{"id":20230,"date":"2026-10-03T10:43:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T10:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/the-little-la-palma-abc\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T12:02:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T12:02:16","slug":"the-little-la-palma-abc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/the-little-la-palma-abc\/","title":{"rendered":"The Little La Palma ABC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“A coffee, please”<\/em><\/em>\u201cCortado natural, leche leche, americano, or caf\u00e9 solo?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Even though the Canary Islands are part of Spain, there are still small linguistic and cultural differences. Even as a visitor with only a basic knowledge of Spanish, you\u2019ll notice this in everyday life. Because whether you\u2019re ordering a coffee in Los Llanos, a beer in Puerto Naos, or a stew in Puntallana\u2014you\u2019ll repeatedly come across terms that are unique to the Canary Islands. <\/p>\n\n

To help you get ready for the perfect vacation, I\u2019d like to give you a hand\u2014with a brief ABC of terms you\u2019re sure to come across during your trip. Let\u2019s get started!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"Barraquito
The Canarian Coffee Specialty: Barraquito<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

1. How about a little caffeine?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Let’s start with one of the most famous drinks in the Canary Islands. The barraquito <\/strong>is much more than just a cup of coffee. It consists of several layers and is a little work of art in a glass:<\/p>\n\n

\u00b7 sweetened condensed milk\u00b7 Liqueur 43\u00b7 espresso\u00b7 frothed milk\u00b7 a little lemon zest\u00b7 cinnamon<\/p>\n\n

That\u2019s why a barraquito isn\u2019t recommended before a bike ride\u2014the liqueur makes it more of a cozy treat to enjoy in the afternoon or after dinner.<\/p>\n\n

If you\u2019d rather start your morning like many locals do, order a cortado natural<\/strong> (also known as cortado con leche) or a leche y leche. This is an espresso with regular milk, or a mixture of regular milk and sweetened condensed milk. Much simpler than a barraquito, but just as typical of the Canary Islands.Our tip:<\/strong> Almost every caf\u00e9 prepares its barraquito just a little differently, so it\u2019s worth trying a few to compare \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n

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2 When we stop for a break along the way\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

After a few hours on the bike, hunger eventually sets in. And that\u2019s exactly when you\u2019re likely to come across these classics.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"Bocadillos—a<\/figure>\n\n

Un, dos, tres Bocadillo Corazon <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

A bocadillo is Spain\u2019s classic baguette sandwich<\/strong>. Depending on the bar, you\u2019ll find variations with Serrano ham, cheese, tortilla (an egg omelet in the French version, an egg-and-potato omelet in the Spanish version), carne y mojo (pork with a local paprika sauce), chicken, pork loin, or many other ingredients.<\/p>\n\n

The best part?<\/strong>It\u2019s often the most unassuming little bars<\/strong> that make the best bocadillos. From the outside, they sometimes look more like a village bar than a restaurant\u2014and that\u2019s exactly where the culinary highlights are often hidden.<\/p>\n\n

My advice: Listen to your guide.<\/strong> \ud83d\ude09 Over the years, we’ve explored every corner of the island and know plenty of insider tips.<\/p>\n\n

\"Ropa
Comfort Food: Ropa Vieja <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Ropa Vieja<\/h3>\n\n

Don’t worry\u2014you won’t be served “old clothes.” Although ” ropa vieja<\/strong> ” literally means ” old clothes<\/em>,” it’s one of the most popular traditional stews in the Canary Islands.<\/p>\n\n

The recipe varies slightly depending on the family and restaurant, but it usually consists of slow-braised beef, chickpeas, potatoes, and vegetables\u2014 nicely seasoned and wonderfully hearty. Especially on cooler days in the mountains, it\u2019s just the thing to recharge your batteries and is the perfect comfort food.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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The Venezuelan Influence: Arepas & Cachapas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Many visitors are surprised by how often Venezuelan food is offered on La Palma.<\/p>\n\n

The reason lies in history: Over many decades, many people emigrated from the Canary Islands to Venezuela. Later, many families returned to the islands\u2014and brought their cuisine with them.<\/p>\n\n

\"Cachapas
On the left, the cachapa cooked on the griddle; on the right, the fried arepa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

That\u2019s why arepas<\/strong> and cachapas<\/strong> are now almost a given on La Palma\u2019s culinary scene.<\/p>\n\n

Arepas<\/strong> are round corn flatbreads that are cut open and filled with cheese, meat, chicken, avocado, or many other ingredients.<\/p>\n\n

Cachapas<\/strong> are also made from corn, but are prepared using fresh corn dough. They\u2019re somewhat reminiscent of a thick pancake and are usually served with melted cheese or meat.<\/p>\n\n

When we stop for lunch, you\u2019ll often find these two dishes on the menu. The most popular version is the Reyna Pepiada con queso amarillo y salsa verde: a creamy chicken dish with cheese and a green sauce made from avocado.<\/p>\n\n

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\"Beer\"<\/figure>\n\n

3.End of the day? Time for a cerveza!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Some days, we end our tour at a beach bar and enjoy a well-deserved refreshment. And here are a few terms that will help you find your way around.<\/p>\n\n

Beer is called ” cerveza”<\/strong> in Spanish .<\/strong> Many people confuse the name with the Italian word ” birra<\/strong>,” but it’s usually understood anyway. Right after that comes the question:<\/p>\n\n

\u00bfCa\u00f1a o Jarra?<\/strong>\u00b7 Ca\u00f1a<\/strong> \u2013 a small draft beer.\u00b7 Jarra<\/strong> \u2013 a large beer.\u00b7 Clara<\/strong> \u2013 beer mixed with lemonade.<\/p>\n\n

Here’s a little tip: Locals often drink Dorada (preferably Especial) or Tropical\u2014both are perfect for a relaxing evening after your ride.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

4When we go out to eat together in the evening\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

In typical local restaurants, there are a few things you\u2019ll always find. It starts right away with the obligatory bread roll with aioli as soon as you sit down at the table, and continues immediately with another classic sauce:<\/p>\n\n

\"Mojo
Mojo Rojo and Mojo Verde with Salty Wrinkled Potatoes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Mojo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Mojo is the most famous sauce in the Canary Islands. It\u2019s made from bell peppers and comes in two main varieties:<\/p>\n\n

\u00b7 Mojo Rojo<\/strong> \u2013 spicy and perfect with potatoes and meat.\u00b7 Mojo Verde<\/strong> \u2013 fresh, usually made with cilantro or parsley, and ideal with fish.<\/p>\n\n

A MUST-TRY with the famous papas arrugadas<\/strong> \u2014the small salted potatoes that are a staple on practically every Canarian menu.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

Queso Asado<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
\"Grilled
Grilled, usually mild goat cheese served with various sauces\u2014a very traditional and incredibly delicious appetizer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

A dish that many guests have never even heard of before their vacation\u2014and regularly miss after their trip. Queso Asado<\/strong> is grilled Canarian goat cheese, usually served with a variety of sauces, ranging from mojo to jams and even honey. A perfect appetizer to share.Here\u2019s a little extra info: Did you know that we classify the cheese by color here? <\/p>\n\n

Queso Amarillo<\/strong> \u2013 simply put, this is almost always Gouda or similar types of yellow cheese.Queso Blanco<\/strong> \u2013 almost always made from goat\u2019s milk and available in all varieties, from fresh and smoked to strongly aged.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

Things You\u2019re Guaranteed to Hear<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Finally, here are two phrases you\u2019ll come across constantly in everyday life.\u201cNo pasa nada.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

When something takes a few minutes longer. When someone is running late. Or when everything just moves at a more relaxed pace. This phrase, which literally means \u201cnothing is happening,\u201d is <\/em>the classic way of saying , \u201cDon\u2019t stress. Everything will be fine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

And of course\u201cVale\u201d<\/strong>While Spaniards usually ask us what the German word \u201cgenau\u201d means, visitors quickly ask about the meaning of \u201cvale\u201d.Literally, it means “it’s worth it,” and it’s generally used for “OK,” “Aaaaah,” “That’s fine,” etc.<\/p>\n\n

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Our conclusion:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

La Palma isn’t just discovered on spectacular trails or while enjoying the view from Roque de los Muchachos.<\/p>\n\n

You also discover the island in small bars, family-run restaurants, and with dishes whose names you’ve never heard before.<\/p>\n\n

Maybe after your next tour, you\u2019ll order a ca\u00f1a<\/strong> without a second thought, know exactly what an arepa<\/strong> is, and look forward to some queso asado with mojo<\/strong> in the evening.Then you\u2019ll have truly arrived on La Palma.<\/p>\n\n

And that’s really what traveling is all about. It’s not just about discovering new places\u2014it’s also about getting a little taste of their culture.<\/p>\n\n

P.S.: And if you want to round out the experience, why not ask your guide about Papas Locas\u2014it\u2019s more of an evening thing, and it could be addictive. I know what I\u2019m talking about\u2026<\/p>\n\n

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\"Contact<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Do you have questions about a stay on the island? Feel free to contact me: for example, you can click HERE<\/strong><\/a> to schedule a personal consultation where we can clear up any questions in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See you soon, sunny regardsSilvi<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“A coffee, please”\u201cCortado natural, leche leche, americano, or caf\u00e9 solo?\u201d Even though the Canary Islands are part of Spain, there are still small linguistic and cultural differences. Even as a visitor with only a basic knowledge of Spanish, you\u2019ll notice this in everyday life. Because whether you\u2019re ordering a coffee in Los Llanos, a beer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20226,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[167],"tags":[169,71],"class_list":["wd-product-box","post-20230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cuisine-culture","tag-culture","tag-la-palma-en","wd-post",false],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20230"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20234,"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20230\/revisions\/20234"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountain-ride.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}