Spanish cuisine a signal of piety. The arrival of Europeans in America, in 1492, initiated the advent of new culinary elements, such as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, bell peppers, spicy peppers, paprika, vanilla and cocoa or chocolate. Spain is where chocolate was first mixed with sugar to remove its natural bitterness. Other ingredients traveled to the Americas, such as rice, grapes, olives and many types of cereals. Many traditional Spanish dishes such as tortilla de patata (an omelette made with potatoes), would not be possible without the discovery of America. Gazpacho, salmorejo, and pan tumaca are made with tomatoes, which traveled from America
Spanish omelette Other ingredients such as green or red peppers, chorizo or other sausage, tuna, shrimp or different vegetables, may also be included as well, although the result is not strictly a tortilla de patatas/papas. The Spanish government nutrition web site specifies extra virgin olive oil and includes onion, but some recipes simply state vegetable oil. The tortilla may be eaten hot or cold; it is commonly served as a "tapa" or picnic dish throughout Spain. As a tapa, it may be cut into bite-size pieces and served on cocktail sticks; a large tortilla can be cut into triangular portions ("pincho de