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Tapas ((:ˈtapas)) are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as ''chopitos'', which are battered, fried baby squid). In select bars in Spain, tapas have evolved into an entire, sophisticated cuisine. In Spain, patrons of tapas can order many different tapas and combine them to make a full meal. In some Central American countries, such snacks are known as ''bocas''. In Mexico, the vegetarian varieties of similar dishes are called "botanas." The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation, because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them. Also, in some countries it is customary for diners to stand and move about while eating tapas. == History == The word "tapas" is derived from the Spanish verb ''tapar'', "to cover," cognate to English ''top''. Before the 19th century, European roads were in bad condition. Some were originally old Roman roads (''viae romanae''), some were trails dating from the Middle Ages. Travelling was slow and exhausting. Most people could not read or write, and Spain was no exception. Inns, called ''posadas'', ''albergues'' or ''bodegas,'' grew up along the roads, offering meals and rooms, plus fresh horses for travellers. Since few innkeepers could write and few travellers read, inns offered their guests a sample of the dishes available, on a "tapa" (the word for pot cover in Spanish). In fact, a "tapa" was (and still is) a small portion of any kind of Spanish cuisine. According to ''The Joy of Cooking'', the original tapas were the slices of bread or meat which sherry drinkers in Andalusian taverns used to cover their glasses between sips. This was a practical measure meant to prevent fruit flies from hovering over the sweet sherry (see below for more explanations). The meat used to cover the sherry was normally ham or chorizo, which are both very salty and activate thirst. Because of this, bartenders and restaurant owners created a variety of snacks to serve with sherry, thus increasing their alcohol sales.〔Casas, P. (1985). Introduction. In Tapas, the little dishes of Spain (xv) (). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.〕 The tapas eventually became as important as the sherry. Tapas have evolved through Spanish history by incorporating new ingredients and influences. Most of the Iberian Peninsula was invaded by the Romans, who introduced the olive and irrigation methods. The discovery of the New World brought the introduction of tomatoes, sweet and chili peppers, maize (corn) and potatoes. These were readily accepted and easily grown in Spain's microclimates. There are many tapas competitions throughout Spain. There is only one National Tapas competition,〔(National Tapas competition )〕 which is celebrated every year in November. Since 2008, the City of Valladolid and the International School of Culinary Arts〔(International School of Culinary Arts )〕 have celebrated the International Tapas Competition for Culinary Schools.〔(International Tapas Competition for Culinary Schools )〕 Various schools from around the world come to Spain annually to compete for the best tapa concept. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「tapas」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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