Mexican Gastronomy World Heritage
A cultural manifestation full of life, magic, history, and syncretism
There are only four gastronomies in the world that have been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Mexican cuisine is not only one of them, but it was the first to achieve this distinction from Unesco. Its colors, flavors and textures are part of a millenary history in which cuisine is an element of identity. The international recognition was given in 2010, despite the fact that only 20 years ago schools began to operate in the country.
Mexico is one of the world’s most diverse countries and each of its 32 states has unique soil, climate, nature, wildlife, and history, which results in singular identities and culinary elements and techniques.
"Mexican cuisine was the first in the world to be recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Its colors, flavors and textures are part of a millenary history in which cuisine is an element of identity.."
While there are countless reasons to travel to Mexico, the food alone makes it worth the trip. From tacos al pastor on a busy street corner to a fancy dinner in a world-famous restaurant, the culinary options are endless.
To say that food is a big deal in Mexican culture is a vast understatement. The country’s cuisine is a vital part of our culture and is a point of pride for the Mexican people. Eating is one of the best things to do in Mexico!
Mexico’s traditional cuisine is a complete cultural model that integrates agricultural activities, ritual practices, techniques, ancient customs, and an enormous variety of ethnic food products. Our early gastronomy is based on a one-of-a-kind rotating cultivation system called “milpa”, where maize is the main crop, combined with elements that include different varieties of beans, peppers, tomatoes, and squash. Other native products, such as avocado, cacao, vanilla, spices, herbs, and flowers are added. Another essential component is nixtamalization, a proceeding where maize is cooked with food-grade lime, improving its taste, digestibility, and nutritional properties. From pre-Columbian Mexico, we inherited tools like the clay griddle, the metate, and the molcajete, as well as beverages and dishes, such as pulque and tejate, tamales and pozole, with all their variations and interpretations across the length and breadth of the country.
"Mexico’s traditional cuisine is a complete cultural model that integrates agricultural activities, ritual practices, techniques, ancient customs, and an enormous variety of ethnic food products."
The pre-Hispanic cooking techniques and ingredients blended with products and methods from Europe. This cultural encounter resulted in the masterwork of Mexican cuisine, mole, a sauce comprised of up to 34 ingredients, which include peppers, spices, fruits, and chocolate that involves a preparation process that can take weeks. The cultural fusion brought surprising creations, such as chiles en nogada, bacalao a la vizcaína, and cochinita pibil.
On the other side, our restaurants have earned their place among those considered the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023. Three restaurants in Mexico City were placed in the top fifty: Quintonil Pujol was placed 9th, Pujol in 13th and Rosetta in 49th.
The same organization proclaimed Mexico's Elena Reygadas, owner of the Rosetta restaurant, as the best chef in the world 2023.
They have to thank signature dishes that respect mexican ingredients without forgoing creativity. The result is a triumph upon the palate.
"Our restaurants have earned their place among those considered the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023."
Today, Mexico is a seedbed of great chefs and cooks, who have also taken into their hands the research and preservation of our culinary traditions, keeping them alive and in constant evolution. Contemporary Mexican Cuisine is diverse, sophisticated, and open to reinvention, reinterpretation, and incorporating new elements from other parts of the world. Our food is one of the best reasons to visit and travel around our country.
With our knowledge, we are happy to propose tailor-made itineraries according to the specific needs of each of our clients.
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Sources: https://www.newluxury.mx/en/mexican-gastronomy-world-heritage/#:~:text=In%202010%2C%20Mexican%20cuisine%20was,French%2C%20Mediterranean%2C%20and%20Japanese./ https://www.goatsontheroad.com/food-in-mexico/
https://elpais.com/gastronomia/2023-06-27/como-ha-conquistado-la-cocina-mexicana-la-alta-gastronomia-mundial.html / https://elpais.com/gastronomia/2023-04-19/un-paseo-con-elena-reygadas-de-las-huertas-flotantes-a-su-restaurante-rosetta.html
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Published by DMS Mexico 2023