More about tapas

Following yesterday's post, the question has been asked as to how tapas originated. The Spanish themselves don't seem to be sure. What is certain is that the verb tapar means to cover, and traditionally tapas were served on a small plate which would be put on top of the glass containing your drink. This may have originated purely as a hygiene thing - to keep out the flies or sand, or there is a story that some Spanish king way back issued a decree that alcohol could only be served to those eating a meal, and tapas were invented as a way of circumventing that. Whatever, it's a glorious custom and although in the more touristy parts of Spain it's become a bit commercialised, there are (or certainly were a few years back) still small bars in out of the way places where you automatically get a pincho of something or other free with your drink.