The Art of Sharing: Why Spanish Meals Are All About Togetherness

The traditional Spanish meal isnt just about the food. It comes with the culture, people, and the laughter and stories that people share. Food can bring people closer together; this is why, during meals, its common in Spain to share.

In many countries, people are often in a rush to eat, so they frequently take their meals to go and eat them while walking on the street, or alone in their office or at home. Meanwhile, in Spain, people still eat together daily and enjoy every meal while socialising.

In this article, well dive into the art of sharing food as a part of the culture and practices in Spain.

Sobremesa: Upon the Table

Every meal matters, and this practice has been a part of Spanish culture for centuries. For them, a meal is a type of affair that shouldnt be hurried. So, they often stretch every meal for hours. For instance, every Sunday, each household has its way of spending lunch through dinner with extended family or close friends.

In addition, people also spend hours celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, and reunions while enjoying various dishes. Theres a term called sobremesa, which means upon the table, but others translate it as dessert. It signifies the bond of people sharing meals and the emotional connections they make while relaxing and enjoying each others company. After all, the natural sharing of thoughts and stories happens while and after eating.

Tapas: Small Plates, Fruitful Conversations

One of the most popular ways to represent the sharing culture of Spain is through tapas. Theyre small plates of various dishes that are passed around the table so that people can sample every available tapas in Spanish restaurants and bars.

Some of the most common tapas that are offered include Jamon Croquetas, Patatas Bravas, Tortilla dae Patatas, and Gambas al Ajillo.

Aside from the small plates of food, tapas is also known as an experience people share while having drinks before dinner or after work. Conversations can start when people are sampling the tapas, and give comments about which one is the best for them. And as the conversation moves forward, it can go deeper.

La Comida: The Long Lunch

La Comida (midday meal) is one of the most important meals of the day, and it usually lasts for at least two hours. It can be from 1 PM to 3 PM or 2 PM to 4 PM. The idea is to take a break, relax, and enjoy some time with others. After the main lunchtime, you can have coffee afterwards. However, the long lunch isnt something you plan or force, but it just happens. Oftentimes, people get immersed in the topics being discussed at the table, and people need to nibble on something.

As mentioned, lunch during weekends can be longer when families spend time together. So, if youre looking for Paella, the most popular dish in Spain, many families often have it during weekends for lunch.

Merienda Time: Snack in the Afternoon

After lunch or siesta, theres also the merienda, where people have coffee and eat pastries. Although its a small snack, people usually spend this time eating more since the next meal time is around 9 PM. And before that, they usually drink. Although they also eat tapas while drinking, merienda is still important to wind down from what they ate at lunch, and if they feel a bit hungry after the siesta.

Meanwhile, if theyre at home, they sometimes pick soup or omelette for the merienda dishes. You can also try other Spanish dishes.

In Spain, Eating Is All About the Experience

The art of sharing Spanish dishes isnt just about the meals, but an experience that everyone gets to enjoy. Whether its your first time dining in a Spanish restaurant or visiting Spain, its guaranteed that youll enjoy it, especially if you appreciate the stories and experiences shared by everyone dining at the same table.

At the same time, there are small things happening during every meal. For instance, people get to help themselves while eating or getting the dishes they like. And since the concept of sharing is applied, theres the constant interaction among people since they tend to pass around dishes, so that everyone can taste.

Experience Spanish Togetherness at Your Table

Even when youre not in Spain, you can still apply the concept of sharing at home or while dining at Spanish restaurants. At home, you can invite your friends for a get-together and host a tapas night. Although youll need to cook a lot of dishes, some tapas dont require too much effort to make, especially those that are just marinated or grilled.

Final Thoughts

The Spanish dining experience is based on the art of sharing. It allows people to bond and enjoy communal celebrations through food. So, if youre not in Spain, but would like to experience how it is to eat slowly and laugh, you should share your food generously.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aliana Baraquio is a web content writer who also loves cooking dishes from different countries. If you want to experience a Barcelona-style restaurant that serves high-quality food, and a modern, contemporary, fresh feel from the south of Europe, visit TAST Catala Spanish Restaurant.