Spain is often regarded as the healthiest country in the world. A lot of things can be credited to Spanish cuisine and it is one of the top culinary destinations in the world. It’s centered on the Mediterranean diet and is considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
The geographical position and the various individuals who lived on the Iberian Peninsula impacted the tastes, colors, and bright combinations that make Spanish cuisine amazing. Spanish cuisine is heavy on seafood because it is surrounded by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
After traveling to the finest culinary destinations, I know where to get a good seafood boil. They even incorporate meats and vegetables in their stews, broths, and stews. Let’s dive into the rich history of this gorgeous cuisine.
History
So, how did the Spanish cultivate such a diverse range of spices and food? That’s because the Greeks, Arabs, Phoenicians, and Romans helped in the development of olive trees. This gave rise to the name aceite (Az-zait is Arabic for “olive juice”) over the years. The Moors, who took control of the Iberian Peninsula in the eighth century and remained there for about 800 years, had significant influences.
With the Moors came rice cultivation and the innovative idea of combining nuts and fruits with fish and meat. They also gave us some of the best spices known to man, like cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, etc.
Important Flavors And Ingredients In The Spanish Cuisine
Extra virgin olive oil is the foundation of Spain’s diet and is an iconic ingredient in Spanish cooking. 422 million liters of olive oil were consumed by Spanish homes.
The tastiest cured ham in the entire world, jamón ibérico, also known as the renowned Pata Negra, is a pricey and rare ingredient. Iberian black pigs are raised using specific feeding procedures that ensure high concentrations of “good” fat. This is a common practice in southwestern Spain. Sometimes the curing procedure can take up to 3 years.
Cheese? Yes, please. Castilla-La Mancha Manchego can satisfy even the pickiest palates. If there’s one thing that will be the highlight of this cuisine, it’s saffron. Some people even equate it to gold since only 0.03 g of saffron is present in every Crocus sativus flower. It’s a key component in paella and can be used in the cooking of pasta, poultry, and sometimes desserts.
I’m a foodie, and there’s nothing more exciting than discovering the different types of delicious rice for me to devour. Spain is renowned for its popular recipes, and one such recipe incorporates a local delicacy—bomba rice. It’s regarded as the “King of Paella Rice” and one of the tastiest varieties of rice worldwide.
Paprika is an essential spice in Spanish cuisine, with the most popular one being pimentón de La Vera. Purple garlic, La Caada tomatoes, and Fuentes de Ebro onions are just a few of the common spices that stand out in Spanish cooking.
One thing that my travel experiences have taught me is that Spain has a motherload of spices, and they utilize each one to perfection. The perfect balance of fresh and nice. Speaking of freshness, the Spanish demand everything to be extremely fresh.
Alt-text: Seafood in a bowl
You’re going to find the freshest and tastiest seafood here. From shrimp, octopus, lobster, clams, and squid to fish that’s baked, fried, and grilled. Due to the seafood demand, paella marinera is frequently more well-liked by tourists than the typical Valencian paella.
Regional Products
Some regional Spanish items include:
- Asturias staples – fabes (white bean)
- Lodosa – piquillo peppers
- Galician staple – potatoes
- Jaén – olives
- Cantabria – canned anchovies
- Almagro – eggplants
- Navarra – asparagus
As a bin von enjoyer myself, how can I miss out on the wine? The reason why visiting Spain was one of the greatest travel experiences was all thanks to the amazing Rioja. If you’re in the mood to try some interesting liqueurs then Orujo de Galicia and Pacharán de Navarra are top-tier choices.
Spanish Dishes That Don’t Miss!
Meat and Potato
Spanish cuisine is vibrant and diversified, made for huge banquets and relished in little portions. Some examples include gazpacho, ibérico, paella, jamón, etc. Missing out on some potato dishes? Give Patatas Bravas a try. It’s a thick-fried potato appetizer eaten with aioli or hot sauce.
Another well-liked dish that you’ll fall in love with is Cocido Madrileo. It’s made with chicken, chickpeas, sausages, potatoes, and other veggies. Looking for a breakfast meal? Tortilla de Patata is here for you. It’s a classic Spanish omelet with potatoes and chorizos. Yummy!
Desserts
Did you think I was going to skip out on desserts? Never! My incredible travel experiences have taught me to savor every meal. Turron is an exceptionally tasty treat made from honey and almond. Who can forget the fried churros? Served with chocolate dip! Makes my mouth water every time.
Drinks
Wines reign supreme in the drinking world, either consumed on their own, particularly the renowned Rioja brands, or used as a base for other beverages. These consist of the herbal and spice-infused Madrid vermouth to the fascinating Tinto de Verano created with ice, lemon, and soda. Who can forget the aromatic and delicious red wine sangria? Surely, not me! That’s what made Spain an amazing travel experience for me.
Not into alcohol? Don’t worry! I’ve got just the thing for you. Horchata is created with chufas and taken to beat the heat. It’s served cold and has a cooling effect. Sidra, a fermented apple beverage with a low alcohol concentration that is popular mostly in the Asturian region, is also a refreshing drink.
Desserts
Did you think I was going to skip out on desserts? Never! My incredible travel experiences have taught me to savor every meal. Turron is an exceptionally tasty treat made from honey and almond. Who can forget the fried churros? Served with chocolate dip! Makes my mouth water every time.
Drinks
Wines reign supreme in the drinking world, either consumed on their own, particularly the renowned Rioja brands, or used as a base for other beverages. These consist of the herbal and spice-infused Madrid vermouth to the fascinating Tinto de Verano created with ice, lemon, and soda. Who can forget the aromatic and delicious red wine sangria? Surely, not me! That’s what made Spain an amazing travel experience for me.
Not into alcohol? Don’t worry! I’ve got just the thing for you. Horchata is created with chufas and taken to beat the heat. It’s served cold and has a cooling effect. Sidra, a fermented apple beverage with a low alcohol concentration that is popular mostly in the Asturian region, is also a refreshing drink.
Desserts
Did you think I was going to skip out on desserts? Never! My incredible travel experiences have taught me to savor every meal. Turron is an exceptionally tasty treat made from honey and almond. Who can forget the fried churros? Served with chocolate dip! Makes my mouth water every time.
Drinks
Wines reign supreme in the drinking world, either consumed on their own, particularly the renowned Rioja brands, or used as a base for other beverages. These consist of the herbal and spice-infused Madrid vermouth to the fascinating Tinto de Verano created with ice, lemon, and soda. Who can forget the aromatic and delicious red wine sangria? Surely, not me! That’s what made Spain an amazing travel experience for me.
Not into alcohol? Don’t worry! I’ve got just the thing for you. Horchata is created with chufas and taken to beat the heat. It’s served cold and has a cooling effect. Sidra, a fermented apple beverage with a low alcohol concentration that is popular mostly in the Asturian region, is also a refreshing drink.