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STAFF REPORTER AROUND 65 percent of people in the Balearic Islands go out more often to enjoy tapas during the summer months, a market research survey on bread consumption revealed yesterday.

Interviews showed that 6 out of 10 participants believed bread to be a key accompaniment to tapas and that octopus, squid and spicy potatoes were the favourite tapas dishes.

Just over half (53 percent) of those taking part in the survey said that they prefer to eat tapas at dinner time, 26 percent said that they weren't particular about the time of day as they enjoyed tapas at lunch-time or in the evening, and 18 percent said they usually ate them at midday.

The head of the Clinical Nutrition and Diet department of Madrid's University Hospital claimed that eating tapas is part of the gastronomic culture of Spaniards and that it is a healthy one as long as the rations don't contain too much fat.

People in the Balearics, claimed the research were more likely to go out to enjoy tapas in summer because there was more time to linger over a bite to eat and drink, and that it was an opportunity to enjoy the company of others, mostly family and friends, with “something to pick at.”