Were you aware that Mexican food is the most popular international cuisine in the United States? For every 10 restaurants, there is at least 1 that sells Mexican food, which definitely underlines how many people enjoy this delicious ethnic cuisine.
Most people that enjoy going out to eat are in search of new culinary experiences, which includes tasting unfamiliar foods with bold flavors. If you’re familiar with Mexican cuisine, you probably dine out at Mexican restaurants often. However, if you’ve noticed signs you have never had real Mexican food, you may be interested to know that it is believed to have originated 2,000 years ago with the Mayan Indians.
If you’re looking for the best Mexican food, you most likely have your favorite dishes. You may, however, not be aware of where these dishes came from, what their names mean, or all of the ingredients that are needed to create them.
If enchiladas are at the top of your list for favorite Mexican foods, you may be interested to know that people in the United States first learned about them in 1885. The word, “enchilada,” actually means, “in chile,” and the Aztecs are believed to be the first people to use tortillas as a wrap.
If you can’t go a day without good salsa, were you aware you’re not alone? It has become the top condiment used throughout the United States. Another popular sauce is mole, which comes from Oaxaca. Whether you like chicken or another type of meat with your mole, such as beef, there are 7 different types of sauces to create the flavor profiles of so many different dishes:
- Negro
- Rojo
- Coloradito
- Amarillo
- Verde
- Chichilo
- Manchamantel
When you go to Mexican restaurants that provide authentic mole, you can ask your server about all of the unique ingredients that create each one of these flavorful sauces. Some, of course, will have bolder flavors while others are more subtle.
If you’re more familiar with Tex-Med, which was invented in the 1940s, you know that this cuisine is a fusion of Mexican and Texan flavors. Black beans, corn, and chilis are common in this cuisine.
When you’re looking for the best Mexican restaurants, you want to find one that services your favorite dishes, complete with authentic flavors.