Understanding-the-Background-of-Paella Have you ever wondered about the true origin of that delicious dish of rice with various ingredients that makes your mouth water every time you hear its name? Here, we’ll tell you a bit about the history of “PAELLA.”
Place of Origin
From the Eastern coast of Spain, in a location called Albufera in Valencia, towards the 15th and 16th centuries, peasants and shepherds attribute the origin of this recipe. It was easy to prepare with the ingredients they had at hand in the countryside, and they could bring it to their workplace in the most straightforward and convenient way.
Origin of the Name
There are different hypotheses regarding the origins of the word ‘paella.’ We’ll list them, and you can tell us which one you prefer!
Derived from Latin, specifically the word ‘patella,’ which means frying pan. From the Arabic word ‘baquiyah,’ as rice is a cereal that was brought to Spain by the Moors (inhabitants of North Africa) in the 8th century. The romantic version tells that a man cooked paella to win the affection of his girlfriend. The name supposedly derived from the Spanish phrase “por ella” or “para ella,” meaning “for her.” Ingredients And what were the ingredients used in its preparation? In its early days, it was composed simply of rice, flour, and almond milk. Over time, the recipe was enriched by adding other ingredients available to peasants, such as poultry, rabbit, hare, duck, chicken, and even snails. All mixed with the vegetables they cultivated, rice, saffron, and olive oil. Of course, everything was cooked slowly over a wood fire, specifically using orange wood. According to El Español, an independent digital newspaper from the dish’s homeland, saffron was added to enhance the dish’s flavor and aroma.
There’s also a variation called “Paella marinera,” originating in coastal areas. By incorporating seafood and fish, a delightful combination of flavors emerges.
Popularity
By the 19th century, this dish gained popularity and became a favorite for both celebrations and conflict resolution. It spread from Valencia to all of Spain. In 1885, the first variations to the original recipe began to appear. By the end of the century, there were so many alternative ways to prepare this dish that it was dubbed the “great gastronomic circus.” Even the most well-known version of this typical dish is the mixed paella, a variation that Valencians do not like, as they consider authentic Valencian paella should not mix seafood with meat. There’s no single recipe that unifies the myriad possibilities of this dish.
Now you know a little more about this flavorful recipe! Remember, you learned it from KAIROS EXPERIENCE through the expertise of #ChefYesrael.