National Spanish Paella Day

Deepthi Reddy
Dec 22, 2023 By Deepthi Reddy
Originally Published on Feb 10, 2022
Fact-checked by Shruti Thapa
National Spanish Paella Day is celebrated and looked forward to by food lovers around the world.

Where is National Spanish Paella Day celebrated?

Though popular around the world, National Spanish Paella Day is typically celebrated in the United States of America.

Who is National Spanish Paella Day celebrated by?

 National Spanish Paella Day is celebrated by people in the United States who love this delicious dish.

When did National Spanish Paella Day first start?

There is no information on when National Spanish Paella Day first started.

Who started National Spanish Paella Day?

Knowledge regarding who started the day honoring Spanish paella is unknown.

History And Timeline

Similar to the rich taste of the delicious paella, the history and origin are also rich. Hailing from Valencia, this dish went from being a 'peasant' dish to a national symbol representing Spain and Spanish cuisine.

The paella went through different changes and gained popularity across the world in recent years. Let's look into some interesting events and milestones of paella as a dish.

Modern Form Of Paella Originates

Although the correct date of Paella's origination is not known, it's generally assumed that the modern form of the dish came to be in the mid-1800s.

Mid 1800s

Term Paella Given To The dish

In a newspaper of the year 1840, the rice dish was referred to for the first time as 'paella.'

1840

Paella Became The National Symbol

Dictator General Francisco Franco picked paella to be one of the symbols for Spain.

1900s

World Record For Largest Paella

Chef Juan Galbis, with 80 chefs, made a paella so big that it was enough for 110,000 people.

October 2001

Paella Company

Paella Company was founded. The company sells paella pans and caters to small paella parties.

2004

Traditions And Customs

There are no set traditions that are followed on this day. Many people celebrate this day by making paella.

It's tradition to eat paella directly from the pan it's cooked in, making it a social food. Paellas are made using whatever ingredients available, including vegetables, chicken stock, chicken thighs, bay leaf, white beans, etc., and that makes it a versatile dish.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate National Spanish Paella Day

Learn how to make paella. There are many different recipes using various ingredients to choose from. Try different recipes like mixed paella seafood paellas, or invent new ones that fit your taste on this day.

You can also host a paella party, call some friends and loved ones, and enjoy the taste of paella together to celebrate this day.

Facts And Stats

  • What makes the National Spanish Paella Day special is not just that it started with being a peasant dish. The specialty lies with the fact that people from all around the world celebrate the day.
  • Though different types of paellas exist, the paella from Valencia is considered the original one. Often people make this paella on National Spanish Paella Day to honor its history.
  • Initially celebrated in the US, National Spanish Paella Day is looked forward to by people worldwide and is celebrated along with family, making it a social celebration.

Why is paella the national dish of Spain?

Paella used to be a dish made by farmers and workers in Spain during lunch. Later, a Spanish dictator picked paella to symbolize Spain, eventually leading to the dish being regarded as the national dish.

What time of day is paella eaten in Spain?

Paella is considered to be appropriate for lunchtime as it is thought to be a too heavy a meal for dinner.

What are some benefits of celebrating National Spanish Paella Day?

Paella can be a social dish that could strengthen bonds. So bond over this dish on National Spanish Paella Day and celebrate this dish made with white rice.

What are the limitations in celebrating National Spanish Paella Day?

It might be confusing as to which recipe to use when making the versatile paella dish, as there are many different types of paellas and, thus, many recipes for it.

What are some events similar to National Spanish Paella Day?

A similar event is National Strawberry Ice Cream Day, National Cream Puff Day, Swiss Cheese Day, and National Spaghetti Day.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Thursday, March 26, 2020
  • Friday, March 26, 2021
  • Saturday, March 26, 2022
  • Sunday, March 26, 2023
  • Tuesday, March 26, 2024

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Written by Deepthi Reddy

Master of Business Administration

Deepthi Reddy picture

Deepthi ReddyMaster of Business Administration

With an MBA under her belt, Deepthi has discovered her true calling in content writing. Her writing repertoire is diverse, covering travel, movies, pet care, parenting, animals and birds, and more. Her joy of learning and creating has helped her craft well-written and engaging articles. When she isn't writing, Deepthi enjoys exploring new cultures, trying different foods, and spending quality time with her two children aged 7 and 12.

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Fact-checked by Shruti Thapa

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English

Shruti Thapa picture

Shruti ThapaBachelor of Arts specializing in English

With a passion for American, British, and children's literature, Shruti is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at Garden City University, Bengaluru. Her fluency in Nepali, Hindi, and Mandarin demonstrates her linguistic abilities and global perspective. In addition to her literary pursuits, she has a keen interest in non-fiction literature, aesthetics, early childhood education, and Egyptian history. Shruti's research paper 'Bringing Art Illustrations In Education And Pop Culture' showcases her proficiency in these areas and her dedication to academic excellence.

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