Tapas = Spanish Food?
In this FAQ, Jonathan, founder of The Tapas Lunch Company, talks about what constitutes real Spanish food. Q: Does Spanish food equal tapas? A: No, not really, but in the UK the two terms have become pretty much synonymous. The origin of tapas, the ancient practice of a bar providing small bits of food to customers to cover their drinks in order to keep out dirt and bugs, is now well known and a bit of a cliche. Tapas is just one part of gastronomic culture in Spain and has been interpreted in a different way here in the UK to suit our tastes. Q: So, what is the difference between tapas in the UK and in Spain? A: Essentially the same typical dishes are present. Readers will probably be familiar with tortilla de patatas, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo and suchlike, but the concept is different in the two countries. In Spain, tapas are a sort of appetiser to be enjoyed with drinks (but not necessarily given free any more). The portions are very small and rarely would tapas be consid
