The exciting Mexican cuisine!
One of the most widespread and beloved cuisines worldwide is the delicious and rich Mexican cuisine! It is based on natural, pure ingredients and is widely known for its special blend of flavours, the variety of ingredients and seasonings, and the colourful decoration of its dishes.
History
Mexican cooking is based on the ancient traditional eating habits of the Aztecs and Mayans (with a 5,000-year history), combined with dietary trends brought by Spanish colonists. Specifically, in 1519, the Spanish conquered Mexico and were impressed by the culinary philosophy of these two ancient civilizations. They introduced several elements from their own country, such as olive oil, chickpeas, rice, citrus fruits, garlic, cheese, and recipes from the Mediterranean and North Africa. Later, influences from other European immigrants were added, making the modern Mexican diet a representative mix of pre-Columbian, Spanish, French, and, more recently, American cultures.
The basic ingredients
Corn and beans are the two main traditional products of the country, and their use is widespread. Corn is also used to make masa, the famous dough for tamales and tortillas. Other commonly used ingredients include peppers, tomatoes, rice, chili, sweet potatoes, legumes, pumpkins, onions, garlic, and various exotic fruits (mango, papaya, avocado, pineapple, etc.). There are also unique accompaniments such as flor de calabaza, nopales (prickly pear cactus), huitlacoche, romeritos, and pepitas (pumpkin seeds). Popular spices include cumin, cinnamon, coriander, oregano, chili powder, chipotle, jalapeno, and epazote.
Mexican menus and dishes
Each region is characterized by specific flavours. For example, the southeastern part is famous for spicier vegetable and chicken dishes, the north for beef, and the coastal regions for seafood. It should be noted that not every recipe is spicy, and authentic Mexican cuisine often differs significantly from what is typically served in commercial restaurants.
Basic dishes consist of tortillas filled with various ingredients. Depending on the preparation, they are called tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, or tamales. Of course, chili con carne—a spicy dish based on minced meat and beans served with rice—is a staple. Additionally, this cuisine is famous for its sauces; in fact, Mexican salsa has surpassed ketchup in sales in America! It makes sense, then, that there is a wide variety of dips, such as cheese dip and guacamole.
As we have seen, Mexican cuisine consists of a wide variety of materials and colours with rich, bold flavours. Beyond visiting restaurants, you can easily prepare Mexican recipes at home using ready-made spice mixes and authentic ingredients available on the market. The choice of flavours is yours!
Viva México!
