We all know that Mexican food is GOOD food, but how much do we really know about traditional Mexican cuisine? For example, did you know that a burrito is not truly Mexican cuisine, but a type of food known as Tex-Mex? Tex-Mex cuisine is actually a combination of Northern Mexican and Southern Texan foods combined. Knowing a bit about the history of Mexican cuisine is not only interesting, but can bring a renewed appreciation to the culture’s delicious dishes, desserts, and beverages.
Mexican Americans in the U.S.
The Mexican community and culture has become an integral part of the United States. There are over 45 million Hispanic people in the U.S. , and more than 60% of these people are of Mexican descent. While this population is spread out across the country, a large proportion of Mexican Americans live in California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Interestingly, the largest community of Mexicans outside of the border states is in Chicago, Illinois. Because Hispanic people are such a large part of North America‘s population, it is not surprising that Hispanic cuisine has become very popular in the U.S.
Traditional Mexican Cuisine
Authentic Mexican food is colorful, flavorful and just plain delicious! The cuisine, like the country, reflects a rich history of many different influences:
- Mayan – Authentic Mexican food is thought to have been derived from the Mayan Indians. Mayan food was a direct product of their nomadic, hunter-gatherer culture – wild game, fish, beans, and maize (corn).
- Aztec – Aztec influence was incorporated in the mid 1300’s. In addition to the Mayan staples, ingredients such as honey, vanilla, salt, chili peppers, and cacao were introduced to the cuisine. Poultry, such as wild turkey and duck, were also domesticated.
- Spanish – The strongest influence on Mexican cuisine came through Spain’s conquest for Mexico in the 1500’s. The Spaniards introduced livestock such as pigs, cows and sheep as well as many herbs, spices, and wheat.
- Other – Other influences in Mexican cuisine include French, Caribbean, and South American.
Mexican cuisine typically incorporates many types of fresh fish and seafood, which can be attributed to the country’s coastline borders. The country also boasts grazing lands to the north, fertile agricultural land to the south, and a climate which allows many types of tropical plants to thrive. These elements of the country bring an abundance of ingredients together to create dynamic cuisine which truly has something for everyone.
Examples of delicious traditional Mexican dishes include:
- Tamales
- Tortas
- Nopales
- Tacos
- Posole
- Carnitas
- Sweet Pastries
- Hot Chocolate
- Picadillo
- Mole
- Agua Fresca
- Sopa de Fideos
Today’s Mexican Cuisine
As you might expect from reading this introduction to the history of Mexican food, modern Mexican cuisine is very diverse and incorporates ingredients from a wide variety of influences. While authentic Mexican dishes are still a large part of current Mexican cuisine, many modern dishes incorporate ingredients and preparation techniques outside of the traditional category. In fact, many of today’s fast food and chain restaurants feature foods so varied from traditional dishes that many people do not consider them to serve “Mexican” food. Mexican cuisine will likely influence and fuse with dishes from many cultures as the food industry of the United States continues to progress.
