A Hidden Gem
Andalusia,
SPAIN
By Nathalie Bremer Schipper
To be more exact, I’m talking about the South of Spain, a region named Andalusia, and even more specifically, the province of Cadiz, which is also the name of the main capital city of this ‘Costa de la Luz,’ which translates to The Coast of Light.
Because the sunlight in this specific area is so bright and clear, it reflects like a bright, shimmering diamond on the clear blue ocean and the beautiful white sandy beaches. This part of Spain is located next to the Atlantic Ocean and a small part of the Mediterranean Sea.
No wonder that the main dishes that are eaten in this area are made with products from the sea, like octopus, shrimp, all sorts of fish, a variety of shellfish, and most importantly, tuna!
In the small fishing town of Barbate, the fishermen are experts in hunting and catching Atun Roja, the Bluefin Tuna. This fish species is caught with the ‘La Almadraba’ method, an ancient and sustainable fishing method using a fixed maze of nets.
The Bluefin Tuna is worldwide known as a delicacy due to its high fat percentage and rich flavor. This particular tuna is so special that at least 40% of this tuna meat is exclusively sold to Japan every year!
The tuna from this area can be found in almost every restaurant in the province of Cadiz in a variety of dishes, raw, cooked, grilled, and even dried, my personal favorite with cheese! Sounds weird, but the taste is beyond fantastic!
Most Andalusian dishes are light and refreshing due to the heat in the summer and can also contain fish, meat, olive oil, and vegetables. Gazpacho, for example, is a cold soup made of fresh tomatoes, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and bread. The ultimate refresher on a hot summer's day!
And we should not forget the wide variety of tapas that are available at every bar or restaurant. There are over 100 sorts of tapas, and every bar or restaurant has its own secret recipes.
Besides all the food, Andalucia is also well known for its excellent wines and Sherrys that are produced in the well-known city of Jerez.
Life in Spain revolves around food and drinks because these are inextricably linked to togetherness and ‘Joie de Vivre’. It is deeply rooted in the Spanish culture that people value sharing experiences and spending time with family and friends more than owning material status symbols.
No wonder that the people of Andalucia are so relaxed, welcoming, and super friendly!