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Spain holds one of the richest culinary cultures in the world. Spanish cuisine is unique in that it holds plenty of European crossover and style combined with the flavors of the Mediterranean– but it also holds Middle Eastern influence in its architecture and food thanks to the centuries spent under Moorish control. The food of Spain is as richly diverse as its history.
A Typical Day in Spain
To understand the food culture of Spain, you must first understand how their food schedules differ from those in the United States.
The Most Important Meal of the Day: Lunch
Forget quickly packed brown bag lunches. Lunch is a huge ordeal in Spain, and many people return home to have a large lunch with their family before returning to work. Dinner may be the most important meal in the U.S., but lunch reigns supreme in Spain; a typical Spanish lunch could have as many as four courses. No one rushes a meal: eating is an act to be savored and treasured.
Light Breakfasts
Breakfast, on the other hand, is lighter than the heavy egg-and-bacon breakfasts of the United States. A typical Spanish breakfast could include coffee, croissants, bread, or fruit. Many Spaniards will also have a late-morning snack to tide them over until lunch.
Dinner
Spanish citizens eat their dinners much later than the 5:00 or 6:00 suppers common to America. Alcohol is a welcome addition to every dinner. Between dinner and lunch, Spaniards often enjoy tapas, which are small, easy-to-eat bites.
