Mexican food is a style of food that originated in Mexico. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Mexican cuisine is known for its intense and varied flavors, colorful decoration, and variety of spices.

National cuisine

When Spanish conquistadores, in other words soldiers, arrived in the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (the ancient city on which Mexico City was built), they found that the people's diet consisted largely of corn-based dishes with chilies and herbs, usually complemented with beans and tomatoes. This article is about the Spanish explorer soldiers of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuriesfor other uses see Conquistador (disambiguation A Conquistador A soldier is a general English term that refers to a member of a land component of National Armed forces. Aztec is a term used to refer to certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who achieved political There are some towns in Mexico which are spelled "Tenochtitlán" like San Lorenzo Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica A(n herb (ˈhɝb or /ˈɝb/ see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties flavor scent or the like The conquistadores eventually combined their imported diet of rice, beef, pork, chicken, wine, garlic and onions with the native indigenous foods of pre-Columbian Mexico, including chocolate, maize, tomato, vanilla, avocado, guava, papaya, pineapple, jicama, chile pepper, beans, squash, sweet potato, peanut, fish and turkey. Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many Beef is the Culinary name for Meat from Bovines especially domestic Cattle (cows Pork' is the Culinary name for Meat from the domestic Pig ( Sus scrofa) often specifically the fresh meat but can be used as an all-inclusive The chicken ( Gallus gallus, sometimes G gallus domesticus) is a domesticated Fowl which is traditionally believed to have descended from Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice Allium sativum L, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the Onion family Alliaceae. Organicsalsajpg||thumb|right|Onions used in salsa.]]Cooked onions in frying pan The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences Chocolate ( pronounced or /-ˈələt/ comprises a number of raw and processed foods that are produced from the seed of the tropical Cacao tree Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica The tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum, syn Lycopersicon lycopersicum) is a herbaceous usually sprawling plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family Vanilla is a Flavoring derived from Orchids of the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. The avocado ( Persea americana) (from Nahuatl āhuacatl) also known as aguacate ( Spanish) butter pear or Guava is a Genus of about 100 Species of Tropical Shrubs and small Trees in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. The papaya (from Carib via Spanish) is the Fruit of the Plant Carica papaya, in the genus Carica. Pineapple ( Ananas comosus) is the common name for an edible Tropical Plant and also its Fruit It is native to the southern part of Brazil Jícama (Spanish hee -kah-mah from Nahuatl xicamatl hee -kah-mahtl also Mexican Potato and Mexican Turnip, is the name The chili pepper, chilli pepper, or chili, is the fruit of the plants from the Genus Capsicum, which are members of the nightshade Bean is a common name for large plant Seeds of several genera of the family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae used for human food or animal Squashes generally refer to four species of the genus Cucurbita native to the Mexico and Central America, also called marrows depending The sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas) is a Dicotyledonous plant which belongs to the family Convolvulaceae The peanut, or Groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea) is a species in the Legume family Fabaceae native to South America, Mexico A turkey is either of two extant Species of large Birds in the Genus Meleagris native to North America.

Most of today's Mexican food is based on ancient traditions, such as the Aztecs and Maya, combined with culinary trends introduced by Spanish colonists. Aztec is a term used to refer to certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who achieved political The Maya civilization is a Mesoamerican Civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the Pre-Columbian Americas Quesadillas, for example, are a flour or corn tortilla with cheese (often a Mexican-style soft farmer's cheese such as Queso Fresco or Queso Oaxaca ), beef, chicken, pork, and so on. A quesadilla (IPA, usually anglicized as) is a dish in Mexican cuisine or Tex-Mex, which involves cooking ingredients most importantly Cheese, inside Flour is a powder made of Cereal grains It is the key ingredient of Bread, which is a staple food in many countries and therefore the availability In Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada, a tortilla is a type of thin unleavened Cheese is a Food made from Milk, usually the milk of cows, Buffalo, Goats or sheep, by coagulation. For the Philippine variety see Kesong puti. Queso blanco or queso fresco is a creamy soft and mild unaged white Cheese that Oaxaca Cheese (or Queso Oaxaca) is a white semi-hard Cheese of Mexican origin similar to un-aged Monterey Jack cheese but with a Mozzarella The indigenous part of this and many other traditional foods is the chili pepper. Foods like these tend to be very colorful because of the rich variety of vegetables (among them are the chili peppers, green peppers, chilies, broccoli, cauliflower, and radishes) and meats in Mexican food. "Green pepper" redirects here For green peppercorns see Black pepper. Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. The radish ( Raphanus sativus) is an edible Root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family that was domesticated in Europe in pre- In modern English usage meat most often refers to Animal tissue used as food mostly Skeletal muscle and associated Fat, but it may also refer The French occupation of Mexico influenced Mexican cuisine with baked goods such as sweet breads and the bolillo (pronounced bo-lee-yo), a Mexican take on the French roll. A bolillo is a type of Salty Bread traditionally made in Mexico, El Salvador, Portugal, and Brazil. There is also a minor Asian influence due to the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, which lasted from 1565 to 1815. The Manila galleons or Manila-Acapulco galleons ( Galeones de Manila-Acapulco) were Spanish trading Ships that sailed once or twice Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

There are also more exotic dishes, cooked in the Aztec or Mayan style, with ingredients ranging from iguana to rattlesnake, deer, spider monkey, crickets, ant eggs, and other kinds of insects. Iguana is a Genus of Lizard native to tropical areas of Central and South America and the Caribbean first described by Austrian Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous Snakes, genera Crotalus and Sistrurus. A deer is a Ruminant Mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. Spider monkeys are New World monkeys of the family Atelidae, subfamily Atelinae. Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Ants are social Insects of the family Formicidae and along with the related families of Wasps and Bees belong to the order Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described This is usually known as comida prehispánica (or prehispanic food).

Common dishes found on a national level

Foods that are part of the Mexican culinary tradition include:

• Common appetizers and side dishes found in Mexican cuisine
• Common main course dishes found in Mexican cuisine
• Common drinks found in Mexican cuisine
• Common desserts and sweets found in Mexican cuisine types

Regional cuisine

Mexican food varies by region, because of local climate and geography and ethnic differences among the indigenous inhabitants and because these different populations were influenced by the Spaniards in varying degrees. Below is a list of dishes found in Mexican cuisine Appetizers ( botanas) and side dishes Arroz amarillo Arroz con Below is a list of dishes found in Mexican cuisine Appetizers ( botanas) and side dishes Arroz amarillo Arroz con Below is a list of dishes found in Mexican cuisine Appetizers ( botanas) and side dishes Arroz amarillo Arroz con Below is a list of dishes found in Mexican cuisine Appetizers ( botanas) and side dishes Arroz amarillo Arroz con The north of Mexico is known for its beef, goat and ostrich production and meat dishes, in particular the well-known Arrachera cut. Beef is the Culinary name for Meat from Bovines especially domestic Cattle (cows The domestic goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat Domesticated from the Wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe The Ostrich ( Struthio camelus) is a large Flightless bird native to Africa (and formerly the Middle East) In modern English usage meat most often refers to Animal tissue used as food mostly Skeletal muscle and associated Fat, but it may also refer The flank steak is a Beef Steak cut from the belly muscles of the cow Central Mexico's cuisine is largely made up of influences from the rest of the country, but also has its authentic dishes, such as barbacoa, pozole, menudo and carnitas. Barbacoa generally refers to Meats or a whole Sheep slow cooked over an open fire or more traditionally in a hole dug in the ground covered with Maguey Pozole (from Spanish pozole, from Nahuatl potzolli; variant spellings posole, pozolé, pozolli) is a traditional Carnitas is a type of Braised or Roasted (often after first being Simmered) Pork in Mexican cuisine. Southeastern Mexico, on the other hand, is known for its spicy vegetable and chicken-based dishes. The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however The chicken ( Gallus gallus, sometimes G gallus domesticus) is a domesticated Fowl which is traditionally believed to have descended from Seafood is commonly prepared in the states that border the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, the latter having a famous reputation for its fish dishes a la veracruzana. The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth 's Oceanic divisions The Gulf of Mexico ( Spanish: Golfo de México) is the ninth largest Body of water in the world

In modern times, other cuisines of the world have become very popular in Mexico, thus adopting a Mexican fusion. For example sushi in Mexico is often made with a variety of sauces based on mango or tamarind, and very often served with serrano-chili blended soy sauce, or made with habanero and chipotle peppers. Mangoes belong to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous species of tropical fruiting Trees in the Flowering plant family Anacardiaceae This article refers to the tree For other uses see Tamarindo (disambiguation. The habanero chile ( Capsicum chinense Jacquin (sometimes incorrectly spelled "habañero" is one of the most intensely spicy species of Chili peppers A chipotle (tʃɨˈpoʊtleɪ chee-POTE-lay; Spanish tʃiˈpotle) is a smoke-dried Jalapeño chili used primarily in Mexican, Tacos have also become popular served in very small tortillas, adopting the name of tacos árabes, or arab tacos for their resemblance to dolmas. Dolma ( Greek:ντολμάς is a family of stuffed vegetable dishes in the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire and surrounding regions including Turkey Middle eastern cuisine is also popular due to the large Mexican-Lebanese population living in the country.

Mexican cuisine outside of Mexico

A distinction must be made between truly authentic Mexican food, and "Tex Mex" (Texan-Mexican) cuisine. Mexican cuisine combines with the cuisine of the southwest United States (which itself has a number of Mexican influences) to form Cal-Mex and Tex-Mex cuisine. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Tex-Mex is a term used primarily in Texas and the Southwestern United States to describe a regional American cuisine that blends Food products

While Mexican Restaurants can be found in almost any town throughout the United States, and nearly any cities around the world, few use "authentic" or "traditional" techniques and ingredients. Some states, such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of California and Florida, have high Mexican/Hispanic populations; many authentic Mexican Restaurants can be found in these parts of the country, however, Mexicans who visit restaurants in the US rarely find the true taste or variety of Mexican cuisine. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America.

See also

• Aztec cuisine
• Mexican beer
• Mexican wine