Friday, April 10, 2009

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mexican Culture

By KC Kudra

The Mexicans are very proud of their culture, ethnicity and history and the Mexican culture is a blend of the pre-Hispanic times and colonial era, right up to postcolonial modern day Mexico.

Mexican city life is not all that different from life in Europe or in the United States, although some Mexican villages still have more traditional ways. Most Mexicans live in large cities and there are more Spanish speaking people in Mexico than in any other country. The Mexican government recognizes over sixty other languages as indigenous Mexican languages.

After Brazil, Mexico is the second biggest catholic country in the world. Ninety five percent of Mexicans are catholic and the Spanish colonists introduced the religion.

Mexican Celebrations and Holidays

Every village, city, and town holds a party to honor their patron saint each year on different dates and Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. The people will pray and burn candles during the religious celebrations and they will also use colorful flowers and utensils to decorate their churches. Fireworks, parades, parties, and dance competitions are all common during fiesta time and football, bullfighting and cockfighting events are also held.

No Mexican party is complete without a hanging piata and these paper mache people, animals, or fictional characters contain candy and toys. The kids take it in turns to hit the piata, while wearing blindfolds, and when it breaks and the goodies fall out, the kids share them.

The Most Popular Mexican Cuisine

Mexican food can be described as a perfectly balanced and flavorful blend of European and indigenous foods, including Mayan and Aztec influences. Popular Mexican foods are known all over the world and these include enchiladas, pozole, tamales, mole sauce, and tacos. Unfortunately, more people probably know about Mexican fast food joints rather than authentic Mexican restaurants but nothing beats using authentic Mexican recipes to make your own Mexican food if there is no traditional Mexican restaurant near you.

Chicken, beef, maize, beans, tomatoes, guavas, peanuts, avocados, and potatoes are used in a lot of Mexican recipes. Mescal, beer, fruit juices, tequila, and cinnamon flavored hot chocolate are some of the drinks that Mexicans like. In addition to this, there are some award winning Mexican wineries that make wine and export it to many countries.

Corn is used in many traditional Mexican recipes, as is corn flour. Chili is also widely used in Mexican cuisine. There are Mexican soups, stews and salads as well as the better-known Mexican foods. Mexican desserts are very popular and they combine hot and sweet elements to give interesting flavor and texture sensations in the mouth.

Chili is used to flavor candy sometimes and corn flavor candy is a favorite snack. The sugar skulls made for Da de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, are called Calaveras de Azcar.

Herbs and spices are cleverly combined with fresh produce to make traditional recipes. Quick authentic Mexican recipes are a great idea if you want to make something different for your family and there are certainly plenty to choose from. By enjoying home cooked Mexican cuisine, you will really appreciate why these foods are so well loved around the world.

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