Polvorones: the king of Christmas sweets
Christmas has arrived at the Tablao de Carmen. Lights, gatherings and gifts fill homes, and it could not be otherwise in this house that is our tablao. On December 13, the first of the most flamenco and Andalusian gatherings of the season took place: the zambombas, which add to the two daily performances held each afternoon on our stage. The celebrations began with the party of the school of bailaor Costi el Chato, followed on Sunday the 14th at midday by the zambomba of the Niubó Dansa school, led by bailaora Isabel Ruiz de Villa. On Saturday, December 20, the festivities continued with Escuela La Tani. Every December, these events fill the tablao with joy and Christmas spirit, ensuring that several villancicos are already sung by the time Christmas Eve arrives.
Joining Christmas traditions has always been part of the spirit here, and one essential element could not be missing during these weeks: polvorones, the quintessential Spanish Christmas sweet. From the beginning of December, served with dessert, guests are offered polvorones, mantecados and roscos de vino, in keeping with celebrations across Spain between Christmas Eve and Epiphany. Polvorones also share something in common with flamenco: they originate in Andalusia.
They began to be produced at the end of the 18th century in Antequera (Málaga) and Estepa (Seville), where a dough made from toasted flour, lard, sugar and almonds was first baked. Their popularity grew significantly when convents started making and selling them. The recipe was later refined in small bakeries, which began distributing them throughout Spain thanks to the arrival of the railway. Their name comes from their texture, as they crumble into powder when bitten. This is why there is a tradition of gently pressing them before opening the wrapper, so they hold together.
Spanish tables filled with sweets
When it comes to Christmas sweets, Spain offers a wide variety, and turrón is another essential. This sweet comes from the Valencian Community and is believed to date back to the period of Al-Andalus, between the 5th and 6th centuries. The most well-known varieties are soft turrón from Jijona (Alicante province), hard turrón from Alicante, toasted egg yolk turrón (made with egg yolk and sugar), and turrón de guirlache. Its base is made from nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios and peanuts. In recent years, however, new flavors have become popular, including coffee, coconut and lemon, as well as chocolate versions (dark, white, with almonds) and even more original flavors like cheesecake or crema catalana.
And although they take center stage for just one night, there is one fruit that is indispensable on Spanish tables on December 31: grapes. One grape for each chime of the clock at Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Eating twelve grapes has become the ritual to welcome the New Year. At the Tablao de Carmen, this tradition is also observed. In this case, artists accompany the live radio broadcast of the chimes with the rhythm of a hammer striking an anvil, an ancient flamenco percussion instrument, celebrating New Year’s Eve on stage. For those still craving something sweet, the final dessert that closes the Christmas season is reserved for January 6: the Roscón de Reyes.
Christmas events in Barcelona
For those spending these special days in the city, the Tablao de Carmen invites visitors to discover Barcelona’s flamenco scene. There are also other ways to experience Catalan Christmas traditions. During this season, the city is illuminated with festive lights, considered among the most beautiful in Spain. Strolling along avenues such as Passeig de Gràcia offers a perfect view, as does the Barcelona Christmas Tour, which guides visitors through the streets to admire the city’s decorations.
At Barcelona Cathedral, the Fira de Santa Llúcia, the oldest Christmas market in the world, has been held for 239 years, offering locals and visitors traditional Catalan items such as caganers and tions. More recently, another fair has been held for the past six years at Moll de la Fusta: Nadal al Port, where visitors can enjoy views of the city from a Ferris wheel or go ice skating by the harbor.
