Interesting Facts About Mexican Food That Will Keep You Adventurous

Veggies and fruits first, then meat.

When most people think of traditional Mexican food, they see a lot of spice, rice, beef, and refried beans. However, nutritious components such as vegetables and fruits are used in Mexican food. Instead of poultry and beef, most traditional Mexican recipes incorporate chilli peppers, corn, and beans. Furthermore, while having a Mexican dish, you may find yourself enjoying a variety of unusual vegetables such as cactus, chayote, and quintoniles. Mangoes, pomegranates, and jackfruit are significant components in various Mexican recipes.

Different food cultures in various regions

While fruits and vegetables are among the most crucial elements in all Mexican cuisines, not all regions of Mexico provide the same meal. Residents in the north prefer a meat-based diet, while those in the south prefer chicken-based cuisine. Meat and chicken are not used as primary components in Mexican dishes. Instead, they are employed as a condiment to enhance the meal's flavour.

Caesar Salad's Origin

With steak and baked potatoes, Caesar salad is typically considered a must-have. Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant, invented the salad in 1924. During the prohibition era, he operated a restaurant called Caesar's in Tijuana and sought to attract more customers despite the limitations. 

Caesar ran out of ingredients throughout the Fourth of July weekend that year. As a result, he decided to cook something using the ingredients he had on hand: romaine lettuce, croutons, garlic, eggs, Worcester sauce, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Caesar's last-minute thinking resulted in the creation of this salad!

The Origins of Nachos

Nacho is known as a side dish and a snack all over the world and is also used as an affectionate nickname in Mexico. So, how did the nachos we know and love come to be known as Nachos? The plot is similar to that of Caesar Salad. Ignacio Anaya Garcia, better known as Nacho, was a restaurateur who entertained the spouses of some American soldiers at his Piedras Negras restaurant. Ignacio deep-fried some tortillas and topped them with jalapeno peppers and grated cheese. 'Nachos especiales,' he named the dish. Rest assured, his snack meal was a hit that grew in popularity over time, eventually appearing on the menus of various Mexican restaurants.

Tomatoes were first grown here.

Italy may have the ideal pasta sauce in the world, but tomatoes are not its native fruit. When the Spanish invaded Mexico in the 16th century, they learned that the Aztecs used tomatoes liberally in their cuisine. After that, their seeds were sent to Spain.

The cuisine of the World Heritage

It may surprise you to learn that UNESCO only recognizes three international cuisines in the world, proclaiming them worthy of inclusion on its intangible heritage lists. Mexican cuisine is one of three on the list, the other two being French and Mediterranean.

Selection of Distinctive Ingredients

Mexicans see the foods that most of us find strange in our eating culture as the pinnacle of delicious gastronomy. Grasshoppers, for example, are the main component in numerous Mexican dishes. Tacos may potentially include ant larvae and worms in rare cases. Mexicans also enjoy incorporating flowers into their meals. Pumpkin flowers, for example, are a typical addition to soups, while yucca flowers are used to make stew. But wait, there's more! Mexicans like to replace meat with vegetables, such as meaty cactus, which has a flavour similar to cooked beef and chicken.

Carbohydrate-Protein Combination Perfection

Authentic Mexican cuisine is healthier than you would expect. Most Mexican dishes are abundant in vitamins and minerals, with a low fat-to-carbohydrate ratio. Several diet plans recommend eating Mexican cuisine to promote excellent health since they have the optimal combination of all vital elements, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat.

Mexican cuisine does not waste anything.

Traditional Mexican recipes don't squander much. For example, there is a meal for almost every portion of the cow's flesh, including rarer cuts like the stomach, udder, tongue, and even testicles and uterus.

The Number One Ingredient

While fruits and vegetables are featured in practically every Mexican cuisine, they are not the main elements. In truth, chilli pepper is the most commonly used cooking ingredient, as it is used not only in savoury meals but also in a few Mexican sweet delicacies.

Tacos – The Lunch Food

The definition of 'taco' is "light lunch." While tacos have become an all-time favourite, they were originally intended to be eaten during lunch. Another custom states that only tacos with seafood filling should be eaten for lunch, whereas street tacos should be consumed in the late afternoon or evening.

Mole Species Extensive

Traditional Mexican sauces are related to the term "mole." While many people believe that there is only one type of mole created from chocolate and cinnamon, the truth is far from this long-held fiction. The mole may be created with several components.

The majority of Mexican mole recipes do incorporate sweet culinary components. There is, however, a whole other world of moles cooked with zesty spices and chilli peppers.

Nothing is picky when it's tortillas.

When preparing a typical Mexican tortilla, the only thing to remember is that there are no rules. Vegetables, fruits, pork, shrimp, meat, seafood, poultry, grilled beef, cream, and even insects are commonly used to season Mexican recipes. You may add whatever you want to your tortilla, and it will still be authentic Mexican cuisine. To suit their tastes, some Mexicans top their tortillas with grasshoppers, eggs, tripe, and Korean sauce. Tacos may also be sweet, with a tortilla filled with fruit and ice cream. 

Churros outnumber doughnuts in Mexico.

When it comes to amusing facts about Mexican meals, we can't leave out churros! Churros, sometimes known as 'Spanish doughnuts,' are far more common in Mexico than the hole-in-the-centre doughnuts we're used to. The sweet snack was initially produced at the size of a standard breadstick. They have, however, shrunk with time, which is a godsend for our waistlines because you can't stop yourself from dipping these fried and sugar-dipped sticks in caramel cream.

Our Final Conclusion

You can't go wrong with the ever-delicious Mexican dishes, which include tacos, churros, and tortillas. We hope you enjoyed learning about these fascinating facts as much as you enjoyed eating your favourite Mexican meal.