Get a Taste of Spain: A Foodie to Explore the Country’s Culture

Food is as important to the Spanish culture as it is to their society. You may have heard of paella or sangria, but there’s so much more that makes the food in Spain special—and unique! lets explore what exactly makes Spanish food so special, including where to go and what to order when you’re there. We’ll also tell you about some other Spanish dishes and drinks that are worth trying when you’re visiting the country. So come along with us on our journey through the food culture of Spain!

Tapas are where it’s at

Whether you’re taking in the sights of Barcelona or sitting down for dinner in Seville, one thing is certain: you’ll have lots of opportunities to sample tapas, a Spanish tradition that involves sampling dishes from a variety of restaurants (as opposed to one big meal). From olives and seafood to ham and cheese, tapas are available at practically every establishment; whether it’s your first time or fiftieth, every bite will have you wondering why anyone would eat anything else.

If you can read between these lines (as they say), you’ll see what we mean. But it doesn’t stop there. Take wine-making as an example – no visit to Spain is complete without stopping by some vineyards to taste their wines firsthand. And don’t forget paella! The perfect way to spend an afternoon on the beach with friends and family, paella originated in Valencia but now spans all over spain. With so many options, it’s hard not to fall in love with spanish culture – after all, traditions like these make up who we are.

One last thing. What if you’re allergic to seafood or red meat? No problem, they have other tapas – like croquetas (which are kind of like fried dumplings) and patatas bravas (an order of deep-fried potatoes with spices and tomatoes on top). We’re drooling just thinking about it.

Regional specialties are everywhere

There are plenty of reasons that exploring regional specialties is worth your time. For one, it’s a great way to explore local culture and flavor. Don’t forget that every region in Spain has its own specific food traditions and flavors—and each region produces its own wines and artisanal food products, too.

You can taste many foods in restaurants that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Make sure you get recipes from locals so you can recreate dishes at home after your trip. These five regions offer some of the best experiences for those who want to really experience Spanish cuisine:
Iberian-central mountain range in northern Spain, known for ham and cheese. The Iberian Peninsula stretches southward towards Africa with Portugal on the west coast; Spain on the east coast; and Andorra just below France. So different yet similar!
The famous Andalusian dish paella originated in this southern province on the Mediterranean coast with seafood like shrimp, mussels, clams or snails as well as chicken or rabbit cooked with saffron rice. Get here via Madrid, Barcelona or Seville. For dessert, you must try flan, which is custard made with eggs and sugar caramelized over a hot water bath. Be sure to pair it with the café con leche (coffee).
Spanish culture dominates all but these two provinces: Basque Country (in the northeast) and Galicia (west). Basque tastes lean more towards salt than sweetness, whereas Galicia combines salty and sweet flavors in dishes like octopus served boiled with potatoes covered in olive oil, onions and garlic seasoned with salt cod roe (baccala), mushrooms and potatoes.

Stay healthy while traveling

Eating well is much easier when you’re at home, but it doesn’t have to be impossible on vacation.you should eat breakfast daily; not only does it set a good tone for your day, but it will also help prevent you from overeating later in the day. And speaking of overindulging, try having smaller portions. It sounds obvious, but many people find that they don’t end up feeling as full or guilty if they eat less at each meal. Going for walks and exploring your surroundings (especially when it comes to restaurants) can be a great way to fit in exercise while also learning about local food and culture.

When it comes to what you’re eating, don’t be afraid to try things that are unfamiliar or look strange. While you should stick with fruits and vegetables when possible, sampling local cuisine is one of best ways to explore cultural differences. If you’re not sure about something, ask your server; they’ll often have plenty of tips for how best to enjoy it. And if you do get sick (or worse), make sure you know how far away medical facilities are before heading out on your trip. You may also want an international insurance policy for extra coverage in case anything goes wrong while traveling abroad.

The restaurant experience

If you’re only staying in one place for a short time, stick with tapas—small plates that can be shared by everyone at your table. Small portions mean less commitment when it comes to ordering food and more room for sampling more items on the menu.

If you’re lucky enough to be spending some time in Spain, grab lunch or dinner at a local bar (or café as they are known) and order pintxos (pronounced pinchos). These are typically appetizers but might also be more than enough food for one person. They make up only part of what is called the Spanish experience but they will give you an idea of how diverse and great Spanish cuisine really is! Some people would say tapas are not authentic because the traditional ones usually have a specific type of ingredient but I prefer them because there is so much variety. But if you don’t like certain foods, I recommend trying something else- Spanish food is all about taste and preference!

The last tip I have is to try the cocido, which is this hearty stew made with meat and vegetables. It’s perfect on cold days or anytime you’re looking for a filling meal. The cocido can come out in different forms depending on where you are in Spain- many places will serve it traditionally as soup but others may offer it up as a full meal served with bread and sometimes dessert too! One last thing before we leave…beer. Many restaurants serve pitchers of beer instead of bottles. The pitcher has already been paid for beforehand so just show up and ask for another glass whenever your glass starts running low- think about how much money this saves when dining out at other places around the world where draft beer may cost $8+ per glass!

Eat dessert first

The Spanish have it right when it comes to food. Dessert first means an entire meal without worrying about calories or whether or not you should skip dessert. It also allows for incredible variety in your dining experience, so make sure you’re taking advantage of every opportunity by eating dessert first and trying as many different foods as possible. If there’s one thing that will let you enjoy what Spain has to offer, it’s letting yourself truly taste the culture.

I would recommend visiting Seville during Semana Santa (Holy Week) because all of the festivities surrounding this time are deeply rooted in religious beliefs and customs, but also have deep ties to cultural heritage. And no matter where you visit during your time here, you’ll be able to taste unique dishes with flavors and textures that are difficult to find anywhere else. Paella is a dish composed of rice, meat, seafood and vegetables. You can find variations on paella throughout the country, but Valencia is known for their seafood-based version. Seafood lovers can rejoice because paella typically includes clams, mussels, prawns and even cuttlefish!

Drink wine with your meals

Do you love wine? Why not try to incorporate it into your meals while you travel in Spain. If you’re just starting out, pick up a bottle from a grocery store and drink half of it before dinner—if it’s good, you can finish off dinner with that bottle and keep the rest for lunch tomorrow. Better yet, try some tapas (Spanish appetizers) like patatas bravas or tortilla Española; both go well with red wine.

For those who prefer white wine, moscatel is the perfect option for savory dishes such as lamb chops marinated in white wine and oregano. However, if you have a sweet tooth then dessert wines are the way to go! Creamy custard desserts like flan taste amazing when paired with an almond liqueur-infused cream sherry.