Culinary specialties : gastronumy, tapas, paella, sangria, chocolate, churros,
Blog of the Negosimmo real estate agency.
The essential tapas.
Tapas are one of the main characteristics of Spanish gastronomy. They are small amounts of food served in bars to accompany a drink.
In Spain, it is very common to go for tapas: a tradition that consists of going from bar to bar with friends to eat and drink.
The origin of this tradition is not very clear and there are several explanations. Some believe that it arose from the economic interest of the owners of the taverns, who put salty food (for example, ham) so that the customer would ask for more drink. Others believe that tapas arose from the custom that they had in the taverns of covering the glasses of drink with a slice of bread to prevent the entry of dust or insects. Whatever their origin, tapas are known throughout the world and are an essential part of Spanish culture.
Tapas or going out to eat tapas is synonymous with going out with friends to have fun and is a delicious way to socialize.
Mediterranean cuisine.
It is a diet that has multiple health benefits. It has contributed to making Spain the country with the longest life expectancy in Europe. Spanish food is the image of the Mediterranean diet. A healthy diet, full of flavors and based on the consumption of olive oil, vegetables and seasonal products.
Among the recommended ingredients are vegetables and legumes, fruits, fish, white meat, pasta, rice and nuts, as well as the consumption of wine in moderation. Another highly recommended product is olive oil, which, thanks to its oleic acid and vegetable fats, reduces the risk of arterial obstruction and has a high content of carotenes and vitamin E. In this dietary model, products such as red meat, sweets and eggs are rare.
Paella.
Without a doubt the most famous and emblematic dish of Spanish gastronomy. Originally from Valencia, its name derives from the dish in which it is cooked.
Traditionally, it is cooked over a wood fire. Pine wood is usually used for this purpose. As the preparation of a Valencian paella involves many preparations, it is a dish strongly linked to the family, which is mainly prepared on holidays or weekends with family or friends.
The tradition was to eat the paella directly from the pan with a wooden spoon.
Tortilla de patatas.
This potato omelette is also an emblematic dish of Spain, in accordance with the gastronomic philosophy of the country since it is a dish that must be strictly shared. The tortilla is of popular origin, the use of potatoes comes from the fact that eggs were expensive, by adding potatoes, therefore fewer eggs were used. Nowadays there are different variations with the addition of all kinds of vegetables or cheese, if you want you can even enjoy it with cold meats.
Chocolate with churros.
Chocolate with churros is a typical dish of Spanish gastronomy that is eaten for breakfast or as a snack, and is usually consumed more frequently during the cold winter months.
Hot chocolate in Spain is characterized by being much thicker and full-bodied than in other European countries.
Turrón.
Turrón in Spanish, it comes from the Arab influence. It is a Spanish sweet spread throughout Spain and is eaten especially during the Christmas holidays. A very Mediterranean nougat made with honey and a very high percentage of almonds in its preparation (60% or more depending on the manufacturer), it comes in the form of a rectangular or circular tablet of various sizes.
The two best known are the turrón d’Alicante which is hard, and the turrón de Jijona (or turrón blando), soft and creamy. Jijona (Xixona in Valencian), a town located 25 km north of Alicante, is the capital of turrón. More than 80% of workers live directly or indirectly from turrón.
Sangria.
The famous sangría, made with red wine and fruit, is the summer drink par excellence in Spain, to cool off in the summer! Its recipe varies from one bar to another as well as between the Spanish regions.
Tinto de verano.
A slightly lighter drink than sangría or cava, it is a mixture of red wine and lemonade and should be served very cold.
Horchata.
Famous drink from the city of Alboraya (Valencia), it is a drink made from tigernut tubers (a plant that tastes very similar to almonds), water and sugar. It is one of the flagship drinks of the summer throughout Spain! To be drunk very cold!
Citrus fruits.
Spain is the leading citrus fruit producer in the European Union and the fifth largest in the world, with an annual production of more than 5 million tonnes in the last decade.
The Valencian Community is the main citrus fruit producing region at the national level, with a strong export vocation, mainly for products intended for fresh consumption and with high quality standards.
According to the FAO, Spain is the main citrus fruit exporter in the world, dedicating more than half of its production to export. In the Valencian Community, mandarins and oranges are mainly produced (50% and 45% of total citrus production, respectively) and, to a lesser extent, lemons.
But also...
The Valencian Community is obviously Paella, fideua, a wide variety of rice dishes, fish and seafood, authentic Mediterranean cuisine made up of vegetables, fruits and typical dishes such as caldero, olleta, cocido con pelotas. All this made with local products. A great diversity of traditional cuisine to delight the palates of visitors.
It is also products with a controlled designation of origin: the medlar of Callosa d'en Sarria, the turrón of Jijona and Alicante, mountain cherries, drinks and wines from Alicante.
The essential tapas.
Tapas are one of the main characteristics of Spanish gastronomy. They are small amounts of food served in bars to accompany a drink.
In Spain, it is very common to go for tapas: a tradition that consists of going from bar to bar with friends to eat and drink.
The origin of this tradition is not very clear and there are several explanations. Some believe that it arose from the economic interest of the owners of the taverns, who put salty food (for example, ham) so that the customer would ask for more drink. Others believe that tapas arose from the custom that they had in the taverns of covering the glasses of drink with a slice of bread to prevent the entry of dust or insects. Whatever their origin, tapas are known throughout the world and are an essential part of Spanish culture.
Tapas or going out to eat tapas is synonymous with going out with friends to have fun and is a delicious way to socialize.
Mediterranean cuisine.
It is a diet that has multiple health benefits. It has contributed to making Spain the country with the longest life expectancy in Europe. Spanish food is the image of the Mediterranean diet. A healthy diet, full of flavors and based on the consumption of olive oil, vegetables and seasonal products.
Among the recommended ingredients are vegetables and legumes, fruits, fish, white meat, pasta, rice and nuts, as well as the consumption of wine in moderation. Another highly recommended product is olive oil, which, thanks to its oleic acid and vegetable fats, reduces the risk of arterial obstruction and has a high content of carotenes and vitamin E. In this dietary model, products such as red meat, sweets and eggs are rare.
Paella.
Without a doubt the most famous and emblematic dish of Spanish gastronomy. Originally from Valencia, its name derives from the dish in which it is cooked.
Traditionally, it is cooked over a wood fire. Pine wood is usually used for this purpose. As the preparation of a Valencian paella involves many preparations, it is a dish strongly linked to the family, which is mainly prepared on holidays or weekends with family or friends.
The tradition was to eat the paella directly from the pan with a wooden spoon.
Tortilla de patatas.
This potato omelette is also an emblematic dish of Spain, in accordance with the gastronomic philosophy of the country since it is a dish that must be strictly shared. The tortilla is of popular origin, the use of potatoes comes from the fact that eggs were expensive, by adding potatoes, therefore fewer eggs were used. Nowadays there are different variations with the addition of all kinds of vegetables or cheese, if you want you can even enjoy it with cold meats.
Chocolate with churros.
Chocolate with churros is a typical dish of Spanish gastronomy that is eaten for breakfast or as a snack, and is usually consumed more frequently during the cold winter months.
Hot chocolate in Spain is characterized by being much thicker and full-bodied than in other European countries.
Turrón.
Turrón in Spanish, it comes from the Arab influence. It is a Spanish sweet spread throughout Spain and is eaten especially during the Christmas holidays. A very Mediterranean nougat made with honey and a very high percentage of almonds in its preparation (60% or more depending on the manufacturer), it comes in the form of a rectangular or circular tablet of various sizes.
The two best known are the turrón d’Alicante which is hard, and the turrón de Jijona (or turrón blando), soft and creamy. Jijona (Xixona in Valencian), a town located 25 km north of Alicante, is the capital of turrón. More than 80% of workers live directly or indirectly from turrón.
Sangria.
The famous sangría, made with red wine and fruit, is the summer drink par excellence in Spain, to cool off in the summer! Its recipe varies from one bar to another as well as between the Spanish regions.
Tinto de verano.
A slightly lighter drink than sangría or cava, it is a mixture of red wine and lemonade and should be served very cold.
Horchata.
Famous drink from the city of Alboraya (Valencia), it is a drink made from tigernut tubers (a plant that tastes very similar to almonds), water and sugar. It is one of the flagship drinks of the summer throughout Spain! To be drunk very cold!
Citrus fruits.
Spain is the leading citrus fruit producer in the European Union and the fifth largest in the world, with an annual production of more than 5 million tonnes in the last decade.
The Valencian Community is the main citrus fruit producing region at the national level, with a strong export vocation, mainly for products intended for fresh consumption and with high quality standards.
According to the FAO, Spain is the main citrus fruit exporter in the world, dedicating more than half of its production to export. In the Valencian Community, mandarins and oranges are mainly produced (50% and 45% of total citrus production, respectively) and, to a lesser extent, lemons.
But also...
The Valencian Community is obviously Paella, fideua, a wide variety of rice dishes, fish and seafood, authentic Mediterranean cuisine made up of vegetables, fruits and typical dishes such as caldero, olleta, cocido con pelotas. All this made with local products. A great diversity of traditional cuisine to delight the palates of visitors.
It is also products with a controlled designation of origin: the medlar of Callosa d'en Sarria, the turrón of Jijona and Alicante, mountain cherries, drinks and wines from Alicante.