Appetizer

Appetizers, appetizer also, are small appetizers that are served before the meal to whet the appetite. At an official reception or banquet, they are also served to bridge the waiting time until the beginning of the meal. The snacks may be eaten with the fingers ( finger food ) even at upscale occasions. Especially in Mediterranean countries appetizers are also served in the evenings in bars and pubs to alcoholic beverages. In other countries, there are appetizers for the various country-specific terms:

• In the Arab cuisine Mezze
• In Germany usually canapés
• In France hors d' oeuvres, amuse- gueule or amuse-bouche
• In Greece Mezedes
• In Italy Tartine or Stuzzichini
• Tapas in Spain
• In Russia Zakuski

In Bavaria, this is called Magendratzerl.

The separation between appetizers and hors d'oeuvres is not always clear-cut. Various mezze are therefore often part of an Arab menus. Also, it has become common to rich at an Italian menu as an appetizer, a choice of antipasti, especially in restaurants, which often offer an extensive buffet of appetizers.

• Appetizer