What Are The Most Commonly Used Mexican Spices?

By Ken Kudra

Mexican cuisine makes most of us think of assertive spices; mostly chilies and cumin. This combination of spices is one, which is a perfect representative of the country's culinary history; an ingredient, which came from the old world with the Spanish and one, which has been a central part of Mexican food for thousands of years.

Chilies are the Mexican spices with the longest history, having been used by the Aztecs for many centuries before the arrival of Europeans. Like tomatoes and potatoes, peppers are new world natives and remain one of the most important ingredients in Mexican recipes just as they always have been.

You are probably familiar with jalapeno peppers as an ingredient in salsas and (in pickled form) as a condiment and perhaps the smaller, slightly hotter Serrano pepper as well. There are dozens of different chilies, which make a regular appearance in traditional Mexican food; many, perhaps even most Mexican recipes would be nearly unthinkable without these spicy vegetables. Whether fresh, picked as in escabeche or dried and ground, ancho peppers, pasilla peppers and many others are an essential part of creating the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine.

Culantro, Mexican oregano and epazote are three common herbs used in Mexican cooking which are native to the Americas. Culantro is used widely in Central America and the Caribbean, but is largely unknown outside of the region. Like many other Mexican spices, it is easier to find in the US than it once was, but it has a flavor which is similar enough to cilantro that cilantro can safely be substituted if cilantro is unavailable.

Do not let the name fool you - Mexican oregano may taste something like a more assertive version of the familiar Greek oregano, but this herb is actually a close relative of lemon verbena. Its flavor is an important component in a number of Mexican dishes, but you can substitute the old world herb if needed. However, Mexican oregano is becoming easier to find. You can usually purchase this herb from specialty spice shops as well as Mexican groceries. It is usually used dried, just like Greek oregano.

Epazote, however, has no real substitute. It tastes a little like tarragon, but its flavor is uniquely its own. This herb is commonly used when cooking Mexican bean recipes, especially black beans. However, you can safely omit this herb in your Mexican recipes if it is not available. Look for epazote in the produce aisle of Mexican groceries; if you cannot find fresh epazote, you may be able to find it dried in the spice section.

Cumin is a spice, which is strongly associated with Mexican cooking, just as it is with Greek, Turkish and other cuisines of the Mediterranean. It was the Spanish who introduced this spice to Mexico, where it quickly became a favorite and is now part of many Mexican dishes.

Mexican food is really one of the first examples of successful fusion cuisine in the world. The culinary tradition of Mexico is a blend of flavors, ingredients, and cooking methods from the new and old worlds, with foods and spices native to both the Americas and Europe. It has been a very successful pairing and Mexican spices new and old have made this country's cuisine a favorite all over the world. - 30313

About the Author:

Facts About Internet Cash Transfer to Mexico: Instructions When Using a Preloaded Debit Card

By Mia Bennet

Should the need ever arise; there are multiple ways to transfer cash to Mexico, each with its own set of standards that governs how the money is sent. Service cost, safety and security levels as well as the amount of time it takes for funds to be transferred and received can change.

On occasion however, time becomes a imperative matter, needing the funds to arrive in a rather rushed time frame. When a crisis arises and time becomes the utmost important feature in finishing a wire money transfer, it is very important to know what options might work best for you and your situation.

The most essential thing to remember in a hurried situation of this kind is that there is no need for alarm or fear. There are several methods available to you that will get the job done quickly and easily.

If you are in an opposite differing, where time is not a issue, preparing before the need arises, is always a great idea. For example, if you have a son or daughter that will be spending the summer in Mexico, it would be a great idea to have framework in place so that a money transfer can be made with quite short notice, if at all essential.

The debit card is a terrific option for this kind of situation or for this kind of traveler. For several, you can trust the receiver enough to have a non-denominational card assigned to their name, which is then associated to your savings or checking account.

As long as they have the card in their possession and the corresponding PIN number, they will be able to access the funds through any ATM machine, as often as needed. If you choose the later of the two formerly discussed options, remember that the cardholder will have access to your account at all times (and they may not wait for an event that you would consider a crisis situation, to access funds).

The reality is that in many instances, we in fact, do not want the card recipient to have complete and unmonitored access to the funds in our account(s). Because of this fact, a preloaded debit card is the ideal solution.

A preloaded debit card is a card is just like any other typical ATM card except for the fact that it is preloaded with a specific amount of funds, thus, holding a definite limit. Once all the money has used, the cardholder no longer has access to any more funds, unless the sender refills the prepaid debit card with more money.

With whatever option that you choose, opening an account with a bank that has offices both in Mexico and in the US will help to make a transfer between accounts easy. Taking a safeguard of this kind, along with everything else previously mentioned, will guarantee a secure and timely transaction. - 30313

About the Author:

Guadalajara Vacation Rental Tips

By Angela Suarez

Whether you are in town for a vacation or a business trip, there are plenty of Guadalajara vacation rentals such as condominiums, apartments and even single rooms to choose from.

Guadalajara is a wonderful city with a proud culture, lovely architecture, great food, lots of shopping spots and fun attractions.

Finding a good rental all depends on you and what your personal tastes are. The whole vacation rental experience can actually be quite fun!

You will have more opportunities to live like real Mexicans do, shop for your groceries and perhaps get to know some of your local neighbors and neighborhood.

To find your rental you will need to ask yourself what kind of accommodations you would like such as:

Do you want wireless access?

Do you need it to have all furnishings, couch, bed, dishes, etc.

Does its location matter?

Do you need the kitchen fully stocked? (Fridge, micro, stove, dishes, etc)

Would you prefer a luxury rental?

Many Guadalajara vacation rental owners try their best to make sure you are comfortable and will want to come back! It is important to realize, however, that you might also pay extra for comfort and these "little perks," such as wireless access.

There are also single room rentals if you are trying to save money. These rooms are usually equipped with a bed, television and maybe a bathroom. You might also have to share the home with other people, so keep that in mind.

There are actually some very fair deals and bare minimum rental homes but just remember that if it is fairly inexpensive it might mean you will lack certain perks such as a washer/dryer, it might not be centrally located, may not have a water cooler ( remember that it is not advised to drink tap water in Mexico).

Many Guadalajara vacation rentals might not have air conditioning. Many of the people who live there are quite used to it and feel find without a/c. The weather is very comfortable and usually pleasant all year round.

If you think that this will be a problem then you will need to make some adjustments when searching.

It is also extremely important to always have a way to reach the owner of your rental. You never know when a pipe might bust!

Always ask questions if you are not sure what your rental comes with! You will eliminate unwanted surprises and have a great, carefree vacation this way. - 30313

About the Author:

Gringo Guide to Speaking Spanish - Instantly Know What To Say!

By Dr Jay Polmar

My Story: I had a challenge. I needed to move to Mexico for my health and to retire, and I spoke English; I also knew a few words of French from high school, about 12 words of Spanish which could wind me up in fight or jail, yeah - mostly curse words.

Luckily, I met Reuben Varela, a well known Restauranteur at the Balneario Hot Springs in San Juan Cosala, Jalisco, Mexico and Gerardo Tolentino, an English teacher who was teaching 1st year English.

Reuben pushed me to find ways of studying and practicing Spanish, and Gerardo help me create the Gringo Guide. I was the gringo -- and I definitely had to have a guide to get me through the experience of living here in Mexico.

We searched the internet, and books on Spanish, and listened to conversations in the English speaking sections of restaurants in Ajijic and San Miguel de Allende where most of the gringos hang out.

We talked to Americans and Canadians in Mexico and asked them what they needed, and we listened to what they asked of the waiters, restaurant owners, etc. Later, then Gerardo accompanied me to doctors and we went to travel through Mexico.

Now, you can speak like native in Spanish speaking countries/Mexico. It's that easy.

Now, everyone I know who visits Mexico, Spanish or anywhere else in Latin America - can speak like a expat that lives in Mexico. It's that easy. The audios cover every unique sound of Spanish speech. The printed book will fit in your shirt pocket for use whenever you want.

The audios cover every pecularity of pronounciation in the Spanish language. The printed book will fit in your shirt pocket for use whenever you want. The electronic pdf will fit on pocket devices to help you communicate on the spot with electronic support.

So, when someone says: Que quieres tomar? You'll immediately know the answer -- una marguarita, por favor. Or, una coca, limonada, cerveza, or whatever you want!Fulfill all your needs to communicate in Spanish for Spain, Mexico or Latin America?

The book comes with a full guide, by sections to learn, use, and get answers to all your questions. It's guaranteed to make your vacation -- fantastic. - 30313

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here