Tapa Origins

Question

What is a "tapa" and where did it originate?

Answer

The word "tapa" means "cover" in Spanish, and derives from the traditional Mediterranean practice of serving a glass of wine covered by a slice of meat or bread.

Some believe the tapa was born when, due to illness, the 13th century Spanish king Alfonso X had to take small bites of food with some wine between meals. Once he recovered, the wise king ordered that no inn in the land of Castile could serve wine unless it was accompanied by something to eat.

Others believe the tapa originated with Spanish field workers, who typically carried flasks of wine and small amounts of food to sustain them through the morning's hard labor.

In the American West, the story goes that barkeeps served drinks with a piece of bread on top to prevent dust from horses running by from getting into the glass. (Some say the barkeep would add a slice of salty cheese, hoping to sell another drink.)

The tradition of the tapa continues today, with other countries adapting it to their particular culinary tastes. In Spain and throughout the Mediterranean, tapas are still regularly served in bars and other gathering spots - often for free.