Tapas were invented in Spain.
The word tapa means lid or covering.
One theory behind the origination of tapas is
that in Andalusian wine making regions,
a saucer was customarily placed over a glass
to keep the little fruit flies from swarming in the
local bars.
A small amount of food placed on the dish
helped attract clients to the wine bar, so the
cook would make better ones each time.
Tapas have developed over the years into a
vast range of snacks or light meals, from a
simple bowl of olives to a mini gourmet meal
usually accompanied by a glass of wine or beer.
