The origin of "The Tapitas"

The 'tapas' is that little bit that put us in Madrid for free accompanying consumption, but also is the diet or the spike that we ask, and pay, to make more bearable the hours between meals. Although there are other cities in Spain that also offer the 'tapa', is in Madrid, probably, where it has reached a major tourist attraction-gourmet.

There are several versions about the origin of the 'tapa'. It might come from the reign of Alfonso XIII, the Wise in the thirteenth century, and that due to illness of the Castilian king that forced him to drink wine, and to mitigate its effects, taking small portions of cold meat, cheese or a handful olive. He did so well that he ordered that all taverns in the kingdom will accompany the wine with this little snack. To meet this real provision was placed, covering the glass, a piece of bread and a slice of this sausage or cheese. It seems a little early date for such a modern bite.

Today, the fame of the tapas in Madrid is indisputable and is part of a tourist attraction. A tradition that allows any bar you're getting a 'tapa' or 'snack', the most common free olives, chips, slices of sausage or cheese, mussels,  anchovies in vinegar, or small  croquettes , etc. Although sometimes you can take pleasant surprises in some establishments that make these 'tapas' free beautifully and with amazing imagination.