Exploring the Spanish cuisine during your practical training in Spain
Spanish cuisine: A culinary exploration of Spain’s flavors
The Spanish cuisine is a combination of bold flavors, simple ingredients, and rich culinary traditions. From the big cities to the serene villages, Spain offers a diverse range of dishes that represent the country’s culture, climate, and history. Spanish food is all about enjoying fresh, high-quality ingredients, prepared in ways that enhance their natural flavors. Whether you’re doing your practical training on the Spanish mainland, Mallorca, Ibiza or the Canary Islands, Spain’s iconic dishes are sure to delight and inspire your taste buds.
The heart of Spanish cooking: Fresh ingredients and simple techniques
At its core, Spanish cuisine relies on a few essential ingredients that are used across the country: olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of fresh herbs. Olive oil, in particular, is a key element in almost every Spanish dish and serves as a base for cooking, dressing salads, and dipping bread.
In Spain, meals are often prepared with care and pride, whether it’s a simple lunchtime sandwich or a complex dish like paella. Spanish chefs focus on preserving the integrity of ingredients, using minimal seasoning to allow the natural flavors to shine through. This simplicity is key to the appeal of Spanish food. During your practical training in Spain, you will have the chance to experience the taste firsthand.
Iconic dishes of Spain: A must-try culinary experience during your practical training in Spain
Paella
No blog post about Spanish cuisine would be complete without mentioning paella, one of the most famous dishes in the world. Originating in the region of Valencia, paella is a rice dish that’s typically cooked with saffron, vegetables, and a variety of proteins. While seafood paella is perhaps the most well-known, it can also be made with chicken, rabbit, and even a mix of meats. The secret to a perfect paella lies in the rice, which should be tender yet slightly crispy at the bottom – a texture known as socarrat.
At most Spanish restaurants, paella is often served in the traditional wide, shallow pan it’s cooked in, making it a visually striking dish that invites sharing. Depending on the restaurant, it might be brought to the table in individual portions or as a large serving to be shared among a group. The rich aroma of saffron and grilled meats or seafood fills the air, enhancing the dining experience.
Although paella is often considered a festive dish, it’s enjoyed by people of all ages in Spain, especially during family gatherings and celebrations. So be sure to try paella during your practical training in Spain, it’s a culinary experience not to be missed.
Tortilla Española (Spanish omelet)
Another classic Spanish dish is the tortilla Española, also known as Spanish omelette. This dish is made with eggs, potatoes, and onions – often with a generous splash of olive oil. It can be served hot or cold and is a common choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether served as a tapa (small appetizer) or as a full meal, tortilla Española represents comfort food in Spain. Some variations include the addition of chorizo, peppers, or other ingredients, but the classic version remains a favorite across the country. While doing your practical training in Spain, you’ll likely find tortilla Española on the menu at various restaurants and discover how it varies depending on regional preferences.
Tapas: A social culinary tradition
Tapas are small portions of food, often served alongside drinks, that embody the social spirit of Spanish dining. Tapas can range from simple snacks like olives, cheese, and cured meats to more elaborate dishes such as albóndigas (meatballs), gambas al ajillo (shrimps in garlic oil), and patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce).
The beauty of tapas is in the variety. It’s a dining experience that encourages sharing and trying a little bit of everything. Whether you’re enjoying them at a local bar or served in a traditional restaurant, tapas offer a great introduction to the flavors of Spain. It’s also an ideal way to enjoy a relaxed, casual meal with friends or colleagues—something that is common during evenings in Spain. We are sure that during your practical training in Spain, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy tapas with fellow interns and colleagues.
Jamón Ibérico
You can’t visit Spain without tasting jamón ibérico, the prized cured ham made from black Iberian pigs. This delicacy is typically served thinly sliced and is often eaten as a tapa or appetizer. The flavor of jamón ibérico is rich and complex, with variations depending on how long the ham has been cured. The finest variety, jamón ibérico de bellota, comes from pigs that are fed a diet of acorns, which imparts a rich, nutty flavor to the ham.
It’s not uncommon to see a leg of jamón ibérico displayed in restaurants, supermarkets, and homes, where it is hand-carved. It’s a cultural symbol of Spain and a true delight for food lovers.
Churros con chocolate
For those with a sweet tooth, churros con chocolate is a beloved Spanish treat, often enjoyed at breakfast or as an afternoon snack. Churros are long, deep-fried pastry sticks, dusted with sugar, and served with a warm, thick chocolate sauce for dipping. The indulgence of churros paired with rich, velvety chocolate is the perfect way to start your day or enjoy a mid-afternoon treat. It’s common to enjoy churros with coffee or hot chocolate, and it’s a must-try during your practical training in Spain or during a language course in Málaga.
Gazpacho
As Spain’s summers can get quite hot, gazpacho is a refreshing and cooling dish that is particularly popular in southern Spain. This cold tomato-based soup is made with raw vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers, onions, and garlic, all blended together with olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings. The result is a smooth, chilled soup that’s perfect for cooling off during the warmer months. It’s not just a meal; it’s a Spanish tradition that brings the freshness of local produce to the table.
Drinks that complete the Spanish experience
No meal in Spain is complete without a drink to accompany it. Here are some iconic Spanish beverages you should know about before you do your practical training in Spain:
Café
In Spain, coffee is an essential part of daily life, and it’s served in a variety of ways. When ordering a café, you’ll typically get an espresso. If you want a milder version, you can ask for a café con leche (espresso with milk) or a café cortado (a short espresso with a splash of milk). Another favorite is the café solo (single espresso), which is the most common choice for coffee lovers. Spanish coffee is often enjoyed alongside a sweet treat or a small pastry, particularly in the morning or afternoon.
Sangria and Tinto de verano
For a refreshing and fruity drink, sangria is a popular choice, particularly during the summer months. This wine-based cocktail is made with red wine, fruit juices, soda water, fruit, and sometimes a splash of brandy. It’s served chilled and is ideal for relaxing on a warm evening.
While sangria has become a beloved drink worldwide, it holds a special place in Spanish culture, often associated with festive gatherings and family celebrations. The drink’s origins can be traced back to Spain, where it was traditionally made with local wines and fresh, seasonal fruits like oranges, lemons, and berries. Over time, it evolved into the colorful and flavorful beverage that we know today, with various regional variations depending on the area of Spain.
In Spanish restaurants, sangria is often served in large pitchers, making it perfect for sharing among friends and colleagues as part of your practical training in Spain.
Another beloved summer drink is tinto de verano, a simpler version of sangria, made with red wine and lemon soda or lemonade. It’s less sweet than sangria, making it a perfect option for those who prefer a lighter, more refreshing beverage.
Prices during your practical training in Spain
The prices in supermarkets are comparable to the prices in Germany. For UK residents it depends on the exchange rate of the British Pound. You can often get fresh fruit and vegetables cheaper. Prices in restaurants, as well as drinks in restaurants and bars can thankfully be bought much cheaper compared to Germany and the UK.
The Canary Islands are located in a special zone of the EU, they have VAT from only 7%, which means shopping is worth the money. Tobacco products, alcoholic drinks, perfumes and cosmetic products, entertainment electronics as well as all kinds of leather products like handbags, shoes, accessories and jackets are all popular products.
The Spanish chains Zara and Mango, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Pull&Bear etc. – all of them have relatively low prices. Coming across “Rebajas” (discounts) are possible throughout the year, but special sales begin in January and after the high season, which is roughly around August.
Furthermore, you will regularly come across with the abbreviation C.C. which stands for “Centro Comerciales” – Spanish Shopping centres, within which you’ll find plenty of shops and afterwards you can go to the bars and clubs to enjoy the evening.
More about hotel internships in Spain
S-W-E-P in a german newspaper
The German Newspaper “Süddeutsche Zeitung” asked the founder of our recruitment agency Spanish Work Exchange Programme, Ms Conny Lassen, for an interview about hotel internships Canary Islands.
In the German article she explains what is special about Tenerife, her motivation to organize hotel practical trainings in Spain and what our company requires from the applicants. She also gives an insight of the biggest challenges our interns have to deal with during their work experiences abroad.
You would like to read more? Here is the link to the article:
