- Chicken, beef and pork
- Tortillas
- Beans
- Plantains
- Chocolate
- Cactus
- Limes
- Avocado
- Chiles and peppers
- Onions and tomatoes
Mexico is famous for rich, spicy foods that feature ingredients such as tortillas, chili peppers, and beans. Mexican cuisine is a flavorful combination of native Mayan and Aztec cultures, but has also been influenced by the Spanish conquistadores. Like many other countries, Mexican cuisine tends to vary depending on the region and the availability of ingredients.
Chiles, a spicy
native fruit of Mexico,
are at the heart of Mexican cuisine. There are many varieties of chiles, ranging from extremely hot to smoky to mild in flavor. Some of the most popular chiles include:
- Ancho
- Arbol
- Cascabel
- Chilaca
- Chipotle
- Guajillo
- Guero
- Habanero
- Poblano
- Serrano
Meals in Mexico are eaten at a leisurely pace and are a way of socializing with family and friends. It is interesting to note that people in Mexico often leave a small portion of food on their plate as a courtesy and tradition. To leave an empty plate is traditionally considered impolite. While Americans tend to eat three large meals, people in Mexico typically eat five meals throughout the day
- Desayuno is the first meal of the day and consists of lighter fare, such as coffee, sweet rolls, and fruit. Occasionally, a heartier breakfast may be in order, which may include frijoles (beans), meat, eggs, tortillas, and cheese enchiladas.
- Almuerzo is served at roughly 11 a.m. This is a more substantial meal that may feature eggs poached in a poblano chile borth, black bean huraches (deep fried turnovers) with eggs and salsa, or tortillas filled with meat or beans. This meal is usually accompanied by coffee or fruit juices.
- La comida is the big meal of the day, and is served around 2 or 3 p.m. It is comprised of four courses. The first course is soup or pasta, the second course includes a meat or fish dish with vegetables, the third course features fruit or a salad. The meal is completed with the serving of dessert and coffee. This meal is traditionally followed by a lengthy afternoon nap, or siesta.
- Merienda is an early evening snack that is eaten around 6 or 7 p.m. This snack may consist of sweet pastries and coffee, tea or soft drinks while having a relaxing conversation with family members.
- Cena is the final meal of the day and is served around 9 p.m. This is a light meal made of leftovers from the earlier meals and served with soup or a taco. This meal is sometimes skipped entirely. If there is a family feast or celebration, however, cena may also be an all-night affair.