Spanish food and food culture
Spanish food culture is a good reason to both visit and move to the country. It's a way of socializing around the meal that is of great importance to both the country and the Spaniards themselves. Learn more about what characterizes Spanish food, what are typical Spanish dishes and how to embrace the food culture to enjoy delicious dinners, sunny breakfasts and long lunches, while looking for your dream home.
First - historical facts about Spanish food
Spanish food culture reflects the many different peoples who have invaded and conquered the Iberian Peninsula over the centuries. The greatest influence was the Arab Moors, who ruled Spain for 700 years. They introduced rice, sugar cane, almonds, citrus fruits, eggplant, spinach and artichokes into Spanish cuisine. But also many spices such as black pepper, nutmeg and cumin.
The Phoenicians established the first vineyards. From the Greeks came olives and olive oil, wheat and honey. The long tradition of Spanish hams and sausages comes from the Celts who raised pigs. Tomatoes, potatoes and cayenne pepper are other typical Spanish ingredients introduced from America after the Spanish colonization of the American continent.
Typical Spanish dishes
Spanish dishes are full of flavor. Onions, garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil and lots of fruit and vegetables. If you're on the coast, you'll find fresh fish and seafood every day. The Spanish love to enjoy their food and below you can read about the most typical Spanish dishes.
Spanish tapas
If any tradition or famous food has spread across the world, it is Spanish tapas, one of the most classic ways of eating and socializing in Spain - many small dishes shared with family and friends, often late at night. Quite simply a strong tradition in Spanish food culture. Some of the most famous dishes are Tortilla Española, a variant of omelette made from potatoes and eggs. It is usually served as a cake and can vary in flavor across the country and regions. Gambas al ajillo, a flavorful classic with large shrimps fried in a small clay dish with plenty of olive oil, garlic and parsley. Gazpacho, one of Spain's most famous dishes, a cold soup based on tomato, with hints of cucumber, fresh herbs and garlic. Refreshing and tasty. Famous Spanish cured meats served on the tapas table are Serrano and Iberico - air-dried ham in its finest form. Then we have dishes such as Patatas Bravas, Albóndigas, Pimientos de Padrón, Bacalao, Calamares, Manchego and many more tasty and regional items on the tapas table.
More dishes from Spain
Of course, there are more foods than tapas that are typical of Spain and should not be missed while in the country. Especially paella, which can almost be considered the national dish of Spain even if it is not formally so. Originating from the Valencia region but now found all over Spain, paella is widely known as a Spanish delicacy. Paella, like many other Spanish dishes, has a basic recipe with variations depending on where in the country it is served and the unique family recipe used. But a classic serving is with rice, tomato, peppers, onions, saffron, wine, broth and fresh herbs. Usually accompanied by either different seafood, chicken or spicy sausage or a combination of all of them. The paella is cooked in a large steel pan, called a paella pan, which is very similar to our Swedish muurikka.
Spanish desserts
The Spanish like sweet endings and their most classic desserts are all sugary varieties. Here are some common ones.
Flan, or Flan de huevos, is a pudding similar to brulée and also very similar to another Spanish dessert Crema Catalana. Both have somewhat the same texture and method of preparation. They are an essential part of a Spanish dessert menu.
Churros are the sugared, deep-fried breadsticks that are dipped in a rich chocolate sauce and often sold everywhere on the street in Spain. These are even eaten for breakfast sometimes, although they are more common as a snack or late night meal.
Another traditional sweet is Turrón, which is a hard or soft sweet nougat with honey and whole almonds. Mantecados are popular crispy biscuits, often flavored with lemon or cinnamon, which can be enjoyed with a smooth cup of coffee in the morning. Turrón and Mantecados are particularly popular at Christmas.
Spanish coffee - an essential part of everyday life
You have probably heard Café con leche, Cortado or simply Café. Coffee is an important drink in Spain too, and it is often consumed at a bar counter while chatting with your table neighbors or staff. As in Italy, coffee is brewed and served from an espresso machine. Even in households, there is often a small espresso pot simmering on the stove.
Here are some Spanish coffee glosses that you might want to keep in mind:
Café solo - the same as an espresso. Here you can choose between largo (long) or corto (short), i.e. more or less water for your espresso.
Café doble - a double café solo (espresso).
Cortado - a café solo with some hot milk.
Café Americano - the closest thing to Swedish brewed coffee. Still an espresso but with more hot water.
Café con leche - café solo with hot milk.
Café con hielo - iced coffee. You can order any type of coffee and then add "con hielo".
Spanish food for Christmas and other holidays
Spanish Christmas and Easter food is similar. They think in terms of what is festive to eat at a holiday and these elements are often found at Spanish holidays:
- Entremeses - a tray of various cured meats and cheese.
- Fish and seafood, perhaps a paella.
- Lamb, often as a roast.
- Oven-baked or grilled suckling pig.
- Roscón de Reyes, a sweet Christmas bread often shaped like a wreath and decorated with pickled cherries and sweets. And the aforementioned Turrón and Mantecados.
While some dishes are traditional for holidays across Spain, most regions and families have their own take on Christmas and Easter food.
When do you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in Spain?
Breakfast is often just a cup of coffee and a biscuit, possibly a slice of toasted bread with olive oil and tomato. However, there is a snack in the morning, which may be a sandwich. Lunch is their main meal and is usually served around 14-16.00, it goes on for a long time and then it's time for a siesta, a midday rest. In many parts of the country, shops and workplaces also close at this time of day. Then it's time for a sweet snack around 19:00, because dinner in Spain is not served until 21:00-23:00! The late dinner usually consists of tapas, a few small light dishes to eat before bedtime. New eating habits you will find if you decide to live in Spain.
Do you eat at home or in a restaurant?
In Spain, people rarely eat by themselves and often eat at least one of the day's meals or drink their coffee in a bar, café or restaurant. Eating is socializing and often both family and friends meet together at home or outside to enjoy it together. Although you will eat out much more if you move to Spain, it is also a pleasure to cook here. The ingredients are often locally produced and the aroma and flavor of a fresh fruit or vegetable, along with fine olive oils, sunny eggs and good cheeses make any meal a little easier and more enjoyable to prepare.
Spanish food glosses
The simplest and most common food glosses are what you want to know in Spain. Here we list some food words that we think can be good to have in your luggage:
- Eat - comer
- I'm hungry - tengo hambre
- Breakfast - el desayuno
- Lunch - la comida
- Dinner - la cena
- Coffee - café
- Water - agua
- Juice - zumo/jugo
- Sugar - azúcar
- Salt - sal
- Milk - leche
- Butter - mantequilla
- Cheese - queso
- Yogurt - yogur
- Ice cream - helado
- Bread - pan
- Crackers - galleta
- Sandwich - bocadillo
- Eggs - huevo
- Fruit - fruta
- Vegetable - verdura
- Meat - carne
- Ham - jamón
- Chicken - pollo
- Meatball - albóndiga
- Sausage - salchicha
- Fish - pescado
- Seafood - mariscos
Frequently asked questions about food in Spain