Spanish tapas and Greek meze are two cuisines that offer a variety of small plate dishes. Tapas originated in southern Spain in the 19th century as a snack to accompany drinks, while meze is a small plate dish shared among friends and family in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tapas consists of a mix of hot and cold appetizers, mainly seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes, while meze dishes are predominantly vegetarian, with an emphasis on herbs, olives, and cheese. Tapas is served on small plates, while meze is traditionally served on a large platter with small bowls or plates for each dish. Both cuisines offer a delicious variety of small plates, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Spanish Tapas vs. Greek Meze: Small Plates Showdown

Introduction

When it comes to small plates of delicious food, two cuisines immediately come to mind – Spanish tapas and Greek meze. Both tapas and meze are a great way to enjoy a variety of dishes at once, but they differ in many ways. In this article, we compare and contrast Spanish tapas and Greek meze to help you decide which one to try next.

Origins

Tapas are small plates of food served in Spanish bars and restaurants. The concept of tapas originated in southern Spain in the 19th century, where they were served as a snack to help patrons wash down their drinks. The word “tapas” actually means “cover” in Spanish, as the small plate of food acted as a cover for the drink to prevent flies and insects from getting into it.

Meze, on the other hand, are small plates of food served in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine. The word “meze” comes from the Persian word “mazze” which means “snack” or “taste”. Meze dishes are traditionally served with ouzo or another aperitif and are meant to be shared among friends and family.

Selection of Dishes

Both tapas and meze offer a variety of dishes to choose from, but their selection differs. Tapas dishes are usually a mix of hot and cold appetizers, ranging from seafood to meat to vegetarian dishes. Some popular tapas dishes include patatas bravas, tortilla de patatas, and gambas al ajillo.

Meze dishes, on the other hand, are predominantly vegetarian, with a heavy emphasis on herbs, olives, and cheese. Some popular meze dishes include tzatziki, hummus, and dolmades. However, there are also meat and seafood options available, such as grilled octopus and lamb chops.

Presentation

The presentation of tapas and meze dishes also differs. Tapas dishes are usually served on small plates, making them easy to share and enjoy with a group. Meze dishes, on the other hand, are traditionally served on a large platter, with small bowls or plates for each dish.

Serving Style

Tapas can be ordered individually or in sets, and are usually served as soon as they are prepared. Meze dishes, on the other hand, are traditionally served all at once, allowing diners to pick and choose which dishes they would like to try.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Spanish tapas and Greek meze offer a variety of small plates of delicious food, but they differ in terms of their origins, selection of dishes, presentation, and serving style. Choosing between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference, but why not try both and decide for yourself which one you prefer?