What are typical Spanish habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Spain?

What are the customs in Spain regarding food?

Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start.
Many people love Spanish food, especially tapas. Spaniards eat as many as four times in a day.
Breakfast (el desayuno) is usually toasted bread with an espresso in a café. The most important meal of the day is lunch (la comida), which is taken extensively between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon. It is a hot meal, for example Paella. The third meal is the snack (la merienda) which is eaten when we Dutch think of dinner, namely between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. The fourth and last meal is dinner (la cena), which starts at 10:00 p.m. and is a bit lighter than lunch. Tipping is common in Spain, and is usually just included in the price.

There are many regional specialties in Spain. For example, a lot of fish is eaten in the Canary Islands and gazpacho (cold soup) in Andalusia. A lot of spices are used. The most famous dish from Spain is paella, which is usually made with fish or chicken. Tapas are Spanish appetizers. Tortilla de Patatas, these are tortillas made from potatoes and egg.
Typical food is tapas! It is shared with drinks. Tapas are small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
A dessert that Spaniards love is flan, a soft custard made of eggs topped with a caramel sauce.
Typical Catalan dishes are rabbit with vineyard snails and Catalan sausage (butifarra) with white beans.
Paella: A rice dish with chicken and fish, peppers and various seafood

A truly Spanish drink is sangría.This is a mix of red wine, sugar, cognac and various (fresh) fruits.If the fruits such as orange segments, grapes and melon have sat in the mix a little longer, the flavor has also soaked into the fruits.
Spain is also known for its local wines, good wines are the Rioja and the Navarra.
Cava is the most famous sparkling wine from Catalonia made in exactly the same way as Champagne.
Want something to drink without alcohol?Then ask for Mosto (white grape juice).
It is not recommended to drink tap water. You can just get bottled water in the supermarket.

Las Fallas - In Valencia from March 15 to 19. Large statues are made by locals, usually of papier-mâché. During this festival there are large parades, paella competitions, fireworks and lots of churros eaten. On the last day, the statues are set on fire.
Semana Santa - Or Holy Week takes place a week before Easter. In Andalusia this is celebrated in a big way, furthermore processions are held in many cities.The death of Jesus and atonement take center stage here.
Sanfermines - From July 6 to 14, international running of the bulls in Pamplona. There are also fireworks, music and parades every morning.
Fería de Abril - This is one of the highlights of Seville's cultural calendar and is held in late April/early May. This festival is a combination of music (flamenco!), a market and a fair.
La tomatina (the tomato festival) - This festival is held annually in the village of Buñol, near Valencia. The tomato field battle attracts some 40,000 participants and is a spectacular event to witness. (Watching is also possible, but put on old clothes).
Belief in Spain: Eat a grape, every hour the clock makes a sound on new year's eve. Twelve times and it will bring you prosperity.

Siesta-Nap and relax time (shops are generally closed) when the sun is shining between 2.30 and 4.30 PM.
Tapas-Shared with drinks and in company, small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start.
Flamenco-Dance from Andalusia, with costumes and music with a soul.
Silvester evening: they will eat 12 grapes when the clock counts at midnight. When the clock ticks every count, one grape. It brings properity. Inside information: do not chew on the grape, otherwise your mouth will be full with residu.
With Silvester: your underwear is the colour red, the next year will be lucky! When you are serious about this, burn your red underwear at midnight. And put money in your shoes, before midnight.
Would you like to travel in the new year, make sure you walk around your suitcase. Chances are higher to make beautiful trips!
In the New Year: "Feliz ano" is wished with a glass of cava (the Spanish champagne).
Kisses (two) are common as a greeting, also when you don't know each other well.
Manana, manana means tomorrow, in general do not stress out and take it easy. Do not worry the Spanish are not so strict with their punctuality, being late is common.
Cursing and talking loud is part of the culture. Often you can just follow conversations on the street.

Access:

Public

Check related region !