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Question: What are Tapas? Tapas are snacks, canapes or finger food that originated in Spain. Tapas come in many different forms and can vary from town to town! But, what are they? Answer: Tapas can be practically anything from a chunk of tuna, cocktail onion and an olive skewered on a long toothpick, to piping hot meat with sauce served in a miniature - or anything in between. Tapas are served day in and day out in every bar and cafe in Spain. So much a part of the culture and social scene that the Spanish people invented the verb tapear which means to go and eat Tapas! Tapas keeps the Spanish fueled for their long journeys from bar to bar before their midday meal, as well as in the evening before dinner. The Origin of Tapas There are several stories about the origin of tapas, which are a part of the folklore: It is told that King Alfonso X, El Sabio or "The Wise One," made sure that Castilian taverns served wine accompanied by something to eat, so that the wine would not go straight to the clients' heads. Another story claims that while on a long trip, King Alfonso had stopped to rest in the town of Ventorillo del Chato in the southern province of Cadiz, and he ordered a glass of jerez or sherry. There was a gusty wind, so the inn keeper served him his glass of sherry covered by a slice of ham to prevent the sherry from getting dirty. King Alfonso apparently liked it, and when he asked for a second glass, he requested another tapa or "cover" just like the first.
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