Welcome to the Culinary Capital!
Barcelona has always and continues to have a strong culinary reputation. In fact, Barcelona is claimed as "Spain's Culinary Capital." What strikes 21st century visitors such as ourselves to Barcelona is no doubt what struck those in the Middle Ages – the nearly incredible dynamism and exuberance that has characterized this Mediterranean capital since its earliest history. Blessed with a delightful climate and population celebrated for intelligence and progressive ideas, linked through trade and cultural exchanges with France, Italy, and nearly the entire eastern Mediterranean, Barcelona is a renowned city of great art and architecture, as well as great food. Throughout Spanish history, those native to Barcelona have been known for a unique combination of industry, culture, and the arts – especially culinary arts. While the roots of Barcelona’s signature dishes are credited to notable Spanish chefs such as Ferran Adria, in recent years, the revolutionary cuisine that has brought the world to Spain’s restaurant tables has found a happy home in Barcelona. The inspiration of these Spanish chefs came in part from the everyday Catalan cuisine. Barcelona’s flavors are bold and dishes are hearty, embracing a variety of influences from the New World to the Eastern Mediterranean. Barcelona’s cooks entertain strong, fresh flavors as garlic, onions, olive oil, and tomatoes are among the favorite ingredients. Furthermore, sauces are essential to the rich Catalan dishes, each matched with seafood, meat, roasted vegetables or rice dishes. Similar to most Spanish cities, a rich Barcelona dish would not be complete without a glass of white wine, especially cava. Today in the lively cafes, bars, restaurants, markets, and homes of Barcelona, all that has been forgotten as a revived Catalan cuisine springs to vibrant life here in its capital. Enjoy a taste of the inside scoop on Catalan cuisine during a fabulous walking food tour in Barcelona!
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Samples of Catalan Cuisine dishes
Tastes of Barcelona Food Markets
Paella ~ one of Spain's most famous dishes
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Works Cited:
"Barcelona: Culinary Capital | Worlds of Flavor Spain." Barcelona: Culinary Capital | Worlds of Flavor Spain. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
"Common Food & Drink in Barcelona." Travel Tips. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
"Barcelona: Culinary Capital | Worlds of Flavor Spain." Barcelona: Culinary Capital | Worlds of Flavor Spain. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
"Common Food & Drink in Barcelona." Travel Tips. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.