is very similar to Chinese braising.

The dish in the upper left corner is the Gambas al ajillo. The salad in the front contains a lot of potatoes, which are an important ingredient in addition to tomatoes

Another tapas with shrimp is Brochetas de Gambas -- Spanish shrimp skewers. For those who love goose liver, a tapas is right there for you.

You may find that Tapas are a style of serving food. So theoretically, they can be anything. In addition to the tapas state above, common members of tapas also include pickled olives. They are a staple. In the north and south of Spain, there are different recipes and pickles, sometimes with small pickled cucumber. As a tomato country, it has Gazpacho andaluz, the spanish cold tomato soup); Pan tumaca, just a slice of bread with tomato and oil on top of it.

Our appetite for food is so intrinsic and adorable. Food is a natural connection of people from various background. A variety of tastes intertwine in our taste buds, and the air is full of aroma. Happiness, an simple emotion, constitutes a fundamental part of our life. Taberna el Sur is a popular tavern located in Madrid. A man with a low ponytail often hummed a merry tune with brisk steps while serving guests. "Haha, we are the best!" He couldn't help to laugh, answering inquiries about the restaurant with great confidence. All the guests present laughed or smiled heartily.