This is one of my favorite experiences in our trip to Spain. What is Sevilla best known for? Por supuesto, it’s tapas & flamenco! Elena of Devour Seville tours educated us about the Sevillan way of life. Breakfast is at 9; lunch is at 3; dinner is at 9.
I learned the difference between jamon iberico and jamon serrano. So that’s why iberico de bellota is the most expensive you can find. It is made of pata negra (black legs with black hooves) which are fatter, and therefore juicier. It pairs very well with dry, pale sherry called manzanilla. The jamon comes in different colored labels: green, black, gold. Ask me so I can tell you the difference. With all due respect to Italian prosciutto, I think the Spanish jamon iberico de bellota is better.
I also learned that there are 3 components to the flamenco: the guitar, the singer, and the dancer. It’s not a real flamenco unless these three are present. The guttural voice of the singer is usually a lament over the hardships experienced by the gypsies. We were mesmerised by the music of the guitar, the raspy voices of the singers, and the almost hypnotic, passionate dance of flamenco. And did you know that nothing is choreographed unless it’s a sevillana, or dance of a man & woman? Every movement, snap, or clap is spontaneous based on what they feel. That’s why the dance is packed full of emotions.
