Food on the Move Tips | Page 31 of 66
Spanish Beer
Spain has a rich beer culture that differs slightly from the Czech one. Draft beer sizes range from small 0.1 liter servings (zurito), to the most common 0.2 liters (caña), up to 0.5 liters (jarra). In Spain, you can taste many interesting brands such as Mahou, Estrella Damm, Cruzcampo, San Miguel, Alhambra, Estrella de Levante, and Estrella Galicia. Whether you're in a bar, a restaurant, or on the beach, a glass of beer is always within reach in Spain.
Wines of Alicante
Alicante is a paradise for wine lovers, where the unique character and flavor of the wines arise from the ideal combination of Mediterranean and continental climates, along with diverse soil conditions. The region is particularly renowned for the Monastrell, Moscatel, and Giró grape varieties, which produce wines rich in intense aromas and flavors of dark fruit, spices, or floral notes. The quality and origin of these wines are guaranteed by two official designations - the prestigious Denominación de Origen Alicante and Vinos de la Tierra de Alicante.
Nispero de Callosa: The Golden Fruit
Callosa d'en Sarrià, a picturesque town between Alicante and Valencia, has gained fame as a major center for the cultivation of Japanese loquat, known as "nisperos." The fruit is distinguished by its sweet, delicate flavor reminiscent of a blend of peach, apricot, and plum. The designation Nispero de Callosa, a protected geographical indication for fruits from this area, signifies top-notch quality.
Coca: Traditional Valencian Pastry
Coca is a traditional Valencian pastry that boasts various shapes, sizes, and fillings. The base consists of a flat dough, onto which different ingredients are added before baking, according to regional customs, ranging from tuna and vegetables to cheese and meat. Due to this variability, there are many types of coca that visually differ. During my stay in Alicante, I tasted several variants, of which the most interesting to me were coca filled with tuna and coca filled with vegetables.
Herbero: Herbal Liqueur from Alicante
Herbero is a traditional herbal liqueur from the Sierra de Mariola mountain range in the Alicante province. It is made by macerating at least four local herbs in alcohol, which gives it a distinctive flavor and color. Popular brands include Doblón Licor de Hierbas, which I had the opportunity to try myself.
Mercat Central d'Alacant: The Market Where Alicante Shops and Has Breakfast
Alicante's central market is a covered hall from 1922 with 292 stalls on two floors: fish downstairs, fruit, vegetables, cheese and cured meats upstairs, and in between them bars where the late morning brings a second breakfast - with vermouth. The province of Alicante sends turrón, Fondillón, prawns from Denia and coca amb tonyina; jamón only passes through. The clock in the display case has read 11:19 since May 1938.
Spanish Canned Goods: Delicacies at Surprising Prices
In Spain, canned goods are considered a luxury delicacy and are commonly featured on local restaurant menus. Unlike the Czech perception of cans as cheap and quick meals, Spanish "conservas" stand out for their top-notch quality and freshness. Spain is one of the world's leading producers of canned foods, which include seafood, vegetables, and game birds.
Kalimotxo: The Basque Name for Wine and Cola
Kalimotxo is cheap red wine and cola in equal parts, with ice and a slice of lemon - back home we know the same drink as houba. People had been mixing wine and cola in Spain long before that, but the name came from a crew in Getxo who had two thousand liters of wine turn sour on them in August 1972. How kalimotxo is drunk at Basque festivals, why it has two spellings, and how it tasted in the sun outside a bar in San Sebastián.
Txakoli: Traditional Basque Wine
Txakoli is a traditional, lightly sparkling, and refreshing white wine from the Basque Country, made from local grape varieties. It is characterized by high acidity, low alcohol content, and fresh notes of citrus and green apples. Traditionally served chilled, it is poured in a distinctive manner from a height into wide glasses. Txakoli pairs excellently with local Basque specialties.
Gilda: The Most Famous Basque Pintxo
Pintxo Gilda is the most famous pintxo of all. It is named after the film character Gilda, with the combination of anchovies, spicy peppers, and olives symbolizing her complex personality and sensuality. Gilda is traditionally served as part of "la hora del vermut," a social and gastronomic tradition where people gather before lunch for a glass of vermouth and various tapas. For me, pintxo Gilda is a must-try when visiting the Basque Country.