The Flavours of Western Europe

Mainland Europe is an intoxicating place to visit, wherever your figurative pin lands on the map. There are phenomenal sights and cultural mainstays in every square mile, stretching from the Atlantic to the Adriatic and beyond; these are reason enough to tour the continent, but there are other ways to chart a course. For example, you might follow your taste buds. For the culinarily curious, here’s a refresher on the flavour profiles of Western Europe.

Italy

Italy is a cradle of culture in Europe, with influence extending across the West and shaping our practices – culinary or otherwise – indelibly. There are scant few on the planet that have not encountered, let alone heard of, the phenomenon that is pizza; this is a glib statement, but one which illustrates the sheer impact of Italy’s past on our present.

There’s so much more to Italy than pizza, though (incidentally, you will find the best pizzas you’ve ever eaten in your life in Naples). For instance, risotto – and its street snack food cousin, arancini – is a creamy delight that demands to be eaten from the kitchen of a small family-run restaurant in Sicily. Italy’s wine culture is similarly large, with myriad Italy trips taking place simply to savour the fermented fruits of Tuscany straight from the cask. 

France

France is another European centre for vinicultural excellence, and indeed the epicentre of traditional winemaking practice. Visit the northerly reaches of Rhone to taste the best Syrah wines you’ll ever taste, or venture north to Reims for true Champagne.

In terms of food, France is also the seat of nouveau cuisine – and the nation we have to thank for the brasserie-style restaurants that define English city centres. Outside of these haute-cuisine factories, you’ll find incredible food with heart, from Marseille’s seafood delights (Bouillabaisse; moules mariniere) to Languedoc’s hearty agricultural dinners (cassoulet) and far beyond.

Belgium

A touch north of France, we come to Belgium – a place which has put itself on the global map for unassailable confectionary excellence. We have Belgium to thank for a great many staples, from chocolates to pastries. The humble Belgian waffle is a delectation so much greater than the sum of its parts. On the savoury front, Belgium delivers its own national ‘frites’, served in a cone with mayo. This is all without even acknowledging Belgium’s indispensable contributions to beer, whether rare (and under-threat) Trappist tripels or wild-fermented lambics.

Spain

Last but certainly not least on the list, Spain is a firebrand nation with phenomenal national dishes to boot. Paella showcases the best of Spain’s coastal culinary culture, while the heartlands provide hearty paprika-spiked chicken and cream stews. Spain’s charcuterie is unmatched and is its wine – especially its Rioja! Spain’s biggest cultural influence on the UK is arguably through tapas, or the arrangement of small plates that display a wide range of flavours – patatas bravas, garlic prawns, padron peppers, and so so much more besides.

Photo credit: pizza, moules, paella, champagne