WHY "CALLE BESO", CERAMICS & GASTRONOMY
CALLE BESO (KISS STREET), the reason of its name.
Our street is one of the most romantic and tender street names in the world.
In the XVIII Century, was still called the Calle del Conde de Cabra by the aristocrat who after the conquest appropriated part of the Albaycín area in which we are.
And it says so...
In this house lived a couple with their beautiful daughter, a girl so angelic that all the neighbours loved her.
One day when her mother went to wake her up, found the girl completely inert. Horrified, she screamed, "My God, she's dead!” calling the neighbourhood, who transformed the into one crying.
At night they held the wake, in a climate of great tragedy. But the next day when they went to close the casket, the mother brought her lips to give her beloved a desperate last kiss and then the eyes of the "dead girl" opened slowly...
CERAMICS FROM FAJALAUZA
Original from the Albayzín, with a pottery tradition that dates back to 1517, are among the most typical craft pieces of the city.
The origins of this pottery dates back to the XVI Century as a continuation of Muslim pottery manufacture which originated with the conquest of the Moorish kingdom of Granada. So named due to the factory that built the Morales family next to the door Puerta de Fajalauza in the high Albayzín.
At first it was characterized by spontaneity, simplicity and thick brushstrokes, intense blue tones (one of the most expensive) and green, adorned with plant motifs. It took the forms of household dishes, fountains, decorative plates, tiles and even street signs and gravestones.
Later evolved into a more ornate decoration, cobalt blue was used and appeared new forms and new flowers designs, architectural motifs, the fruit of the Granada (pomegranate), shields and could not miss the birds (animal that stands out in the Spanish ceramics) and the Mudejar ceramics.
A decoration that makes this very special ceramic, painted by master craftsmen who moved away than usual and were guided by tradition and inspiration.
GASTRONOMY
Granada´s cuisine is the result of the mix of cultures that coexisted for centuries since the time of the kingdom Nazari until the coexistence of Christians, Moors and Jews. Arab heritage makes spices along with the variety of fresh products
that make it a tasty and simple kitchen differentiated by the weather conditions in the different regions of Granada.
Some of the most popular dishes, and without detracting from those not mentioned, are habas con jamón de Trevélez, Tortilla Sacromonte, the refreshing remojón, the sardines off the coast, avocados and mangoes from the Costa Tropical.
The piononos from Santa Fe (small pastries with different kinds of syrup crowned with toasted cream), choto al ajillo from Montefrío (baby goat kid with garlic and more that can taste in local places.
One of the traditional breakfasts, especially on weekends, is to have hot chocolate with churros (fried-dough pastry) in Plaza Bib-Rambla or in Plaza Mariana Pineda.
All recipes have been passed down from generation to generation evolving into a modern fusion cuisine incorporating the tapas (a wide variety of appetizers or snacks) -which are served free with every drink- complement the current cuisine of Granada and taste much better accompanied by a very cold beer Alhambra "Reserve 1925" or "Alhambra Especial".