Did you know that the origins of basic Mexican cuisine can be traced back to 7000 BCE? At that time, Mexico and Central America had yet to be colonized and indigenous people survived by hunting animals and gathering plants. One of the most commonly consumed plants in Mexico was the wild chile pepper. In modern times, authentic Mexican food can include tacos, quesadillas, pambazos, tamales, huaraches, alambres, al pastor. In addition, street food often includes food that is not suitable to cook at home such as barbacoa, roasted chicken, and pork carnitas because most homes in Mexico do not have ovens. Without a doubt, Mexican food is one of most unique, colorful, delicious, and varied foods in the world. To learn more about Mexican cuisine, keep reading below for our Beginner’s Guide to Mexican food.
Common Ingredients
To start with, there are few common ingredients that are found in the majority of Mexican dishes. For starters, beans are without a doubt a true staple in the Mexican diet. The most common beans in Mexico are pinto beans and black beans which can be served whole or refried. Beans are also commonly used in a variety of Mexican stews. Next, it is sometimes said that Mexicans are people “of the corn”. Corn was domesticated over 10,000 years ago and it is a staple in the Mexican diet as well as a deeply cultural symbol. You can find corn in tortillas and tamales. Next, another common ingredient in Mexican dishes are chili peppers. Chili peppers bring a level of heat, flavor, and color to various dishes. There are a wide variety of chili peppers that can be smoky, spicy, or even subtly sweet.
Popular Dishes
Next, when it comes to popular dishes, tacos are the number one authentic Mexican food. Tacos can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack. Tacos have been around for centuries in Mexican cuisine and corn or flour tortillas can be used. Many variations of taco fillings exist including al pastor pork, beef carne asada, lamb birria, shrimp, and more. Next, enchiladas are a popular dish that is smothered in sauce, melted cheese, and eaten with a knife and fork. Flour or corn tortillas are filled with meat or cheese then rolled up, and the sauce can be green, red or white which is poured over the top. Then, enchiladas are often served with shredded cheese or fresh cheese as well as lettuce, onions, and cilantro. Lastly, a common dish for breakfast is chilaquiles, which are basically nacho chips covered with salsa and topped with a fried egg.
We hope you enjoyed our article about Mexican cuisine including common ingredients and popular dishes. In addition to what we have listed above, other popular dishes include pozole, chile rellenos, mole, pescado zarandeado, flautas, menudo, burritos, ceviche, and so much more. If you’d really like to learn more about Mexican food, there’s no better way than to visit the beautiful country in person. There, you can try all kinds of fresh and flavorful authentic Mexican cuisine for yourself. In addition to great food, Mexico is a popular vacation destination due to the country’s excellent climate, natural beauty, beautiful beaches, and friendly locals. Why not surprise your family and book a dream vacation to visit Mexico soon? During your stay, don’t forget to try as many types of amazing Mexican food as you can!
About Lemuria Real Estate
Ideally situated on Puerto Vallarta’s exclusive South Shore, Lemuria Residences is a new luxury condominium complex that belongs to a Master planned community designed by the prestigious Gensler Global Architecture firm. The ecologically planned themed property includes more than 1700 acres of preserved Sierra Madre jungle with stunning views of the mountains and Banderas Bay. The outstanding onsite amenities include multiple pools, BBQ areas, restaurants, a 2000 square meter spa, Sports Club, gym, tennis courts, pickleball courts, organic herb garden, and yoga spaces. There are also freshwater rivers and private hiking trails located nearby so it’s the ideal place to invest if you want to be close to nature. Contact Lemuria Residences today to learn more about our luxury beachfront condominiums for sale in Puerto Vallarta.