The Spanish cuisine originates from different cultures and climates. The Romans set the Spanish cooking base of wheat, olives and grapes. The Arabs added almonds, oranges, rice and saffron. The New World has contributed with chocolate, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. Food in general is not spicy, though the use of garlic throughout Spain is common. The peppers used are generally sweet rather than hot. The Spanish don't eat a lot of pasta or noodles; instead they eat rice, potatoes, beans and bread. The cuisine is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters around the country. The main meats in Spain are lamb and pork, beef is still considered somewhat of a luxury.
Few dishes can be considered common to all or almost all of Spain. Examples include most importantly tortilla (potato omelet), paella, various stews, migas, sausages, jamón serrano, and cheeses, especially the Manchego cheese.
The eating habits in Spain differ from most other countries. Breakfast is generally very simple - a cup of coffee and a roll or toast. Many then grab a midmorning snack at around 11:30 or 12:00. Lunch is typically a large 3-course meal and for many the day's main meal. It starts at 13:30 or 14:00 and runs until 16:00, sometimes later. Dinner is often taken at a very late hour, especially during the summer. Most restaurants don't open until 20:30 or 21:00 and stay open until 24:00 or later.
Tapas are probably the concept of Spanish cuisine most admired and imitated around the world. Tapas are eaten throughout the day, and in some areas, especially in Andalucia, you cannot order a drink without getting a tapa as a compliment of the house. A visit to a tapas bar is probably the best way to sample a wide variety of Spanish food. Tapas are usually displayed on or in the bar and it are easy to point at what you want and a tab is being run until you have finished. Tapas can be something as simple as a piece of toasted bread, rubbed with garlic and dipped in olive oil, or a dish of olives. Slices of ham or sausages, cheese, pieces of Spanish tortilla and marinated anchovies are popular. Tapas like meatballs in tomato sauce, stew, garlic mushrooms, shrimp or cooked chorzo (sausage) in wine are also common.
