Nobody really knows for sure where tapas originally came from, but there’s a popular story that stars King Alfonso XIII.
It is told that, during one of his trips, the king stopped at a roadside inn and ordered a glass of wine. The window was open, and dust from the road kept blowing in. To protect the drink, the waiter cleverly covered the glass with a slice of ham. The king was a bit puzzled and asked why there was ham on top of his wine. The innkeeper explained that it was to “cover” the drink and keep it clean. Alfonso liked the idea so much that everyone in his entourage asked for the same thing. And that’s how, according to the story, tapas were born.
There’s another version of the story featuring Alfonso X, also known as “El Sabio”, the Wise. They say that while recovering from an illness, he used to drink wine along with small bites of food. It helped him feel better, so he ordered that all taverns should serve something to eat with wine—just to avoid the effects of drinking on an empty stomach. Smart move!
What we do know for sure is that tapas started with classics like ham, then expanded to include slices of chorizo, cheese, and plenty more delicious options. Over time, tapas became a signature part of Spanish cuisine—not just here, but all over the world. People everywhere have fallen in love with the idea of enjoying a drink with a little something to nibble on.
And if one day a waiter places a small plate over your glass with food on it, now you’ll know, it’s a nod to the legend behind this tasty tradition.
