Wellness Weekly

What is Mexican Cuisine

Record Editor3 days agoLast Updated: April 10, 2025

2 minutes read

By Sandy Considine

Mexican cuisine is a vibrant and diverse culinary tradition that reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of Mexico. It is known for its bold flavors, use of fresh ingredients, and unique cooking techniques. Mexican cuisine encompasses a wide range of dishes, from street food favorites to elaborate traditional recipes passed down through generations.

Mexican cuisine is defined by its fusion of indigenous Mesoamerican cooking techniques with Spanish, French, and African influences. The use of corn, beans, tomatoes, chili peppers, and various spices like cumin and cilantro form the foundation of many Mexican dishes. Mexican cuisine is often compared to Tex-Mex due to their shared ingredients, such as tortillas and beans. However, Mexican cuisine emphasizes the use of fresh, flavorful ingredients like cilantro and lime, while Tex-Mex relies on heavier use of cheese and ground beef. Mexican cuisine is known for its bold and vibrant flavors. Common flavors include chili peppers in various forms, such as jalapeños or chipotles, along with garlic, onion, cumin, cilantro, and lime. These ingredients contribute to the distinct taste profile of Mexican dishes.

Spices play a crucial role in Mexican cuisine, adding depth and complexity to the dishes. Common spices used in Mexican cooking include cumin, cinnamon, oregano, and chili powder, which give the food its distinctive Mexican flavors.

Salsa is an integral part of Mexican cuisine. Its origins can be traced back to the Aztec civilization, where the combination of chili peppers, tomatoes, and other ingredients formed the basis of what we now know as salsa. Corn, or maize, holds tremendous cultural significance in Mexico. It is a staple ingredient used in a multitude of ways, including tortillas, tamales, tacos. Corn is the very heart of Mexican cuisine.
Enjoy these Mexican recipes, it’s fun to try new foods and especially the ones you make yourself.
Some tips and tidbits:

•Mexican Shortbread in the US is known as Mexican wedding cakes.
•Mexican Rice is mistakenly called Spanish rice, which bears little resemblance to the rice at Mexican tables.
•Chipotle Salsa has a hot, smokey flavor.
•Ranchero Salsa, broiling the tomatoes and chilis imparts a mellow roasted flavor.
•Picante Sauce/Salsa by definition is hot and spicy. The slow simmer allows the flavors to meld and temper the heat.
•Tajin seasoning is a delicious Mexican seasoning. It consists of dried and ground red chilies, salt and dehydrated lime juice. It combines the tastes of salt, sweet, sour and heat for a zing-like effect that punches up raw fruit and vegetables.

Corn tortilla is the staff of life in Mexico. A nutritious, unleavened bread, the corn tortilla is served at meals. In Mexico corn tortillas come in many colors, depending on the type of corn used and range in size from 2 inches to 18 inches in diameter according to how you are using them.