Mexico is one of our favorite travel destinations, boasting delicious street food, exciting fiestas and some of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. But did you know it is also home to one of the smallest dog breeds ever seen in history?
The Mexican flag comprises three colors – green, white and red – each symbolizing something important in its history. Green stands for hope while white symbolizes purity while red remembers all those lost fighting for independence.
Tacos al pastor
Tacos al pastor are an iconic Mexican dish, featuring tender pork meat paired with fresh pineapple in a delicious chile and achiote sauce for a tantalizing combination of sweetness, savoriness, citrus acidity and spice. Try this easy recipe at home to bring the taste of the taqueria right into your own kitchen!
Tacos al pastor have an interesting story of cultural fusion and adaptation in its heritage. Most likely originating with Lebanese immigrants to Mexico who brought with them an idea for spit-roasting meat (originally lamb); upon reaching Mexico the recipe evolved further with addition of pork as well as foundational ingredients like chilies and achiote to give tacos al pastor its distinctive Mexican taste.
One key distinction between shawarma and tacos al pastor lies in their respective delivery systems – pita bread for one and soft tortillas for another. Although these differences may seem minor, they’re essential in creating authentic tasting tacos al pastor.
To start this recipe, start with deboned pork shoulder that has been cut into thin steaks to save both time and work in the kitchen. Next, marinate them in an adobada using Mexican dried chiles such as guajillo, ancho, pasilla and mulato that have first been toasted before being soaked in hot water before being blended to form a paste.
Next, mix in some achiote paste (or annatto powder) to create the classic al pastor color and flavor profile. You can find it at most Latin-American and Mexican grocery stores. Finally, heat your grill until your pork has cooked – once done it can be easily cut into slices for tortillas!
Chocolate
Chocolate is not only a delectable treat, but is also an integral component of many Mexican dishes. From hot chocolate and mole negro drinks, to desserts like caneles. Mexican chocolate is typically whipped into a foam using a device known as a molinillo before being served alongside almonds as part of its tradition dating back to Aztec times.
Baking or milk chocolate are often made from cacao beans melted and mixed together with sugar to form a liquid form, while authentic Mexican chocolate typically features coarsely ground cacao, sugar, and cinnamon for its grainier texture. Depending on its region of production, other ingredients like nuts or chilies may also be added for unique flavors profiles.
Though its exact origin remains disputed, many believe the word “chocolate” to have come from Nahuatl xocolatl or Spanish atl – perhaps from either of those cultures; alternatively it could have come from Mayan chocol.
Mexico offers comforting hot chocolate as a refreshing beverage that is enjoyed year-round, yet especially around holiday celebrations such as Day of the Dead and Christmastime. Traditional drinks consist of dunking basic bread such as bolillos or tortillas in it for optimal chocolatey goodness; authentic Mexican chocolate should not contain additives or gums and it is important to read labels to make sure products purchased from ethical vendors such as Rainforest Alliance/Fair Trade certified suppliers are made ethically.
Volcanoes
Popocatepetl (known locally as El Popo) has been emitting toxic fumes, ash and molten rocks since reemerging from dormancy in 1994. Since then, its activity has included sending up lava fountains into the atmosphere and blanketing cities with an ash blanket; its most recent eruption last weekend even forced airports and schools to close as it blanketed an airport with smoke and forced schools into recess.
This volcano forms part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, an area in which Rivera and Cocos plates intersect. Its activity is stimulated by magma rising up from deep within the Earth to be heated and compressed before flowing down towards its destination, producing extremely hot lava that may even explode upon reaching the surface.
Scientists carefully monitor the volcano using heat sensors, cameras and high-tech equipment at its summit. They work around-the-clock and report back to 13 scientists located in Mexico City who manage a command centre; since 1998 they’ve used traffic light signals with green for safety, yellow for alert and red for danger to communicate the levels of risk.
Researchers like Sunye Puchol travel to communities near El Popo volcano to educate residents on natural hazards and develop evacuation plans. Her efforts are crucial, since volcanoes pose different levels of risk to different people; red alert indicates an immediate evacuation is imminent; past eruptions of El Popo have released toxic gases into Mexico City which prompted airport closures and forced some schools to close; in 2017 an earthquake with magnitude 7.1 caused several lahars on Popocatepetl which resulted in numerous lahars which ultimately resulted in multiple lahars resulting in hundreds of deaths – further increasing awareness about natural hazards among local residents who face increased risks when exposed.
Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead, commonly known in Mexico as El Dia de los Muertos, is an intimate holiday commemorating deceased family and loved ones who have passed on. The holiday combines ancient Aztec rituals with Catholicism brought in during Spanish colonization; celebrations have since become well-known around the world and offer a fascinating look into how Mexicans view mortality.
Mexicans view death differently from western cultures in that it should not be perceived as the end, but as part of an ongoing cycle that will ultimately bring us together again with those we have lost. To prepare for this reunion, families create altars dedicated to deceased relatives’ favorite foods and drinks (known as ofrendas in Mexican) – this serves as an aid for their journey and often includes items like their favorite beer or chocolate bar!
Due to this cyclical approach to life, Day of the Dead should not be seen as morbid or frightening; rather it should be seen as an occasion for remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed on through vibrant celebrations and visits to graveyards. Furthermore, these festivities provide families with an opportunity for healthy mourning as well as remembering them fondly.
Dia de los Muertos stands in stark contrast to Halloween, which has become known for its creepy costumes and trick-or-treating. In 2003, the United Nations designated Dia de los Muertos as an intangible cultural heritage to protect it from outside influences like Halloween; yet even with official protection in place, traditions surrounding celebrating Dia de los Muertos continue to develop across Mexico and Latin America.
Mexico City
Mexico City, one of the world’s most populous cities, stretches over an expanse in a central Mexican plateau at an elevation of 2,240 meters (7,350 feet). Divided into 16 boroughs or demarcaciones territoriales that can further be subdivided into neighborhoods called colonias.
This city was constructed upon the remains of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital city, which used to be an expansive lake and which continues to slowly sink at an average annual rate of 12 cm, giving it the appearance of leaning like Pisa’s Leaning Tower.
Mexico’s vast cultural legacy includes an assortment of cuisines that ranges from traditional Mexican fare to international influences from neighboring nations. There are 67 official languages – Spanish among them – but Mexicans also speak numerous native and regional dialects.
An overwhelming percentage of the city’s inhabitants are indigenous people, while non-indigenous groups also represent a substantial population in its midst. Urbanization dominates; only 43% live rurally. As one of the global centers for business, finance and culture, as well as government administration and education/science research facilities it serves an integral role for its economy and society as whole.
Tourists from across the world visited Mexico City in 2017 – over 11 million to be precise – primarily attracted by its unique architecture and rich history. Furthermore, modern art flourished flourish in this city with numerous painters and sculptors working here, including several working painters/sculptors of note such as Diego Rivera’s muralist movement founded in early 20th century called Taller de la Grafica Popular (Popular Graphics Workshop).