Mexican food is well known all around the globe because of its delicious taste and recipes. It’s been well-admired for its vibrant and authentic cuisine that drives visitors from different parts of the world, crazy!

When you visit Mexico, you’ll find various types of cuisine. The dishes well known for their amazing taste, fresh and unique ingredients. One wonderful fact about Mexican food is that Mexicans from southern parts prefer chicken and vegetables, while people that live in the North region prefer beef and chicken in their dishes like BBQs (carne asada) or tacos.

With Mexican food, there’s never a dull moment at the table. And this doesn’t refer only to its world-famous spiciness. Every Mexican dish comes with a story that can take you back centuries, or even project you into the future. For example, did you know that Aztec emperors were the first taco aficionados? They were feasted on a daily basis with a wide selection of meats which they ate with tortillas. Another fun fact: a taco is such an efficient way to consume food that tacos are a well-established space dish and are expected to be included in the menu for future missions to Mars.

Mexicans combine all different ingredients to create tasty salsas or even dressings for authentic and healthy recipes that will provide all the minerals, proteins and vitamins you need.

One of the most common ingredients used in some parts of Mexico are the nopalitos (cactus). They are a very popular vegetable with very low calories and high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Mexicans use nopalitos in salads, tacos and even as a side dish.

When people think of Mexican food, they usually think of spicy flavors, that sensation that burns the tongue. Chile peppers are a popular ingredient in the Mexican cuisine. There’s a wide variety of them in different parts of Mexico, and they are an important part of the indigenous Mexican diet along with rice, cacao, avocado, beans, and cactus (nopales). Chile peppers will add a delicious flavor to any dish. If you are totally crazy for spicy food, Mexican cuisine is the perfect option for you.

Tacos grab all the Mexican food spotlight on an international level. But did you know some delicious desserts are also available in this country? Mexican food is also famous thanks to the cacao, that is delicious and high in antioxidants, and some different types of desserts like churros, cornbread, or sweet tamales. You can find some desserts like churros on the streets. You can generally choose between the simplest one, or the stuffed churro filled with dulce de leche, chocolate or caramel. Tamales are also a representative Mexican dish. You can find sweet versions with fillings such as chocolate in different parts of the country. Mexican cuisine often features corn as a key ingredient. Cornbread is a sweet bread made of corn, really typical across Mexico and is sometimes served as individual cupcakes or sliced.

Mexican food presents some of the most delicious and unique flavors. Some of the most commonly used ingredients in Mexican cooking are garlic, onions, cilantro, oregano, cumin and chilies. Believe it or not, over 100 different chili varieties are used in Mexican cooking. Cinnamon, cloves and cocoa are also used in ways we typically do not see in North American or European dishes. Epazote is a very unique, traditional Central American herb that has been used in Mexican Food since ancient times. Used in bean, fish, and corn dishes, it presents a strong, musky flavor that contributes highly to the exceptional flavors of Mexico.

You can’t understand Mexico without understanding its cuisine. Conversely, you can’t enjoy Mexican cuisine without getting to know a little more about Mexico. Mexican food reflects the character of its people: generous, lively, sometimes fiery, and always adaptable. That’s the beauty of food in general: it makes it a pleasure to get a glimpse into the lives of others. While we can’t always talk or speak like people from other countries, we can eat like them. It may be impossible to walk a mile in their shoes, but we can put the same food in our mouths, and very often that’s enough to promote greater mutual understanding.