Looking for the meaning of petiscos? While you may see the word tapas on menus in Portugal, don’t be deceived – they’re most likely serving petiscos. If you’d like to dive deeper into the meaning of petiscos, join our Porto Food Tours, where we’ll explore the concept while savoring a few along the way. But what’s the difference, and why do the Portuguese care which word you use? Great question! Let us briefly explain.
Petiscos Are Not Tapas
The word tapas comes from the Spanish verb tapar, meaning “to cover,” or the noun tapa, meaning “cover.” Legend has it that to keep dirt and insects out of their drinks, the Spanish would cover, or tapar, their drinks with a piece of bread. But if you have a piece of bread, why not toss on some ham and cheese and make it a snack?
Tapas have evolved far beyond these humble origins and now feature a variety of flavors and combinations. At their core, however, tapas often consist of a bite-sized piece of bread topped with something delicious. They have conquered the world, appearing in trendy wine bars from New York to Rio and London to Cape Town.
The Meaning of Petiscos
Now that we know what tapas are, let’s explain petiscos. Petiscos are generally small versions of larger dishes. The genius of this model is that it allows you to order and taste more dishes by opting for smaller portions than you would with full-sized plates. How brilliant is that? We even have a word for it: petiscar, which means eating and savoring these small-sized dishes, ideally with friends, just like tapas.
Both tapas and petiscos have roots in the Iberian Peninsula (the region that now comprises Spain and Portugal). Spanish tapas, now internationally famous, enjoy worldwide popularity and are commonly found in trendy bars serving Spanish wines.
As for petiscos, they are a beloved part of Portuguese gastronomy, traditionally found in tascas – taverns or cafés. Recently, we’ve seen a surge of trendy bars and restaurants, known as petisqueiras, serving them alongside Portuguese wines. Unlike tapas, petiscos remain relatively unknown outside Portugal… but not for long!
Pssst, check out this blog post if you’d like to discover our favorite Portuguese petiscos and dive deeper into this delicious world.
With love,
Taste Porto Foodie Team
