Spanish cuisine is synonymous with flavor, tradition, and shared moments. And if there’s one thing that represents that essence in its purest form, it’s cold tapas. At Gastronomic Spain, an online store specializing in Spanish products, you can find a wide variety of cold tapas ready to enjoy at home, wherever you are in Europe. Here, we present a complete guide to the cold tapas from Gastronomic Spain. Are you going to miss it?
In this guide, we introduce the most outstanding cold tapas, their characteristics, how to serve them, their approximate price, and useful tips to enjoy them to the fullest.
Aged Manchego Cheese
Characteristics:
Aged Manchego cheese is made from raw Manchega sheep’s milk, aged between 6 and 8 months. It has a firm texture, intense flavor, and a slight spicy touch on the palate. This Manchego cheese is made at Finca la Prudencia in Tembleque (Toledo). In our online store, you’ll find the wedge format of 250g vacuum-packed.
- How to serve it:
Cut it into thin wedges and serve at room temperature. You can accompany it with quince, rustic bread, or nuts. - Price:
From €11.09 for a 250g portion (Date 2025) - Pairing suggestion:
Perfect with a red Tempranillo wine or a glass of vermouth.
Octopus in Olive Oil
Characteristics:
The octopus in olive oil is cooked and seasoned with paprika, salt, and olive oil. A 100% natural product with no artificial preservatives. It is recommended to store it in a cool, dry place.
- How to serve it:
Warm it slightly if you prefer it warm or serve it cold as a tapa. Add a little sweet or spicy paprika to taste. - Price:
From €6.99 per 111g can (drained weight) (Price in 2025) - Ideal for:
Quick appetizers, seafood dinners, or a varied tapas platter.
Anchovies in Vinegar
Characteristics:
Anchovy fillets marinated in vinegar, garlic, and parsley. Their texture is soft, and their flavor is refreshing.
Before this, the anchovies undergo the following process:
The anchovy fillets are cleaned and acquire that brown color, which contrasts with the silver highlights on the outer skin.
They are immersed in a tray (made of glass) with water and salt for 3 hours.
They are then submerged for another 6 hours, this time with vinegar. After this, the fillets turn white due to the vinegar.
After 6 hours, the liquid is drained, and the fillets are garnished with chopped garlic, olive oil, and parsley.
- How to serve them:
Serve them cold, drained, and with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add olives or fried potatoes for a crunchy contrast. - Price:
From €4.62 for 70g (Price in 2025) - Storage advice:
Keep refrigerated between 0 and 4ºC. Consume within a few days after opening.
Mussels in Escabeche
Characteristics:
Large mussels preserved in a mild escabeche (oil, vinegar, spices). Ideal for an uncomplicated tapa. They are juicy, tender, and have that characteristic acidic and spicy touch of escabeche. They come in a format with 6 to 8 large pieces, perfect to enjoy on their own, as a tapa, or paired with a good vermouth. A true delicacy ready to open and enjoy at any time.
- How to serve them:
Serve them cold directly from the can or with toasted bread. - Price:
From €3.41 per 115g can (Price in 2025) - Pairing:
Highly recommended with craft beer or Albariño white wine.
Spanish Potato Omelette (with or without onion)
Characteristics:
The authentic Spanish potato omelette is one of the most popular tapas. At Gastronomic Spain, you can find it both with and without onion, depending on your preference. Its juicy texture inside and golden crispy layer outside make it irresistible. This is the best-selling product in our store, which is why we wanted to include it in this Complete Guide to the Cold Tapas
Its ingredients are as follows:
Fried potatoes (55.6%) (potato and sunflower oil)
Pasteurized liquid egg
Sunflower oil, salt, powdered egg, stabilizers (E-407, E-410, E-415, and E-408), modified starches, maltodextrin, olive oil, and acidulant (E-330)
- How to serve it:
Cut into triangles or small portions and serve at room temperature. Ideal with rustic bread or fresh salads. - Price:
From €5.24 per 500g serving (without onion) (Price in 2025)
From €5.11 per 500g serving (with onion) (Price in 2025) - Pairing suggestion:
Cold beer or fruity white wine. It also goes great with a good vermouth.
Cantabrian Anchovies
Characteristics:
Anchovies in olive oil of the highest quality, caught and made artisanal in the Cantabrian Sea in this Complete Guide to the Cold Tapas.
In addition to being a highly demanded and exquisite appetizer, they also provide great benefits:
Strengthen muscle growth, making them highly recommended for athletes.
Reinforce bones due to their high calcium content.
Combat wrinkles as anchovies are rich in vitamins A and D with antioxidant properties.
Recommended during pregnancy: their high omega-3 content prevents premature births and promotes proper brain development.
Reduce stress: the minerals (iodine, calcium, and magnesium) reduce stress levels and provide energy.
- How to serve them:
On bread with tomato or on their own. Add a touch of lemon to enhance their flavor. - Price:
From €6.19 per 150g can (depending on size and brand) (Price in 2025) - Gourmet suggestion:
Pair them with fresh cheese or butter for a more sophisticated tapa.
General Tips for a Complete Guide to the Cold Tapas
- Ideal temperature: Most cold tapas should be served slightly chilled, not ice-cold. Take them out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving.
- Storage: Always check the product instructions. Some canned goods can be stored at room temperature when unopened, while others require constant refrigeration.
- Combine flavors: Mix seafood, meat, and cheese tapas to create a complete and varied platter.
- Presentation: Use small plates, ceramic bowls, or slate boards for a more traditional and attractive presentation.
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