Seleccions

Seleccions

Seleccions

Spain tourism
Home›Spain tourism›Paella, “icon of the Mediterranean diet”, enjoys protected status | Spain

Paella, “icon of the Mediterranean diet”, enjoys protected status | Spain

By James K. Martin
November 10, 2021
0
0
Share:

One of the best known, most loved and most often abused Spanish dishes has been given protected cultural status on the grounds that a good Paella celebrates “the art of unity and sharing”.

On Wednesday, the government of Valencia – the region where paella originated – declared the dish to be an item of cultural significance, touting its history and virtues in an eight-page ad published in the Official Gazette.

“Paella is an icon of the Mediterranean diet, both for its ingredients and its characteristics as a representation of Valencian culture,” the statement read.

“All the ingredients used in its preparation – such as fish, meat, vegetables, rightly famous and healthy olive oil and the whole grain that is rice – are part of the Mediterranean diet.”

The fragrant blend of proteins, vegetables and carbohydrates, he added, “makes paella one of the most balanced dishes in gastronomy”.

The regional government said the new statute would help promote study and research on the dish and would “ensure the survival of this cultural element and ensure its transmission to future generations.”

Despite its sacred status in Valencian cuisine, paella has often been the victim of controversial twists – and even mechanization. Five years ago, Jamie Oliver terrified many on the peninsula by suggesting that chorizo ​​deserved a place in the dish, while earlier this year a Spanish industrial engineer unveiled a robotic paella machine. .

The statement, noting that paella should be protected from “distortions that could result from mass tourism“, also included a series of dos and don’ts.

Heat sources are important: although orangewood is abundant in Valencia “and gives the dish a special character and aroma”, the main thing is to make sure that your fire is not too smoky, or, if you cook on an indoor stove, check that the hob distributes heat evenly, he says.

Perhaps the most important rule of all is never to stir the rice while it is cooking. Any spatula foray will release too much starch from the rice and leave you with a sticky paella.

The government stressed that the dish is “the symbol of a Sunday family lunch … and represents a sense of identity and continuity that we must protect, maintain and transmit.”

She admits, however, that times have changed when it comes to cutlery: “Tradition has it that a paella is eaten with a spoon (in the past they were made of wood and individual), even if it is true today that this custom has fallen. and each guest can choose for himself.

He also recalled how the dish developed over several centuries after the Arabs brought rice to Spain and the saffron trade began to flourish.

“The first reference to paella – or ‘Valencian rice’ – is in an 18th century recipe manuscript, which explains how it should be prepared and notes that the rice should eventually dry out.”

Related posts:

  1. ! Murcia Today – Tourism bosses warn of sharp drop in bookings from Spanish foreign tourists as Covid rates soar
  2. Spain struggles to contain COVID-19 as contagion rate rises
  3. Teeth clenched, Spanish tourism rides the “Covid roller coaster”
  4. More tourists heading to the Balearics
Previous Article

GGRAsia – Nomura cuts GEN Singapore 2021 ...

Next Article

Global Beach Towels Market Growth (Impact of ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Spain tourism

    3.1% increase in deal activity in the travel and tourism sector in the first half of 2022

    July 9, 2022
    By James K. Martin
  • Spain tourism

    The world economy fears the fall | Economy and business

    June 19, 2022
    By James K. Martin
  • Spain tourism

    UPDATE – Spanish tourist missing while trekking in Qatar turns out to be detained in Iran – NGO

    October 26, 2022
    By James K. Martin
  • Spain tourism

    EU fund for the diversification of tourism in the north of Mallorca

    September 4, 2021
    By James K. Martin
  • Spain tourism

    US tourist throws scooter down Rome’s Spanish Steps causing €25,000 damage | Italy

    June 8, 2022
    By James K. Martin
  • Spain tourism

    Spain commits to rebuilding an island hit by a volcano | Gloucester lawyer

    October 3, 2021
    By James K. Martin

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Spain resorts

    Want to travel | Peripheral markets

  • Spain business

    Automotive Testing, Inspection and Certification Market | Industry Overview 2022-2028

  • Spain beach

    9 best European cities to visit in September