cocina

Cocina is a Spanish noun with several related meanings. Most commonly it denotes the room in a house or building where food is prepared—the kitchen. It can also refer to the act of cooking itself, as in la cocina diaria, and, in a broader sense, to a culture’s culinary traditions, as in la cocina mexicana or la cocina mediterránea.

The word derives from Latin coquina, meaning kitchen, and is related to the verb cocinar, from Latin coquīre, to cook. In many Spanish-speaking regions, cocina is used to name regional styles of cooking beyond the physical room, such as la cocina catalana or la cocina peruana.

Architecturally, kitchens have evolved from separate workrooms to integrated spaces in many homes. Common features include countertops, storage, sinks, stoves or ovens, refrigeration, and ventilation. Cooking practices and kitchen layouts vary by country and culture, affecting equipment, workflow, and the social role of the kitchen.

Related topics include kitchen, cuisine, and culinary arts.