The olive, also referred as aceituna, is the country’s most popular snack. At the bar or restaurant, it’s mostly served complimentary. Occasionally, it’s cracked and preserved on the premises, always served brined, never in oil. Their taste can be a combination of salty, bitter, and mellow.

Wine

Spain is a land of wine, with more land under vine than any other. It is the third largest producer of wine in the world and can boast seventy-one regions (called denominaciones de origen or DO). That being said, they are not big consumers of wine. Wine is a stalwart classic gastronomic feature of the dinner table; a drink that is commonly drunk as part of a sit-down meal or in a restaurant or bar with food. The locals don’t really consider wine an ‘alcohol’ but more of a foodstuff.

The idea of the DO is an important one. In Spain wine is usually ordered by the region, not by the grape. For example, Tempranillo is grown all over the country and gives different wines, so you would order a glass of Rioja or a Ribera, not Tempranillo itself. Currently becoming more popular and widespread are the wines from the level below DO, the Vino de la Tierra designation. Be on the lookout for these as less regulation sometimes means more creativity. Though the country is famous for its big juicy reds, the northwestern whites and some good dry rosés are worth trying.

Beer

Spain is a beer drinking country, locals drink almost as much beer as the French drink wine! Though the craft beer revolution has definitely arrived to Spain, the traditional style is a cold and refreshing lager/pilsner style. Spaniards normally drink smaller servings: the most common is a small ‘caña’ size, not pints.

Sherry     

Sherry or ‘jerez’ (pronounced he-reth in Spanish), is a fortified wine originally from the province of Cádiz, in the southern Andalusia region. It is typically enjoyed in a short, narrow glass called a ‘copita’. The wine is matured in oak casks in the right conditions to promote the growth of a layer of ‘flor’ (Spanish for flower) over the wine, a yeast key in turning the initial white wine into a unique, complex drink. The versatility of this drink makes it great for any occasion, but it really shines as an aperitif before lunch or as a mid-afternoon snack alongside a small salty tapa.

The popularity of sherry wine has been increasing in the recent decades, both outside and inside the country. Spanish restaurants or bars abroad now feature a surprising range of sherry varieties, each one produced in slightly different ways, providing pretty distinct results. Contrary to popular opinion, the acidity and taste of sherry wines can vary enormously, ranging from rich and sweet wines to sharper, dry styles.



Fino. A very dry pale sherry, matured under the ‘flor’ yeast layer. A very dry and delicate style and a great pairing with salty and oily snacks.

Manzanilla. The lightest and most refreshing of sherries with a subtle salty aftertaste, it is perfect to pair with deep-fried or oily dishes.

Amontillado. A fino that has aged oxidatively after the flor dies, boasting an amber colour and a deep, nutty flavour.

Oloroso. A wine that experience maturation by oxidation but no flor contact, this sherry is brown in colour and has rich notes of nuts and caramel.

Palo cortado. A rare, delicate and complex sherry somewhere between fino and amontillado.

Pedro Ximénez. Darkly coloured and richly sweet, this is a sherry made from the Pedro Ximénez grapes after they are dried in the sun.
 

Cava

Cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne; a fresh sparkling wine made in the same traditional method. Like its French cousin, there are white and rosé styles ranging from the dry (the Bruts) to sweet (the Secos and Dulces). As an aperitif served with cured meats and cheese, it is unparalleled.

Vermouth

‘Vermut’ or ‘vermú’ in Spanish, is a popular aperitif made with fortified wine which is infused with botanicals to provide its characteristic sweet, scented taste. It is traditionally served on ice with a slice of orange. Vermouth is typically enjoyed before lunchtime, perhaps over a small snack or while waiting, but never during the main meal. Although once considered an ‘old man’s drink’, vermouth has become a popular drink among the younger generations, especially in the biggest cities of Madrid and Barcelona.

Licores

Sweet wines and digestifs are a common occurrence after the meal. The latter are typically served ice-cold in a shot glass and are popularly known to aid digestion. The most famous type of digestif is licor de hierbas (herbal spirit), astringent and aromatic in equal parts. Anís, made with aniseed, is sweet and fragranced. Licor de café (coffee liquor) and patxarán (sloe gin) are typical from the north of Spain. Mistela a sweet wine liquor, and moscatel (Muscat wine) are popular dessert wines, best served with dried fruits or confectionery.

Café

Coffee is an essential finale to the traditional Spanish meal. Usually, a cortado (single espresso with a shot of milk) or café con leche (single espresso with a bit more milk but less froth than a latte). If you've got a sweet tooth, try ordering bombón, a single espresso with a dollop of condensed milk.

Those who don't drink coffee generally would go for an infusión (herbal tea). Some of the most popular being menta-poleo (peppermint), manzanilla (chamomile) or anís (aniseed).

Horchata

Although traditionally not part of a meal, horchata deserves a category on its own. The sweet and milky drink is made with Tiger nut tubers — an Islamic import— and is loved in Eastern Spain where it’s the most popular. Not to be confused with the Latin American horchata, which is made from different ingredients. Spanish horchata is mostly enjoyed in the afternoon. It is served on its own, ice-cold and at a special establishment called a horchatería. Some restaurants abroad might serve the bottled variety, which is often of less quality than the freshly made type.

 

Croquetas

One of the most classic examples of Spanish comfort food. Breadcrumbed and deep-fried béchamel rolls, usually filled with jamón (cured ham), chicken or bacalao (salt cod). The flavour should be clearly distinguishable at the first morsel, if a bit rich. Croquetas must be served freshly fried, crispy outside and with a piping-hot soft inside.

Fried seafood

Chipirones / Calamares / Fritura de pescado

Pretty much any type of deep-fried seafood, coated with a light batter or dusted with flour. Frituras are true staples at any given Spanish bar, and some of the most recognisable tapas. Some of the most famous include chipirones (baby squid), calamares (squid rings) or a fritura de pescado platter combining seafood and small fish. Squeezing some lemon over the fish is customary. They are best washed down with an ice-cold beer.

Gambas al ajillo

Garlic prawns

The appeal of this famous tapa lies in the combination of fresh prawns, loads of garlic (al ajillo meaning ‘garlic-style’) and the odd dried chilli. Preparation is minimal here, the ingredients are thrown into a preheated earthenware dish with oil, then served straight away while the prawns are still being cooked. For the grand finale, the sizzling dish appears on the table, bubbling hot and fragrant with heaps of garlic and perfectly cooked prawns. This shared dish unequivocally calls for a chunk of bread. Dip it into the garlicky oil while you help yourself to some prawns.

Gazpacho

Blended tomato, cucumber, red or green pepper, onion and garlic in its most popular form. Its colour varies from orange to red depending on the proportion of green/red vegetables. This liquified salad is a refreshing summer classic, especially in the hottest regions. The taste of garlic and vinegar should be subtle and not mask the flavour of the vegetables. A topping of ice cubes or finely chopped vegetables are a great addition.
Salmorejo, a similar-looking dish, relies on tomatoes and bread to achieve a creamier, thicker consistency than gazpacho. It is garnished with Spanish ham and hard-boiled eggs, both finely chopped

Griddled seafood

Marisco/gambas a la plancha

In this economical cooking method, seafood is laid on a very hot metal griddle until perfectly cooked. To help lock in the juices and prevent excessive charring, generous amounts of coarse sea salt are smothered on the griddle beforehand. Almost anything can be cooked on the plancha, from gambas (prawns), cigalas (langoustines) or sepia (cuttlefish) to shellfish like almejas (clams), navajas (razor clams) or atún (tuna steak). A dressing of olive oil, garlic and chopped parsley may be added a couple of minutes before serving.

Tabla de ibéricos

Ibérico de Bellota charcuterie board 

Often a good starting point for anyone who wants to try a range of Ibérico charcuterie. An assortment would commonly feature jamón (ham), lomo (loin), chorizo (paprika-spiced cured sausage), salchichón (peppercorn-spiced cured sausage) and occasionally, cecina (air-dried beef).


Jamón
Spaniards claim to be producers of the world’s best cured ham, jamón ibérico de bellota. The leg of the acorn-fed Iberian pig is internationally sought-after for its deliciously marbled meat and intense nutty flavour. The fat itself should render down just by the heat of a finger. Any jamón not offered as ‘bellota’ means it has been fed on fodder, rather than acorns. Jamón should have been freshly hand-carved to order, thin slices arranged carefully over a serving plate at room temperature. It is occasionally served with small breadsticks.

Fabada

Galician butter bean stew

A thick soup made of one type of bean that’s slowly braised alongside meat, bones and/or sausages. Fabada, made with white beans, chorizo, morcilla (black pudding), jamón bones and panceta/tocino (pork belly/cured lard) is both a restaurant and home classic. Other legume stews you’ll likely come across are potaje (chickpeas with salt cod and spinach), alubias de Tolosa (black Tolosa bean stew), or lentejas (brown lentil stew).

Boquerones

Marinated anchovies

Cleaned, deboned and marinated anchovies in white vinegar. Served dressed with parsley, garlic, salt and olive oil. This simple yet piquant tapa is a beloved classic in any Spanish bar.

Pulpo a feira

Galician-style octopus / Pulpo a la gallega

Simple and rustic boiled octopus from the northwestern Galicia region. Cooked until perfectly tender, thickly sliced and laid over a bed of boiled potato. Served sprinkled with salt, pimentón (Spanish paprika) and extra virgin olive oil.

Cochinillo

Suckling pig roast

A delectable way of cooking suckling pig, it is slow roasted until the crackling skin separates from the butter-soft meat, after hours of cooking. It’s not a frequent sight outside Spain, but if you happen to come across it, gather a bunch of friends and enjoy a meal you will never forget. For the whole animal, you might need to let the restaurant know a day or two in advance.

Paella

Paella valenciana 

This much-debated dish is both locally and internationally loved. Rather than a single recipe, paella (also the name of the pan, pronounced pa-ey-ya) is a way of cooking rice, uncovered, over a wide and shallow surface. Pieces of meat, poultry and vegetables or a mix of seafood are boiled to create a rich stock before the addition of the rice.

The rice should be fully cooked but dry, with no remaining moisture on the pan. The layer of rice is meant to be finger-thin and proportional to the pan. A thick layer of rice means the rice grains will be overcooked at the bottom and undercooked on the top – not a pleasant bite! Sometimes, a sought-after crust called socarrat can occur, as the remaining oil caramelises the bottom.

Paella valenciana is considered the most classic recipe, made with local ingredients widely available in and around Valencia: chicken, rabbit, snails, green beans, fresh garrofó (butter beans) and saffron.

Other seafood paellas easily found are Alicante’s arroz a banda (seafood-flavoured paella), arroz del señoret (shell-less seafood paella) or arroz negro (squid ink paella). Small fish and crabs are used to make the stock, whilst monkfish, cuttlefish, squid, shellfish or prawns can serve as ingredients.

Countless variations can be found, some with better luck than others, like the mixed seafood-meat versions or others featuring chorizo slices. The latter is particularly repudiated by Spaniards since the sausage overpowers all flavour nuances in the dish, and is often an attempt by foreign chefs to make it look ‘more Spanish’. These aren’t traditional recipes, but might still taste good if they are based on quality ingredients sensibly put together.

Fideuà, as a paella-style dish made with short vermicelli noodles, falls into a slightly different category. The texture of fideuà is much less starchy than paella, although it should remain wet or dry, but never soupy. Some fideuàs feature meat, game and mushrooms instead of seafood. A pungent, garlic-intense allioli is commonly served as a dipping sauce, occasionally on top of the dish.

Escalivada

Roasted vegetables salad / esgarraet

Red peppers, aubergines and onions roasted until soft until the flavours start to turn sweet. Dressed with a pinch of salt, vinegar, and plenty of  extra virgin olive oil – do not hesitate to dip bread in the juices. Served at room temperature, it’s often topped with preserved anchovies, olives or bonito chunks.

Ensaladilla rusa

Potato salad / Olivier salad

The widely reimagined Olivier salad holds a special place in the hearts of the Spanish people. The mix of ingredients is debated, but potatoes, carrots, eggs, tuna, mayonnaise and some sort of pickle tend to be the most common. Use breadsticks to scoop up the mixture and wash it down with a cold beer.

Mojama

Salt-cured fish / hueva / salazones

Salt-cured fish served thinly sliced, either as an assortment over a simple tomato salad or simply with a few almonds. The flavour is pure umami, with an iodine heavy flavour that comes from this age-old way of preserving fish. It’s likely you will be served either mojama (lean tuna), or hueva (grey mullet roe), but either way you’ll need a piece of bread to go with it.

Ajoblanco

Garlic cold soup

This invigorating cold soup is a Southern Spain summer standard based on the smoothed amalgamation of almonds, garlic and bread. Fresh grapes are halved and dropped on the soup as garnish. Feel free to drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on top.

Tabla de quesos

Spanish cheese board

Despite not enjoying the overseas popularity of other European cheeses, Spain has an overwhelming number of award-winning cheese varieties, most of which are strongly tied to a specific town or region. Any menu might feature manchego, a piquant sheep milk cheese from La Mancha region, a pungent blue cheese from northern Spain and idiazábal, a famed Basque variety. In any case, being adventurous pays off, so it’s often best to just let your waiter serve you their recommendations. A small portion of membrillo quince paste is customarily served to provide a sweet contrast.

Tortilla de patatas

Tortilla española / Spanish omelette

A thick (often very thick) omelette made with egg, potato slices and –depending on what family, town or region the chef is from– onion. The omelette mix is set in a shallow pan and served either with a runny inside or fully set. It’s not uncommon to find variations with different fillings, although Spaniards stick to the classic recipe in most cases. Other popular variants are tortilla de bacalao (with salt cod) or tortilla de espinacas (with spinach) – avoid ones filled with chorizo. A tortilla de patatas portion works best as a tapa rather than as a course in a meal, except when served with accompaniments like pisto (Spanish ratatouille).

Txuletón

Basque rib-eye steak / chuletón de buey / txuleta

A succulent, complex and intensely meaty rib-eye steak from aged cows and oxen. Txuletón is the jewel of the crown in Basque cider houses and asadores (traditional grill houses), and is one of the most appreciated cuts of meat available. This love for perfectly cooked meat has produced a high level of skill and specialisation in the Basque Country, where some of its most famous asadores have acquired recognition for the world’s best steak. 

The finest quality comes from the rubia gallega (Galician blond), an indigenous breed reared only for beef and fattened until remarkably old, just when the marbling of its meat and the characteristic rich yellow fat reaches peak level. In true Basque tradition, the meat is later aged between 2 to 5 weeks, letting the muscle fibres relax and enhancing its taste. The loin and the rib bone is sliced into steaks at least 4cm, averaging somewhere between 800g and 1400g. They are sealed over the grill and then smothered with coarse sea salt until perfectly cooked.

The resulting steak is lightly chargrilled on the outside, half a centimetre well cooked but with a deep red rare inside. It’s served on a hot plate trimmed around the bone, with the meat and fat sliced in thick segments. Its intense beefy flavour should remind you of fresh pastures and cream. Since it’s quite a rich and filling portion, the best possible way to eat a txuletón is to share it among a few diners, accompanied with a good wine and a light lettuce salad to freshen the palate.

Fish in salsa verde

Bacalao (cod) / merluza (hake) in salsa verde

Fresh cod or hake fillets braised in salsa verde, a sauce made with garlic, flour, white wine and olive oil – garnished with very thinly chopped parsley for colour. The sauce is thickened by the juices from the fish (often including clams) and the olive oil, ending with a smooth, glossy texture. The subtle taste of this sauce goes well with the easily-flaked, silky-white fish.

Arroz con leche

Spanish-style rice pudding

Spain’s version of the famous pan-eurasian dessert. Creamy and intensely flavoured with cinnamon, it’s commonly garnished with orange peel to give clear citrus notes – a common garnish to many Spanish desserts.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Luke Darracott is a British writer, wine expert and linguist based in Madrid.

Marta Vergara is a marketing executive stablished in Madrid and devote of all Spanish food.

Cameron Black is an advertising creative and copywriter from London.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Eli Gonzalez, Jordi Candela, Luis Javier Murcia, Sagardi Restaurant London, Elisabeth Bolzon.

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS:

Arroz con leche: recetas-de-cocina-casera.com, Boquerones: Wikimedia Commons, Cochinillo: Hogarmania, Croquetas: Shutterstock, Ensaladilla: gastronomistas.com, Escalivada: Wikimedia Commons, Fish in salsa verde: © Restaurante Lagunak (Barcelona), Fried seafood: Gettyimages, Gazpacho: The Star, Griddled seafood: Restaurante La Pesquera, Paella: Guía La Safor, Pulpo a feira: Sonia Selma Management, Salazones: Bitácora Culinaria, Tabla de ibéricos: Mesón La Sidrería, Tabla de quesos: Restaurante Pirámides, Txuletón: Sagardi Restaurant London.