Tacos to Tamales: A Mexican Food Tour
With its ancient history and colorful culture, Mexico is a popular tourist destination. But for food-loving travelers, it's the delicious cuisine that makes Mexico the perfect place to visit.
From street food to traditional meals served in cantinas and restaurants, it's not difficult to find a delicious meal in Mexico. And with different parts of the country offering different cuisines, a trip to Mexico is a tour for the taste buds.
The history of Mexican food goes back thousands of years, to the days when the Mayans ruled the Yucatán Peninsula.
The Mayans invented the tamale, now a popular street food made of corn dough, with meat and vegetables inside. The dumpling-like snack is often served wrapped in a plantain or corn leaf, and is delicious on its own or served with avocado and rice.
For those who like a little spice, the traditional pico de gallo salsa can be added to almost any savory dish, and is believed to have been invented by the Aztecs, who used chillies to make the spicy sauce.
For something sweeter, cacao can be found anywhere in Mexico, and is used not only for food but also for special occasions. Still popular as a sweet drink or as chocolate, cacao was grown in Mexico as early as 2000 BC, and was so important to Mayan and Aztec cultures that it was used in ceremonies and even as money.
When the Spanish took over Mexico in the 16th century, they also had a big impact on the country's cuisine. The Spanish introduced animals such as cows, pigs and chickens, which added new meats to the country's menu, as well as dairy products.
Cheese is now a key part of Mexican cuisine, and is often added to tacos, burritos and other dishes. The Spanish also introduced rice — which is served with many Mexican dishes alongside beans — as well as coriander, a popular garnish for savory foods.
