the country has a vast landscape, with terrains ranging from lush green pastures to high mountain ranges, and lots of farmland, as well as a long coastline that runs along the country - this very physical landscape provides ample ingredients for various fresh dishes, with fresh fruits and vegetables grown throughout the country, as well as a large number of vineyards and olive groves.

spanish cuisine was flooded with new ingredients after columbus landed in america in 1492 - many other spanish explorers ventured west and brought new ingredients such as tomatoes, cacao, potatoes, peppers and beans.

with them, they created some of their most popular dishes, including the spanish potato omelette, known as tortilla española, churros, and hot chocolate.

pork is also a centuries-old ingredient used frequently, dating back to the christian conquest of spain after hundreds of years of muslim rule - it was believed that to eat pork affirmed your faith in christianity, as it is a forbidden food in both the jewish and muslim religions.