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ES Spanish gastronomy
<<Discover the Spanish Gastronomy>>
SPANISH GASTRONOMY
Spain, is a country located at the Iberian Peninsula, in Southwestern Europe.
As a result of the high strategic relevance (separating the Mediterranean from the Atlantic ) the Iberian Peninsula had, during a long period of time, several civilizations and different cultures that tried to conquer the peninsula, leaving its mark in the own Spanish culture, and of course, in the Spanish gastronomy.
Due to the geographic location too, being mainly surrounded by waters, seafood is one of the Spanish gastronomy pillars. The contrasted orography with the warm climate some regions have during all the year provides a large variety of products.
These factors, along with the long gastronomy tradition and the world top modern cuisine, makes the Spanish gastronomy really rich and varied, as the country itself.
SPANISH PRODUCTS AND DISHES
One of key factors and success of the Spanish gastronomy are the variety and quality of the raw materials and ingredients. Spain is the biggest world olive oil producer, the biggest wine exporter and first and second European fruit and vegetables producer, respectively. Spain is also a fourth pork meat world producer, and is internationally famous due to the Iberico pork, the Iberian black pork, which is unique and it produces the best world charcuterie and cured pork meat, with the ham being the star product.
With regard to the diversity of the country, depending on the region you can find difference specialities, culinary options, techniques, and preferences. On the other hand, it has gastronomy and several dishes in common. Some Spanish plates are world famous, such as the Paella, the Spanish Omelette, the Iberico Ham (which works as a gourmet plate by itself), Croquettes, etc.
Spain is also known for its gastronomic habits, like Mediterranean diet, and traditions, such as Tapas.
TAPAS
The “tapas” is probably the most famous gastronomy tradition. It literally means “covers”, and it refers to small dishes, usually a piece of bread with different products as snacks, to accompany the drink. In the north of Spain, this tradition is more frequently named as “Pinchos” or “Pintxos”.
It has a strong social component, as it is common to be served in pubs and restaurants, and used as a reason to go out and spend time with friends and family.
HAUTE CUISINE
The gastronomic tradition and the interest for gourmet and high quality food is reflected in the Spanish haute cuisine. It is one of the most relevant in the world, with some good restaurants placed on world gastronomic top lists.
These restaurants have been crucial in increasing the international popularity, working as ambassadors.
spanish food: Some famous dishes and tapas
Spanish Ham
The Spanish ham is probably one of the most famous Spanish food, being the Iberico ham the highest quality, considered as gourmet product.
Paella
Paella is the 1º Spanish dish in international popularity. Based on rice, it is original from Valencia, an Eastern region of Spain. It is served as a main plate, but as a tapa too.
Spanish Omelettes
Olive oil, potatoes, onions and eggs. Simple but unique. It is very common to be served as a "pincho de tortilla", a little piece of omelette, as a breakfast or tapa.
Croquettes
There are a lot of variants of Spanish croquettes. The ham croquettes are the most typical, but there are many others made by chicken, mushrooms, "cocido", etc.
MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Mediterranean Diet is not a specific diet, but its more about eating habits, using fresh and local products, like fruits, vegetables, or grans and the olive oil as the main fat ingredient. It has several health benefits and has grown in popularity in the last years around the world, especially in Europe.
Being the Mediterranean Diet original from the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, Spain could be considered the most representative one. Both traditional and modern Spanish cuisine are based on this diet, using a wide spectrum of typical products.