Page 18 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2024 SPAIN

The Birth of Tapas

The origins of tapas are cloaked in
mystery, with stories ranging from royal
decrees to practical necessity. One popular
tale involves King Alfonso X of Castile, who,
while recovering from illness, was pre-
scribed small portions of food with his
wine. Impressed by the results, he suppos-
edly mandated that taverns serve similar
snacks, or "tapas," with every drink.
There's another theory that people in An-
dalusian taverns would cover their sherry
glasses with bread to keep out dust and
flies. Over time, these coverings evolved
into the delectable bites that are now a
culinary cornerstone of Spain and an ex-
pression of its rich gastronomic heritage.

18 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2024