Grilled, marinated peppers

Tapas, Antipasti and Meze – flavorful small dishes

Tapas means “lid” in Spanish and originated in Andalusian bodegas, where a slice of bread or air-dried ham was used to stop flies from falling into the wine glass. Today, tapas is a strong Spanish food tradition of small, flavorful dishes served in smaller portions that together make up a varied meal.

A beloved child has many names. The tradition of putting together small dishes—and the simplicity with which they’re prepared and presented—can be found throughout the Mediterranean. While tapas is the Spanish term for delicate small dishes, the Italian kitchen calls the equivalent antipasti, while a third term, meze, is used in the Middle East. Fittingly, this word comes from the Persian “mazzeh”: to taste. Whatever the name, tapas, antipasti, and meze are all tasty bites and little delicacies that even the pickiest palates will find hard to do without.

The similarities between Spanish tapas, Italian antipasti, and Middle Eastern meze are far more important than the differences. At the heart of these ethnically inspired dishes are shared ingredients like ham, cheese, sausages and bread, olive oil, and vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and garlic.

Tapas is a meal made for sharing

Tapas is perfect for sharing and creates a cozy, relaxed atmosphere at any get-together. A delicious selection of small, flavorful dishes to share is a social way to meet and eat together. The menu can include everything from cheese and charcuterie to fish and seafood, vegetables, bread, and much more—making it easy to find something for every taste.

The varied flavor palette, along with the different colors and textures, makes tapas an exciting culinary experience, introducing you to many flavor combinations. Tapas is full of umami and depth—and above all, lots of flavor. Even a simple tapas menu can impress your guests and is always a safe winner, whether it’s for a party, dinner, or a cozy evening at home. Tapas is food made to be shared with the people you care about.