5 typical Mexican foods and country traditions
To the typical Mexican foods have gained worldwide notoriety, thanks to the popularization of Texmex fast foods.
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But, for those who really want to know the culture and culinary essence of Mexico, it is important to give up the Texmex concept.
This is because local cuisine is not strong in barbecue and also avoids the concept of crunchy tacos.
The truth is that Mexican food is full of unique flavors, textures and strong cultural culinary standards.
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And, if you've always wanted to discover this side of Mexican food, know that today we're going to introduce you to 5 dishes that you can't miss on your list.
Therefore, to learn more about Mexican cuisine, don't miss the content below!
Typical Mexican foods x Tex Mex cuisine
When we talk about Mexican food, it's very difficult to find someone who doesn't know it.
That's because, just mention Mexico and someone will quickly remember the tasty guacamole and crunchy tortillas.
But, did you know that most people don't really know the typical Mexican foods?
This is because what has become popular as Mexican cuisine actually belongs to the Texmex concept.
Texmex food arises from the influence of Texas and Mexican culture, therefore, it is the combination of Texan cuisine and Mexican traditionality.
As a result, famous elements such as barbecue, crunchy tacos, sweet corn and even cheddar sauce are not part of Mexican cuisine.
These represent Texan heritage, and are not naturally used in Mexico.
And, if we stop to think about it, it's hard to imagine Mexican food without cheddar or ribs with barbecue sauce, right?
But the truth is that Mexican cuisine has elements that add complexity of flavor, textures and seasonings that go far beyond pepper.
Starting with the cheeses used, which are usually fresh and made from goat's milk.
Furthermore, corn is very important, as it serves as the basis for the construction of soft tortillas.
Peppers are not just there to bring spiciness, as they also help with juiciness, in addition to enhancing the flavor of the dishes.
So, it's clear that Mexican food goes far beyond cheese, pepper and crunch, as the flavors are built on a complex flavor base.
Texmex cuisine is incredible, but it doesn't resemble Mexico's cultural roots.
Main typical Mexican foods
By now you already understand that there are important differences between typical Mexican foods and the Texmex concept.
Therefore, it is clear that anyone who wants to have an immersive experience with Mexican cuisine should look for typical dishes.
For this reason, below we have brought 5 options of typical and traditional dishes from the culture.
A trip to Mexico can be an excellent opportunity to get to know food up close.
But, if you can't travel right now, a good traditional restaurant should help with this mission.
So, now see which dishes you should order to experience Mexican flavors!
Pozole
Pozole is one of the best dishes for those who want to discover typical Mexican foods.
That's because this soup brings together the most striking flavors of the country.
Pozole is a soup based on corn, chicken or pork and vegetables.
The typical Mexican dish has a reddish colored broth, thanks to the species of corn used.
Regarding the flavor, it is well influenced by the pepper and the meat used.
The soup is served with a side of vegetables, which helps to gain texture and complexity of flavor.
Cochinita pibil
When we talk about typical Mexican foods, the first thing many people think of is shredded meats, full of flavor.
And, Cochinita pibil is the ideal representation of this concept, as it is juicy and full of flavor.
Cochinita pibil is a dish composed of pork meat marinated in a mixture of bitter orange, achiote and various seasonings.
This marinated meat goes into the oven at a low temperature, wrapped in banana leaves.
After cooking, the meat is shredded and can be eaten alone or as a filling for tortillas and dumplings.
What stands out about this dish is that even after the oven, the meat remains very juicy and shreds very easily.
Mole poblano – one of the most exotic typical foods in Mexico
If you were looking for an exotic dish among the typical Mexican foods, mole poblano is the ideal option!
That's because this dish consists of chicken with a dark chocolate-based sauce.
And, if you think this is a sweet dish, know that it actually represents the bittersweet flavor well.
This is because the chocolate only serves as a base of flavor, since the sauce is made from onion, garlic, pepper, coriander and salt.
The chicken is normally cooked in seasoned water, and then finished with the sauce on top.
To add crunchiness, it is common to use toasted sesame seeds when finishing the plating.
Mixiote with meat
Mixiote with meat is very similar to Cochinita pibil, but the difference lies in the flavor base and the way of serving.
Mixiote with meat is a roast with a marinade made from paprika, cumin and various peppers.
The meat used can be beef, lamb and even chicken.
This marinade is baked in a banana leaf, and served in the same way, without shredding.
The texture of the meat is very soft, and the flavor takes on a robust and peppery tone.
Unlike Cochinita, this is usually a main dish and is not commonly seen as a filling.
All-you-can-eat tacos and burritos!
And, we couldn't talk about the typical Mexican foods not to mention the famous tacos and burritos.
This is because these are the most popular and famous dishes in the country.
Tacos and burritos can be found at every meal of the day, from breakfast to dinner.
The real difference with Mexican tacos is that they don't have the crunchiness of Texmex.
This is because the idea is that the tacos are soft and embrace the filling in a subtle way.
The burritos have traditional fillings, avoiding cheddar and barbecue.
For those who want to discover Mexican flavors, burritos and tacos are excellent options, as they offer a range of flavors in a single dish.
So, after knowing the best typical Mexican food options, you can finally organize your gastronomic itinerary around the country!