Tapas: They're More Than Just Apps
Learn a little about these fabulous finger foods!
By Amigofoods
by Brian Alcamo
If you’re even slightly interested in Spanish culture, Spanish cooking, or even just appetizers in general, you’re most likely familiar with the concept of tapas. Maybe you’ve been to a tapas bar in a city near you, or a party where they’re served. Even if you’ve simply been to a restaurant and decided to make a meal with your friends out of shared ~apps~ as opposed to entrees, you’ve made a tapas-inspired choice. But what’s so special about those teeny, tiny portions? And what makes them an iconic part of Spanish cuisine? Let’s find out!
The Origins of Tapas
Unsurprisingly, the origin of the tapa is hard to track down. Each region in Spain declares itself the home of the culinary tradition, and there’s an origin story for practically every century after the year 1100 CE.
Many of these stories point the food’s history towards Spain’s medieval kings, but regardless of the origin story’s protagonist, one practically inarguable portion of every anecdote can be found in the word’s etymology. The word tapa comes from the verb taper or “to cover” in English, and una tapa is also the Spanish word for “a lid.” Many of the stories down below include an innovative bartender using small slices of bread, cheese, and/or ham as a way of protecting customers’ drinks from dust and flies. In this way, the tapa was a literal lid for the drink. Cutesy, right?
There are plenty of potential starting places for the beginnings of tapas in Spain. Here are a few of them in chronological order.
Mid-1200s: Alfonso the Wise Cracker (a literal cracker)
King Alfonso X (El Sabio, “The Wise”) ate tiny portions of food to quell the effects of all the wine he was prescribed to drink on account of an illness (medieval medicine sounds like an absolute dream). Upon recovery, the king declared that everyone in his domain should serve small amounts of food with their alcohol to prevent public drunkenness. This decree was also a way of helping feed the poor who spent their money on wine rather than food.
2. Late 1400s: Inquisition Infiltration
Sadly and antisemetically, this origins story claims that tapas with ham or other non-kosher foods were used as a way of identifying Jewish people during the Spanish Inquisition.
3. 1500s: Stink Seal
Later in the 16th Century, tavern owners in Castille-La Mancha took the concept of tapa-as-lid to the next level, using it to not only protect the drink from aeronautical invasions but also to conceal the poor quality of their wine. They served mature (read: stinky) cheese on top of wine glasses to mask the sour odors of their bad wine.
4. Early 1600s: Same Story, Different King
Very similar to the story of King Alfonso X, King Felipe III wanted to require food be served in bars to prevent drunken debauchery.
5. Late 1700s: Roadtrip Treats
During the late 18th Century, travel throughout Spain had begun to become more common. What hadn’t become more common yet, though, was reading. Tapas were offered to guests of hotels, inns, and hostels as a way of informing customers of the meals available, since most people were illiterate at the time. The tiny version of the big meal was displayed on the pot’s tapa.
6. Late 1800s:
On a trip to the beachside town of Cadiz, King Alfonso XII ordered a glass of wine. The wine was served with a slice of ham to prevent beach sand from blowing into the glass. On the next round of drinks, the King ordered his wine specifically with a tapa.
These six legends of the beginnings of tapas only scratch the surface of tapa lore-galore, but luckily all of them conclude with the wonderful continuation of this fabulous eating style.
Tapas Today
Tapas remained so popular because they provided a fun way for people to eat a small snack before their late dinners, since Spaniards typically eat their third meal very late, around 9 or 10 pm. Going out to multiple tapas bars is considered an activity in its own right, and is referred to as ir de tapas. Nowadays, residents of Spain are much more open to eating an entire meal composed of tapas, forgoing more traditional and formal dining practices. Some other verbs that can apply to the activity of going out for tapas include picar which means “to pick,” along and the more modern verb tapear which means “to have tapas.”
Vocabulary for Your Night Out On the (Tapas) Town
Ir de tapas - To go out for tapas
El barman - Bartender
Tenir hambre - To be hungry
La cuenta - The bill
Salir - To go out
In some cities such as Granada, Almeria, or Jaen, tapas flow freely alongside alcoholic beverages (salty food = more drink orders). However, complimentary tapas aren’t customary all over Spain, and many tapas-eaters order and pay for tapas from a menu like any other dish. If bar-goers want to order a larger portion of a specific tapa, they can ask for a ración.
Tapas have become part of the Spanish national identity, and have become a point of cultural pride for all Spaniards. Cities across the country compete to be the number one spot for having tapas. According to Spain Holidays, Malaga, Granada, Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, and San Sebastian are the six leading cities for authentic and delicious tapas in Spain.
Certain olives, nuts, meats, and cheeses conquer the entire Iberian peninsula and are able to be found at every bar from Galicia to Malaga. The most common tapas are easy-to-prepare foods that typically don’t require cooking. Think chorizo, olives, cheese, and cured meats. Some common cooked tapas include patatas/papas bravas (delicious fried potatoes served with a spicy sauce), tortilla de patatas (a Spanish omelet), meatballs with tomato sauce, and fried calamari. Beyond these typical tastings, flavors and ingredients of tapas morph and modify according to the traditions and tastes of each Spanish region. For instance in Spain’s Basque Country, their local tapas are known as pintxos, which are served on a slice of bread and held together by a toothpick. There are also tapas known as montaditos and banderillas.
Tapas have since become a global phenomenon, meaning that most anything can be a tapa (if you believe in yourself). Even more experimental restaurateurs will “tapafy” their menus, not being afraid to use non-Spanish ingredients or modern cooking techniques. Not convinced? Check out Natsumi Tapas, a Japanese-Italian fusion tapas restaurant in New York City. That’s 4 countries represented all in one tiny tapa!
Tapas are fun. They’re small, they’re cute, they’re casual. Through tapas, Spain has exported an incredibly powerful part of its culture that goes beyond recipes and touches the daily lives of people around the world. Not only do tapas hark back to Spain for what people choose to eat, it also points back to the country for how people choose to eat.
Thanks for Reading!
Do you enjoy tapas? Comment your favorite dish below, and be sure to share this post with a friend!
Thumbnail photo by Sonia.
7 Latin American LGBTQIA+ Films to Watch For Pride Month
7 films to practice your Spanish while getting your pride on!
Happy Pride Month! Remember movies? No, remember going to the movies? Neither do we. Luckily, the country’s successful vaccination campaign means that movie theaters are opening up again and it’s once again safe to head back to one of those big, over-air conditioned rooms. However, while we love going to movie theaters, they do typically lack in foreign language films. Watching movies is a great way to practice your target language, especially practicing listening to multiple speakers at the same time. So what’s a Spanish learner to do? Check out one of these 7 fantastic Spanish-language LGBTQIA+ films for a pride-filled language learning adventure!
Fuera de Carta (Spain 2008)
Fuera de Carta (Chef’s Special— literally ‘outside of the menu’) is a comedy about a chef who is running a busy restaurant. Disruptions to his already hectic life come to him in the form of being reunited with his estranged children, a new same-sex romantic interest, and the Michelin Guide food critic is coming to review his restaurant. Can he(name?) have it all? Watch on (streaming platform) to find out!
You can rent Fuera de Carta on Apple TV.
2. Joven y Alocada (Chile 2012)
Have you ever seen the show Awkward? Or perhaps Gossip Girl? Right in line with the late 2000s, early 2010s “Precocious Blogger” aesthetic, Joven y Alocada (Young and Wild) follows (name), a typical Chilean teenager who expounds the details of her personal life on a blog with an audience of zero. As her life becomes tangled in bisexual romance and religious conservatism, her blog gains notoriety as the hottest webpage in town. In addition to being heartwarming and funny, this juicy coming-of-age story is based on a real blog!
You can rent Joven y Alocada on YouTube and Google Play.
3. Plata Quemada (Spain 2001)
Plata Quemada (Burnt Money) isn’t your classic queer romance flick. It’s no Brokeback Mountain, and it certainly isn’t Call Me By Your Name. This film is a gay Bonnie and Clyde. The story’s got action, crime, and romantic passion and it’s not afraid to play with your favorite movie trops along the way.
You can watch Plata Quemada on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Viva (Ireland):
Although its director is Irish (Paddy Breathnach), Viva is a Spanish-language film. The drama centers on Jesus (Héctor Medina), a young gay Cuban man who dreams of becoming a drag queen. These dreams are put on hold when Jesus’s estranged father (name) returns. Throughout the movie, our protagonist must make a painful choice between living his truth and being with his family.
You can rent Viva on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.
5. Contracorriente
Contracorriente (Undertow) is a film that follows Miguel as he sneaks around his small Peruvian fishing village to be with his secret lover Santiago. Without giving too much away, the film quickly takes a turn and weaves a coming out narrative into a story about ghosts and the rumor mill that is inevitable in small-town life
You can rent Contracorriente on Apple TV.
6. Todo Sobre Mi Madre (Spain 1999)
¡Penelope Cruz Alert! Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother) is a complex trans-positive story that was ahead of its time. The film follows Manuela as she travels from Madrid to Barcelona after the death of her son Esteban in search of Lola, her son’s biological father. Manuela reunites with her self-actualized and transitioned ex-lover as she learns about an entire new world of queer Spaniards.
You can watch Todo Sobre Mi Madre on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
7. Elisa y Marcela
This film is based on the true story of the first gay marriage in Spain. Taking place in 1901, the film follows Elisa and Marcela as they try to get their love solidified under the power of Holy Matrimony. While Elisa y Marcela hasn’t received the best reviews from critics, it is still an in depth look at some of the events surrounding the notorious marriage and provides a great way to practice your Spanish.
You can watch Elisa y Marcela on Netflix.
8. Bonus: Gun Hill Road
While this film isn’t in Spanish, it is a fantastic glimpse into Bronx Latinx life. The film follows Enrique as he adjusts back to life after prison and living with his trans daughter, Vanessa. Its storyline has been critiqued as being a touch cliche at times, but the film is praised for providing a slice of life on what it’s like to live in the Bronx, using Vanessa to shed light on the experiences of trans women of color.
You can rent Gun Hill Road on Amazon Prime Video.
Some Spanish Vocab to Help You Talk About Movies
La película - Film
El cine - Movie theater (Also “film” informally in the US)
El argumento - Plot
El personaje - Character
El escenario - Setting
Thanks for Reading!
Have any other LGBTQIA+ Spanish-Language films that you love? Comment their names below!
Thumbnail photo by Photo by Corina Rainer
The Basics of Salsa Dancing
The ins and outs of a dance with as many variations as the sauce it shares its name with.
by Brian Alcamo
Salsa! It’s a dance, it’s a sauce, it’s a saucy dance! But where did this popular dance come from, and how did it become a global phenomenon? Let’s investigate.
Origins of Salsa
The claim to salsa is contentious! The origins of the dance are hard to pin down, and many cultures vye to take pride in being its sole creator. However, we can say that salsa has many roots in the traditional Cuban dances of casino, mambo, and pachango, and mixes American jazz styles in as well. The style was brought to popularity in the US by Puerto Rican New Yorkers (or Nuyoricans). As for who started the style de verdad, that’s not our call to make. Art is collaborative, okay? Let’s just agree that it’s a super popular, iconic dance that evokes the music and dance of many Latin American cultures.
What we can say about Salsa’s origins is that it got its name from The Fania record label, the leading salsa music label of the 1960s, which described Salsa music as such because it was a blend of all of the different Latin music styles colliding in New York City. Salsa music, like the sauce, is a blend of multiple ingredients that are great on their own, and even better when brought together.
Styles of Salsa
Not only are there so many origin stories for salsa, there are also so many different types of salsa. That’s because it’s become a bit of an umbrella-term due to geographical variation.
Linear Styles: These styles feature the dancers always facing each other.
New York Style
Sometimes inaccurately referred to as Mambo, New York Style is identified through its “On 2” pattern. “On 2” means that the dancers move their legs forward and backward on the second beat.
Los Angeles Style
Contrary to most stereotypes about the differences between New York and LA, Los Angeles Salsa is characterized by its speed. It’s performed much faster than New York Salsa, and is danced “On 1.” LA Salsa also has more of a Swing infusion in its music and dance.
Puerto Rican Style
Puerto Rican style is similar to the New York style, but you can break On 1 or On 2 in this style. Puerto Rican salsa is thought to be the origin of “shines,” wherein you can have some solo time to show off your stuff.
Circular Styles: These styles feature the dance partners circling around each other.
Colombian Style Salsa (also known as Cumbia)
Originating in Cali, Colombia (the self-purported Salsa Capital of the World) Cumbia salsa is identified by a rigid upper body.
Cuban Style
Cuban salsa is identified by complex arm movements. Compared to other styles, the footwork is rather simple.
Miami Style (also known as Clasico Cubano or Casino)
Miami style is even more intricate than Cuba style, including what dance.us calls “cross body lead variations.”
Casino Rueda or Salsa Rueda
Originating in Havana, Casino Rueda is a group version of salsa where a person calls out to a group which moves to make. It originated in Havana, and the name Salsa Rueda directly translates to Salsa wheel.
Here’s some Spanish vocab you’ll need to
use when tackling your salsa dancing.
Claves - dowel-like instruments that are crucial for setting salsa’s rhythm
Izquierda - left (in salsa, this means “step left”)
Derecha - right (“step right”)
Lento - slow
Rápido - fast
Freno - brake or stop
Compás - the beat (of the music!)
Al costado - move sideways
Adelante - move forward
Patada - kick
Ready to Salsa on Your Own?
Here are a few basic steps for New York Style Salsa:
Feel the rhythm: Since New York style Salsa is counted “On 2,” you’re going to want to get a feel for the beat of the music. Count 1, 2, 3 - 5, 6, 7 -
Get into position: The Lead, will take the Follower’s right hand with their left and put their right hand on their back. The Follower places her left hand on the Lead’s shoulder.
Start Dancin’: Take a small step forward with your right foot on the first beat (1)
A bigger step: This part is called “Breaking Forward,” and in New York Style Salsa, you break forward by taking a large step with the left foot on the second beat (2). So, do that.
Keep going: Rock back on your right foot on three (3), and then hold for a beat (4).
Moving back now: Step back with your left foot on five (5).
Breaking Back: Break back (a big step) with your right foot on six (6).
Shift weight: Shift your weight onto your left foot on beat seven (7) and hold for a beat (8)
Repeat (See Step 3): Step your right foot forward again on one.
And that’s it! We will admit that reading about salsa is a lot easier than dancing salsa, so get up on your feet and try it out!
Practice the steps above with our
Salsa playlist on Spotify!
Did you see our Instagram Live Story in Collaboration
with TimeIn New York?
WATCH THE IG LIVE
See how to dance salsa and more
Here are some idiomatic expressions from some of the songs in the playlist and discussed during the workshop:
pasar el Niágara en bicicleta (Dominican Rep) - to overcome a difficult situation
estar muerto de la risa (Latinoamerica) - to crack up laughing/to laugh really hard.
(olividar las) penas - (to forget your) sorrows
buscarle la salida a algo (ven) - to find the solution to a problem.
pasársela (haciendo algo) - to be spend time doing something (usually something you enjoy).
Salsa is a beautiful dance that includes facets of so many different Latin American musical styles, and its variety is a key component of its popularity. What’s your favorite style of salsa dancing? Comment below and don’t forget to ‘heart’ this post and share with your friends. Ready to review what you’ve learned? Take our quick quiz!
Thumbnail Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
Spending the Holidays in Latin America? These are 5 Phrases You Need To Know.
A language and cultural guide to Latin America during the holiday season!
Felices Fiestas compadres! If you’re spending the holidays in Latin America, you might notice that we Latinos do things a little different. After learning these five phrases, you’ll be tossing back coquito and making sure you’re first in line to eat lechón. But be warned...you may find yourself a little more than tipsy on New Year’s Eve, eating exactly 12 grapes while swinging empty luggage around the block.
(Puerto Rican coquito)
If you find yourself in Puerto Rico in December, you may hear a lot of rumbling about a parranda. A parranda is a Puerto Rican music tradition and THE social event of the season. Expect a group of friends at your front steps playing loud live music until you let them in. Trumpets, guitars, the whole works. It’s a pachanga, baby! Once inside, the guests are greeted with treats like mofongo (mashed plantains), arroz con dulce (rice pudding), and coquito, whose coconut-sweet goodness puts American eggnog to shame. Warning: NEVER, I repeat, NEVER say whose recipe you liked better. Doing so is a slippery slope and you will become the social pariah of the holidays. Seriously, don’t mess with Puerto Ricans and their coquito.
Nochebuena
Nochebuena is the night of Christmas Eve. In a lot of Latin American cultures, this is a bigger feast than Christmas Day itself, and it features a big family dinner centered around lechón. Physically, lechón is a roasted pig, but emotionally it’s much much more than that. Cooking it takes sweat, dedication, and a whole lot of love. In Cuban tradition, lechón is cooked in a ‘Caja China’ (a large box) below hot coals. Alongside this good food is a night of drinking and dancing until you stumble your way over to Misa De Gallo (Midnight Mass) which concludes the Christmas celebrations.
Para pedir Posadas:
(A holiday-themed pinata fest)
In English, this literally translates to ‘asking for a place to stay.’ The translation may sound odd, but the tradition is rooted back in the biblical story of the Nativity. Celebrated in multiple Latin countries, Las Posadas begins on December 16th and ends on Christmas Eve. These nine days or ‘novena’ represent the nine-month pregnancy of Mary. What follows is this: two people dress up as Mary and Joseph and visit houses designated as “inns.” The community walks down the street, singing songs until one house finally lets them in. At the end of each night, everyone celebrates with Christmas carols, food, and piñatas for the kids.
¡Cantemos villancicos!
“Let’s sing carols!” ‘Villancicos’ are Christmas Carols, and the people who sing them are called ‘Cantantes de Villancicos.’ No matter which Latin American country you’re in, you’ll find yourself singing. Make sure to pack some herbal teas and keep that voice warm, because you’ll have a tiring but delightful evening. Here are some villancicos en español (that aren’t “Feliz Navidad”) to get you into the spirit.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo! / ¡Feliz Año!
(Año Nuevo in Cartagena)
Just like their other celebrations, Latinx people throw the best New Years parties, infused with some special traditions. Some are universal, like eating twelve grapes (each representing one month of the year) as a symbol of good luck. Others are a bit more unique. In Colombia, people walk around the block with an empty suitcase for hopes of traveling more in the New Year. In Chile, you must sweep the house from inside out to erase the past. For Cubans, throwing a bucket of water outside does the trick. All over Latin America, traditions run deep when ringing in the new year!
We hope you enjoy your holiday season, and if you find yourself in Latin America, don’t forget to take these phrases with you! Felices Fiestas!
Comment below and let us know your favorite tradition!
The Preservation of Video Games
Preserving media is an absolute necessity to understand the mentality and important issues in every generation…
Preserving media is an absolute necessity to understand the mentality and important issues in every generation. Whether it’s books or movies, each piece of media gives us a glimpse into the mind of the creators and their takes on society. This has now extended to one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the last few decades - video games.
The National Library of Spain or BNE is dedicated to gathering Spain’s history and preserving it for years to come. Originally created three centuries ago, the National Library was to preserve printed pieces of Spanish history and culture and it has been vigilant in adapting to the new artistic ways of Spanish culture. Ana Santos, along with Javier Garcia Fernandez, proposed the:
“regulation of conservation of video games, web sites, electoral propaganda posters, and bookmarks, among other formats based on the reform of the Law on Legal Deposit of 2011” and that “Video games will be of Cultural Interest (BIC) in the future, because they have a very important cultural value as an artistic creation.”
This new proposal would allow the institution to adapt and conserve Spanish artistic pieces that may not have been on printed material.
The Law of Legal Deposit in Spain was founded by Felipe V at the end of 1711 but the Library did not begin depositing pieces until 1712 and today houses almost half a million deposits.
Spanish director points out the need for reform of the law of 1985 to reflect the current reality of culture in Spain and has stressed the need for preserving Spain’s digital heritage as well as the printed.
Let us know what you think this might bring for the future of gaming, historically for the future gamer generations.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about The Preservation of Video Games! What effect do you think this might bring for the future of gaming? Join the conversation below!
The Spanish Search For Lost Ships
The archeologists have compiled a list of 681 Spanish ships lost…
The Spanish Search For Lost Ships
This week, archaeologists Carlos León and Beatriz Domingo and naval historian Genoveva Enríquez have combed Spain’s archives and compiled a list of 681 Spanish ships lost off the coasts of multiple Latin American countries as well as Atlantic coast of the United States since 1492.
León has stated that the objective of the project, which is sponsored by Spain’s Culture Ministry, is to help identify and protect shipwreck sites, especially those that have been lost from memory.
“The most famous ships have been investigated,” he said, “but there’s a huge number about which we know absolutely nothing.” The researchers found that more than 90 percent of the ships sank in severe weather, about four percent ran onto reefs or had navigational problems; one percent were sunk during naval engagements with the British, Dutch, or United States; and less than one percent were sunk during pirate attacks.
A group of Spanish academics working with the country's culture ministry to produce the study also found that in many cases the ships were carrying pearls, emeralds, and gold.
The majority of the shipwrecks, a total of 249, were identified off the coast of Cuba; 153 on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean along the US coast; 66 near Panama; and another 63 around Hispaniola, currently divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic with nearly 80% of the hulls remaining to be explored.
The Spanish culture ministry said that rather than recovering valuables that may be in the shipwrecks, which would be a time-consuming and costly operation, the current aim of the research is to protect the shipwrecks from sackings or possible incidental damage, with the cooperation of the relevant countries. Each entry has a list of the ship type, the name of its captain, its armament, the number of crew members and passengers, as well as the cargo.
In addition to gold and precious stones, which conjure up images of the most famous pirate legends, many of the ships were also laden with Ming ceramics, tobacco, sugar, vanilla and cocoa, as well as slaves, artillery, books, and alleged relics from Jerusalem.
Fewer than 25 percent of these wrecks have been found to date, León added. The documents also revealed the ships headed toward the New World carried things like religious objects and stones for building churches; tons of mercury to extract gold and silver from New World ores; clothing for slaves; and weapons for putting down local rebellions.
What do you think may have been created had these ships completed their route? Join the conversation below!
The Equalization of Spanish Paternity Leave
The Spanish government is planning to move forward with the equalization of paternity leave with maternity leave…
The Equalization of Spanish Paternity Leave
The Spanish government is planning to pass a number of measures related to equality that were rejected by Spanish congress as part of the 2019 budget. Among those measures is the equalization of paternity leave with maternity leave, which will include an increase from the current 5 weeks to 8 weeks this year for employees in both the public and private sectors.
The changes are included in draft legislation entitled “Royal Decree Law on urgent measures to guarantee equal treatment and opportunities between women and men in employment and occupation,” a 28-page document that the government has distributed for review, and while there may be some modifications, government sources have stated that the issue of paternity leave will most likely be approved.
Women currently have 6 weeks of compulsory leave in comparison to 5 weeks for men, which are voluntary, and the government’s new plan will see paternity leave rise to 8 weeks in 2019, to 12 weeks by 2020, and by 2021, both parents will enjoy equal, non-transferable and paid leave for 16 weeks.
There are a further 10 weeks of leave that either parent can take, but in practice this period is nearly always taken by women. The changes are similar to those agreed on by the Socialist Party (PSOE) government and left-wing party Unidos Podemos for inclusion in the 2019 budget. However, that plan was voted down after Prime Minister Sánchez lost the support of Catalan pro-independence parties. Sánchez has since called a general election for April 28, but is trying to pass legislation such as this change to paternity leave before potentially losing office.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about The Equalization of Spanish Paternity Leave! What are your thoughts on this new progressive measure? Join the conversation below!
Culinary Highlights of Caceres
Spain is famous for food. However, it is from the small, often overlooked, city of Caceres that some of the most famous dishes have emerged...
Culinary Highlights of Caceres
Spain is famous for food. However, it is from the small and often overlooked city of Caceres that some of the most famous dishes have emerged. From organic olive oils to the corks used in winemaking, the local food and beverage industry sees that everything is sourced locally. This is why it should come as no surprise that Caceres was named Spain's capital of gastronomy in 2015 as well as 1 of 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Extremadura.
According to one tourism official, Cáceres' population sits at 95,855 and contains about 250 restaurants serving dishes ranging from Spanish classics to uniquely modern dishes with a twist.
Here, the black Iberian pig, which plays an integral role in Spanish cuisine, thrives among meadows of flowers and herbs that lend a distinctive taste to the famous Spanish sheep and goat cheeses. One of the most famous Iberian pig dishes is Jamón Ibérico, an exquisite cured ham from black Iberian pigs. Although there are different types of Ibérico ham, also called pata negra, the finest, Jamón Ibérico Bellota Deshesa Extrmadura comes from pigs allowed to roam in a free range environment and feed on acorns.
In the realm of cheese, highlights include the slightly salty and tangy Ibores cheese made from unpasteurized goat’s milk - along with the creamy, Torta del Casar, made with unpasteurized sheep’s milk and a thistle rennet.
Perhaps one of the most unique food experiences comes from the church. Not only are local recipes handed down within the families, but some have been kept secret in the local monasteries and are recently beginning to be shared with the public - crafted by none other than the monestary's nuns.
To order these delicious treats, one must enter the convent’s open door leading to a small room. From there, a menu and price list are posted on the wall and a microphone can be used to order. Once you have placed your money on the tray of the revolving window, the window turns and your sweets and change come back to you at the next turn.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about the Culinary Highlights of Caceres! Planning on visiting the culinary masterpieces of Spain? Our team of native instructors offer culturally-infused classes that, not only ensure that you advance your fluency, but allow you to understand cultural insights to better help you enjoy all that Spain has to offer! Click below to enroll in a course.
Bridging The Spanish Generation Gap
Over the next 50 years, however Spain will have the largest elderly population next to Japan, and authorities are addressing a pressing issue that spans across the world: loneliness among senior citizens.
Bridging The Spanish Generation Gap
It is without questions that the Spanish are amongst the longest living people on the planet. As noted in our previous article, The World's Oldest Man, there are many factors that contribute to this, but it seems to be mostly influenced by diet and cultural standards. Over the next 50 years, Spain will have the largest elderly population next to Japan, according to figures from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Authorities, thankfully, are starting to address a pressing issue that spans across the world: loneliness among senior citizens.
Ourense, a Spanish province with more pensioners than Social Security contributors, is leading an effort where seniors and children are brought together at specially designed daycare centers. A new center has been completed on the outskirts of the city that will welcome 80 senior citizens and 82 preschoolers, who will have two separate areas but a large common room. Elderly residents will be able to see the children at all times and will have a common space to do activities and play games.
“It’s kind of a return to the traditional model in which grandparents and even great-grandparents once lived together with their descendants, leading to mutually enriching relationships,” says Noelia Pérez, of the mayor’s office. “There is no doubt that the elderly will get the most enjoyment out of it, although children will also benefit from the individualized attention,” said Perfecto Rodríguez, manager of the Galician Consortium for Equality and Wellbeing.
The benefits for the elderly include “a sense that they are leaving a legacy behind, making a contribution to the future” by helping with the education of younger generations. “And they improve their social relations, which is vital to longevity, as well as improving their physical condition as a result of the activity they are forced to do.”
As for the children, Sánchez said they will acquire “a much more positive outlook on old age.”
We hope you've enjoyed learning about how the Spanish government is Bridging The Spanish Generation Gap. Do you think this will help solve the problem of loneliness among senior citizens? Let us know below!
Banning the Bullfight
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child have raised concerns about the impact bullfighting could have on children at events and as pupils in bullfighting schools and has urged Spain to ban children from attending bullfights and enrolling in bullfighting schools.
Banning the Bullfight
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child have raised concerns about the impact bullfighting could have on children at events as well as pupils in bullfighting schools and has urged Spain to ban children from attending bullfights and enrolling in bullfighting schools. The committee itself observed that “In order to prevent the harmful effects of bullfighting on children, the committee recommends that the state party prohibit the participation of children under 18 years of age as bullfighters and as spectators in bullfighting events.”
According to "Frommer's Travel Guide," bullfighting in Spain traces its origins to 711 A.D., with the first official bullfight (corrida de toros) being held in honor of the coronation of King Alfonso VIII. Once part of the Roman Empire, Spain owes its bullfighting tradition in part to gladiator games. Although, bullfighting was done originally on horseback among the upper classes, King Felipe V ended the trend stating that he believed it was in poor taste for nobles to practice such a bloody sport.
Currently, the oldest bullring in Spain is located in the southern town of Ronda, but cities like Madrid, Seville and Pamplona also have a rich bullfighting legacy and some of the largest rings in the world.
The Spanish delegation told the committee it would consider the recommendations. The regional government of Catalonia once banned bullfighting, but the ban was overturned in 2016 by Spain’s constitutional court, stating that the practice was “one more expression of a cultural nature that forms part of the common cultural heritage.”
We hope you've enjoyed learning about possible Spanish Banning of the Bullfight! What are your thoughts on this cultural institution being banned? Leave a comment below!
The World’s Oldest Man
Amazingly, Olivera started to read again at 98 after an operation to cure his cataracts and took daily walks alone in his village until he was 107...
The World’s Oldest Man
The Spanish village of Bienvenida in Badajoz, Spain has declared a day of mourning following the death of Francisco Nunez Olivera who was not just a retired farmer, but the world’s oldest man.
“It’s a very cold day and most of all a very sad day,” village mayor Antonio Carmona stated of Francisco Nunez Olivera who died late last month at the astounding age of 113. He is survived by four children, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Photo: Gerontology.Wikia.com
Born on December 13, 1904, Olivera’s long life has been credited mainly to the vegetable based diet that was sourced from his own land accompanied by a daily glass of red wine. In fact, Spain currently has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, also attributed to the country’s Mediterranean diet. Throughout his life, he fought in the Rif War in the first half of the 1920s between Spain and the Berber tribes of the Rif mountains in Morocco and survived General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship (1936 - 1975) and was one of 32 people over the age of 90 among the nearly 2,200 inhabitants of the village, according to the newspaper, El Mundo.
Photo: Lacronicabadajoz.com
Amazingly, Olivera started to read again at 98 after an operation to cure his cataracts and took daily walks alone in his village until he was 107.
Proving Nunez Olivera’s exact age has been complicated by the fact that most of Bienvenida’s archives were destroyed during Spain’s civil war that took place from 1936 until 1939.
As a testament to the concept that age is only a number, In an April 2015 interview with Spanish daily El Mundo, Francisco said in a 2015 interview with El Mundo that he would like to live a couple more years despite the fact all his friends were dead and insisted: 'I know I'm old but I don't feel old.'
We hope you've enjoyed learning about The World’s Oldest Man! Ever dreamt of experiencing everything that Nunez Olivera has in the beautiful country of Spain? Our culturally immersive classes and native instructors are here to help!
A Rose For Love And A Book Forever
Valentine's Day in Spain, or "El día del amor y la amistad" - the day of love and friendship - is celebrated much like in many other countries around the world. Restaurants are often booked up weeks in advance, cards and flowers are exchanged, and many a marriage proposal is made.
A Rose For Love And A Book Forever
Valentine's Day in Spain, or "El día del amor y la amistad" - the day of love and friendship - is celebrated much like in many other countries around the world. Restaurants are often booked up weeks in advance, cards and flowers are exchanged, and many a marriage proposal is made.
In Barcelona, citizens have two days when lovers can exchange gifts. La Dia de Sant Jordi (St George's Day) is Catalonia's national day and is celebrated on April 23rd. Spanish men honor St. George's romantic gesture of saving a princess from the clutches of an evil dragon by heroically buying their loved ones a book. It is also said that this tradition more than likely is derived from the fact that William Shakespeare died on this day in 1616. The holiday is also known as El Dia de la Rosa (The Day of the Rose) or El Dia del Libre (The Day of the Book), inspired by the Catalan saying “A rose for love and a book forever.”
Valencia has a day dedicated to celebrating romance as well called The Day of San Dionisio on October 9th where the traditional gift is fruit-shaped marzipan wrapped in a handkerchief, usually bought by men for their wives and mothers. The day is also marked by many festivities including costumed parades held in the main plaza of every town and village.
While much of the country is entranced by the copious amount of love in the air, there are those immune to the season’s charm and believe that the holiday was invented to boost consumerism. Some Spaniards refer to Valentine’s Day as the Día de El Corte Inglés (Day of Corte Inglés), their main department store. So romantic.
How might you celebrate El Dia del Libre if you were in Spain? Perhaps with A Rose for Love and a Book Forever? While we can't transport you to Spain, we'd love to celebrate with you in NYC with a FREE event! Click below to gain access.
The ABCs of Traditional Latin Dance
With the growing trend of dance-based workout programs in NYC, including the phenomenon of Zumba, it is impossible to ignore the impact of traditional Latin dance in our current culture.
The ABCs of Traditional Latin Dance
With the growing trend of dance based workout programs in NYC, including the phenomenon of Zumba, it is impossible to ignore the impact of traditional Latin dance in our current culture.
Many are familiar with terms such as:
Cha - Cha - Cha
Flamenco
Salsa
and the not-so-traditional
Macarena
Below are a few lesser known dances that any traditional Latin dance enthusiast should know.
Aragonaise
Aragonaise which literally means a person or thing from the Spanish region, Aragon, is a "dance of Aragon". Traditionally the musical accompaniment includes guitars, castanets, and hand clapping. The two most famous compositions bearing the name are found in the operas Le Cid and Carmen by Jules Massenet and Georges Bizet respectively.
Bolero
Bolero takes a slower tempo than the Aragonaise with roots stemming both from Spain and Cuba and spreading eventually throughout Latin America all the way to Vietnam.
The original Spanish Bolero is danced in a 3/4 time. (1-2-3 / 1-2-3) that was created in Spain in the late 18th century. Elements of both contradanza and sevillana were borrowed in it's creation before it's swift export to Cuba. In the Cuban iteration, the time signature was changed to 2/4 (think Mirliton) and became "the most popular lyric tradition in Latin America."
Corrido
Corrido finds it's roots in the music of Spain, and became immensely popular in Castilla and León in 19th and early 20th century.
This form has an irregular rhythm and consists of two parts, the first being of oscillatory and lateral movement in fast pace, and the second is similar to the jota (which time wise is very similar to Aragonaise). Below is a short tutorial outlining the steps involved.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the ever evolving, yet timelessly classic, ABCs of Traditional Latin Dance.
For more Spanish language and culture, join JP Linguistics to be ready to take the "next step" as a fluent Spanish speaker.