IT'S USUAL TO THINK THAT IN SPAIN EVERY FOOD IS A "TAPA". IN MOST OF THE SPANISH LOCALS THERE IS A SIGN SAYING "TAPAS". BUT "TAPA" IS A MEASURE OF THE FOOD SOMEBODY CAN EAT. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS PAELLA, ALBÓNDIGAS, ROAST BEEF, OR HAGGIS. IN SPAIN "TAPA" IS A CULTURE OF MOVING FROM ONE BAR TO ANOTHER WHILE YOU ARE HAVING LUNCH. A MIX BETWEEN GOOD FOOD AND GOOD WEATHER.
It is obvius that the good weather helps to go outside for a walk. Human being likes the sun, when the heat is not excessive. In the countries of Southern Europe usually there are locals where people can buy food from a window of a bar and continue walking while having a conversation with friends. The lunch is an important moment to meet friends.
The same way, the pleasure of eating is bigger when somebody can change the courses he or she eats and tastes a few (or a lot) of them. So, mixing conversation, good weather and the posibility of eating different courses is how "tapa" became famous. Its weather, of course, gave Spain the chance to offer this kind of meal.
The origin of the name "tapa" comes from the past, when the conditions of the locals were not as nowadays. Then, having a drink, it was not unusual that a little insect could come into a glass of wine or beer. To avoid this, the waiter usually gave you, like a cover of the glass, a piece of ham, cheese or something like that to protect the liquid from strangers. Obviously, when the glass was empty, the piece of food was eaten. That's the origin of the word "tapa", that means cover. And that's the reason why "tapa" is a small measure of food.
Going walking from one bar to another, drinking something with a "tapa" is what "tapear" means. Something good for everybody, with the sun and a good company. It is good to enjoy life.
