Exploring Spanish cuisine as an international student was a discovery for me in terms of health, self-care, beauty and social life. What is the key to all Spanish dishes? Olive oil.
Spaniards cook everything with olive oil. Therefore, olive oil is found almost in every dish, either for cooking, frying or drizzling.
Which are the benefits of cooking with olive oil?
1. Reducing inflammation: Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Inflamation is consider the main cause of aging and oxidative stress. Chronic inflammation is linked to conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
When you reduce inflammation, you will get the following benefits for your body:
-Gaining stronger immune system (which means preventing you to acquire multiple diseases and making your body stronger to potentially battle to any disease).
-Improving digestion health and preventing you to get diseases like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
2. Improving skin elasticity:
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which combat the effects of UV damage, protects cell damage, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and combats skin sagginess.
3. Loosing weight:
Olive oil promotes satiety. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are digested more slowly, helping you feel full for longer and potentially reducing overall calorie intake.
Is olive oil expensive? Spain is the largest producer of olive oil worldwide. So price will be lower than in other countries. You can pay around 8€ per liter in Spain. However, the price tends to keep on increasing. There are different qualities of olive oil. You should always go for “extra virgin olive oil”.
Tapas are a variety of small
Spanish dishes, often served as appetizers or snacks, designed to be enjoyed with drinks and shared among friends. They are an integral part of Spanish culture, with a focus on social interaction through sharing food. Tapas represent the Spanish tradition of socializing over food, often referred to as “ir de tapas” (going for tapas). This involves visiting different bars and sampling their signature dishes with a drink.
Tapas culture encompasses small plates of finger food meant for sharing, encouraging a social dining experience. It especially pairs well with Spanish wines, Sherry and Cerveza, commonly known as beer. A remarkable bonus stands out with restaurants offering a free plate of tapas upon every purchase of an alcoholic beverage.
Which are typical Spanish dishes?
Paella, is a saffron infused short rice dish originating from Valencia, most popularly made with seafood, chicken, or rabbit.
Gazpacho: In the scorching Spanish summer sun, the Gazpacho saves the day; It is a chilled tomato- based soup originating from Andalusia, (South of Spain).
Tortilla de patata: tick omelet with round edges, made with potatoes, eggs and onions.
Jamón ibérico: The most cure ham on-brand Spanish delicacy. It is often enjoyed with golden-crusted bread and cheeses. These dishes transcend regional boundaries, stay iconic and celebrated all over the country, putting them high up on the must-try list.
Churros: They from a simple dough that consists of flour, water, salt. They are eaten for breakfast and dipped into chocolate or sugar.
Tostada de tomate y jamón: This is bread with tomato, iberic ham and olive oil. Typical Spanish breakfast that goes with orange juice or coffee.
Croquetas: This is one of the most popular and traditional Spanish tapas dishes. It consists of a crispy outer coating, typically made from breadcrumbs, and a creamy, flavorful filling that is often based on béchamel sauce.
Rabo de toro (ox-tail): You just should try this. Delicious!
Festivals and food:
Spain celebrates its food through numerous notable festivals that highlight some local specialties. The famous La Tomatina festival that takes place in Bunol is a playful tomato fight during peak season in honor of the fruit. The Semana Santa (holy week) festival presents the people with a time to savor traditional sweets like Torrijas (similar to French toast). The festival of La Noche de San Juan encourages indulgence in traditional foods like sardines, Cocas (cake), and Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) to celebrate the summer and beginning of the harvest Season.
Which are the best super-markets to buy groceries in Spain?
The most popular supermarket chains in Spain are the following ones:
–Mercadona
–Carrefour
–Lidl
–Aldi
–Spar
–Día
In all of them you can buy fresh groceries, fish and meat. My favorite supermarket is Mercadona, where you find quality fresh food at an affordable price and also, ordering online.
How much do you spend on groceries in Spain?
My expenses for grocery shopping pertaining costs in the city of Cordoba estimated up to 25-30€ per week, as I resorted to cooking 80% of my daily meals.
You need to “go for tapas” to understand Spanish culture of socializing:
In my experience, the food in Spain is not just about eating, but a social event, a way to interact, gather with friends and meet new people.
Spain is the country with the highest number of restaurants per inhabitant. Meeting friends or relatives and having breakfast, lunch, snacks, tapas or dinner outside is in Spanish blood.
Spain is the paradise to socialize over food. Spaniards enjoy having long “sobremesas”. Thisis a common Spanish expression that refers to the tradition of spending a long time sitting at the table after a meal, usually to continue talking, enjoying each other’s company, and drinking coffee or digestives. The concept of the «sobremesa« itself is deeply rooted in Spanish culture, emphasizing relaxation, conversation, and bonding after eating.
Food lovers and social butterflies will find their place in Spain. Enjoy your meal! Or how it is said in Spanish language, ¡Qué aproveche!
Author: Anushka Verma (Former international student in Córdoba, Spain).
