Food on the Move Tips | Page 30 of 66
Sangria: The Spanish National Cocktail
Sangria is a popular Spanish cocktail that Spaniards often enjoy at home. Authentic sangria is made by macerating fruit in wine for a long period. Sangria comes in many variations, such as traditional red, white, or cava sangria. In 1964, sangria was declared Spain's national drink.
Tinto de Verano: Spanish Summer Wine with Lemonade
Tinto de verano is the summer drink Spaniards actually drink, far more of it than sangria, and the rest of the world barely knows it exists: cheap red wine and lemon soda or sweet clear soda one to one, plenty of ice, a slice of lemon. The legend of how it was born in Cordoba has an innkeeper and a movie in it - just no evidence. What "con limón" and "con blanca" mean, and why good wine has no place in it.
Txokos: The Members-Only Basque Gastronomic Clubs
A txoko is a members-only Basque gastronomic club: a society with its own kitchen and a long table, a place where the members do the cooking, the pouring and the tallying up of what they ate. The Basque Country has over 1,500 of them, the oldest one still running dates to 1870, and under Franco you could hear Basque in them when it was silenced everywhere else. The only way in is an invitation from a member - I never got one.
Txikiteo: Basque Pub Crawl
Txikiteo is a Basque tradition where people move from one bar to another, sampling each establishment's renowned specialties. Each venue is often famous for only a few dishes that it prepares perfectly. Small glasses of beer (zuritos) or wine (txikito) are ordered with the food. Txikiteo is an important part of Basque identity.
Cava: Spanish Champagne
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine produced using the traditional bottle fermentation method, similar to French Champagne. It is primarily made in Catalonia from local grape varieties. The production process involves secondary fermentation in the bottle and aging in underground cellars for at least 9 months. Cava was officially recognized in 1972 and is now the second best-selling sparkling wine in the world after Champagne.
Spanish Cheese
Spain is a true cheese powerhouse with a rich tradition dating back to ancient Rome. The country produces more than 150 types of high-quality and diverse cheeses, many of which have protected designation of origin (DOP). Among the most famous Spanish cheeses are Manchego, the king of Spanish cheeses made from sheep's milk, Mahón cheese with its distinctive orange rind, and Cabrales, a blue cheese from Asturias aged in natural caves.
La Hora del Vermut: Time for Spanish Vermouth!
Vermouth is an aromatic alcoholic beverage with a long tradition that has gained immense popularity in Spain. It is made from white wine enriched with wormwood, cinnamon, cloves, and other ingredients. Vermouth is an integral part of Spanish gastronomic culture and pairs wonderfully with local tapas. The tradition of drinking vermouth is associated with "la hora del vermut" (vermouth hour), a time spent with friends before lunch.
Spanish Olive Oil
Spain is the world's largest producer of olive oil. Olive oil, an inseparable part of Spanish cuisine, is produced using both traditional and modern methods from various olive varieties such as Picual, Arbequina, Hojiblanca, and Cornicabra. Notable production regions include Andalusia, Catalonia, and Castilla-La Mancha, each with its own unique flavor and aromatic profiles.
Patxaran: The Sloe Liqueur of Navarre and the Basque Country
Patxaran is a liqueur of wild sloes steeped for months in anise spirit - a deep ruby, sweet, ice-cold digestif drunk all over Spain. The name is Basque, but the protected designation Pacharán Navarro belongs to Navarre. What "de Arañón" on the label means, why the legend about the monks doesn't hold up, and how it tasted after a tasting menu in Alicante.
Erriberako merkatua/Mercado de la Ribera: The Ship-Shaped Market in Bilbao
The Erriberako merkatua market in Bilbao is an architectural gem with a unique design resembling an overturned ship. The shape of the building symbolizes the significance of the Nervión River and maritime activities for the city. The interior of the market is airy and well-organized, offering a wide range of fresh and high-quality foods, from fruits and vegetables to meats, fish, cheeses, and local specialties. The market also features bars and bistros serving traditional Basque pintxos.