Mexican Cuisine and Holidays

Cuisine in Mexico

Mexican cuisine is world-renowned for its blending of indigenous and European cultures. As a matter of fact, you will find Mexican food (even if not as good as the dishes in Mexico) in most world cities. Popular dishes in Mexico include maize, tortilla, tacos, enchiladas, frijoles, atole, tamales, and pozole. The main Mexican ingredients typically include chicken, pork, beef, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, peppers, chillis, onions, peanuts, avocados and guavas. Popular beverages include water flavoured with a variety of fruit juices, and soothing drinks that incluced cinnamon-flavoured hot chocolate prepared with milk or water and blended until it becomes frothed. Alcoholic beverages include mescal, pulque and tequila that can only be produced in Mexico for its authenticy.

Holidays in Mexico

Mexico does not lack a reason to celebrate. As a matter of culture and tradition there is always a reason to celebrate with friends, family and neighbors.

Mexicans celebrate independence day (from Spain) on September 15 and 16, and other holidays with colourful festivals known as "Fiestas".

Every Mexican city, town and village holds a yearly festival to commemorate their local “patron” saints. During these festivities people pray and burn candles to honour their saints in churches decorated with flowers and colourful utensils. They also many hold large parades, fireworks, dance competitions, beauty pageant contest, party and buy refreshments in the market places and public squares. In the smaller towns and villages, football, boxing, cockfighting and amateur bullfighting are also celebrated during the festivities.

Other very notable celebrations in Mexico include: Carnaval (in February 3 to February 8), Semana Santa ("Easter", on March or April), Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May", celebrated on May 5) and Día de los Muertos ("Day Of the Dead", celebrated on October 31 to November 2). Other festivities include Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe ("Guadalupe Day"), Las Posadas ("The Inns", celebrated on December 16 to December 24), Noche Buena ("Holy Night", celebrated on December 24), Navidad ("Christmas", celebrated on December 25) and Año Nuevo ("New Years Day", celebrated on December 31 to January 1). "Guadalupe Day" is regarded by many Mexicans as the most important religious holiday of their country with millions of patrons visiting "Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine" in Mexico City on December 11th and 12th each year.

Read about Mexico's climate >