By admin on June 20, 2024
Mexican food has an incredible history behind it. It was built on regional ingredients to the people living in the area for millennia. That history is worth learning about, and goes far beyond the food. Let’s take a look now at the people behind the recipes we love.
It’s not clear when the first humans made Mexico their home. The earliest confirmed evidence of people in Mexico are the remains of a 21,000 year old campfire. Earlier evidence could date back as far as 40,000 years ago, but is unconfirmed.
What we do know is that the early people of Mexico loved the stars. Prehistoric Mexicans were astronomers, and carefully charted stars. Many of their cities and religious monuments were designed around the stars.
One of the most important foods in the entire world is corn. We can thank ancient Mexican and South American ancestors for the development of this treasured ingredient. Corn was likely developed from a wild grass ancestor, Teosinte, which was selectively bred for larger and larger seeds over the course of thousands of years.
Although the majority of people in Mexico speak Spanish, there are a few words from one of the native languages, Nahuatl, that have become part of their vocabulary. You may be surprised to learn you know a few words of Nahuatl yourself! These words include chocolate, avocado, coyote and tomato.
Today, many of the values of the Mexican people have stayed strong for centuries. Most Mexican families are large. Family obligations extend beyond immediate family and may even include close friends.
Mexican people love to hold parties that include their entire family. One example of a common celebration is a girl’s 15th birthday party. This is called the quinceañera, and is an important party signifying a child’s transition to adulthood.
The party is usually very lavish, and includes a beautiful, elaborate dress for the birthday girl.
Mexican food is as much a part of Mexican culture as the language spoken and their family values. We’ve all enjoyed the beautiful, rich and unique foods from Mexico, such as refried beans or an enchilada.
Most Mexican food surrounds ingredients local to the area. Tortillas, salsa, guacamole and chille peppers all came from Mexico or very close to it.
The many creative dishes that have come from these staples are now a worldwide phenomenon that is eaten and appreciated around the globe.
Mexican Art
Another important feature to Mexican culture is their artwork. Pottery, elaborate embroidery, and colorful baskets are all examples of Mexican artwork. Many artists also choose to do large murals on walls over small paintings that can be moved or sold.
The Mexican culture is incredibly rich, filled with history. Mexican restaraunts are often decorated with artwork and pottery made in Mexico. The next time you visit a Mexican restaurant, take a moment to admire the scenery. The art and style we recognize as authentically Mexican has a rich and complex history to it. It’s well worth a closer look.
