Mexican Delicacies for Something Different!
There is more to Mexican cuisine than meets the eye, and Mexican delicacies deserve more attention than the world has offered to date.
Mexican fare has become a staple in the standard western diet. Tacos, burritos and chilli con carne are welcomed at dinner tables all over the world – as often as roast dinners! But there are some Mexican delicacies that have managed to hide from the spotlight.
Every culture enjoys unique foods that are revered and considered to be something a little more than average. At Aztec Mexican Products and Liquor, we sell our fair share of Mexican delicacies.
But if you’re not sure what they are, here are a few to whet your appetite.
Corn Truffle
Corn truffle is a fungus that grows naturally in the ears of corn. In America, corn truffle is known as “smut” and “devil’s corn”, but in Mexico, it is considered to be a delicacy! Corn truffle is actually the most fascinating of the Mexican delicacies. When corn truffle grows on a corn cob, it changes the nutritional value of the corn itself. Corn truffle actually contains much more protein than regular corn does. The amino acid lysine, which resides in corn, significantly increases in the corn truffle as it grows.
Due to demand, it is now cultivated specifically for consumption, and is added to many Mexican dishes.
Cactus
Cactus, or nopales, are the oval, flat stems of the cactus plant and are eaten as a vegetable. Their nutritional composition is dense and varied. Nopales are loaded with many important nutrients, which become more concentrated as the plant matures. They can be eaten raw or cooked, preserved as an accompaniment to meals, and have also been used in soups, stews and in traditional medicine.
Having been part of the Mexican culture for centuries, the cactus is now increasingly found in homes across the globe. Nopales have a flavour not unlike green beans – light, slightly tart and crisp in texture.
Mole
A generic name used to describe sauces or dips in Mexican cuisine, mole has stories of its origins that are as rich and diverse as the sauces themselves! A number of states claim to be the original creators of mole, and chances are they are all correct in their own way. The very nature of mole – an ancient word for “mix” – means that its beginnings are probably found in a number of regions.
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and mole is the perfect example of that. As a sauce or dip, it doesn’t have any strictly defined ingredients. The general rule, however, is that it contains a fruit, chilli pepper, nuts and spices (such as black pepper, cinnamon and cumin).
Want to check out these Mexican delicacies for yourself? For those who are part of the hospitality, foodservice or retail industries, head to the Fine Food Australia Expo, 10-13 September 2018 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Aztec Mexican Products and Liquor will be there; ready to share all of the Mexican food and beverage treats we have on offer.
If you are a member of the general public, looking to boost the authenticity of your Mexican dishes or dinner parties, you will find these Mexican delicacies, along with a wide range of products, at our online store. Be sure to Like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all the Aztec Mexican news.