English IV
Culinary
mix
Introduction to Indigenous
Food in Mexico:
Food is an element of identity for Mexico’s
indigenous communities.
During the colonial period, the
introduction of wheat made corn a symbol
of indigenous identity.
Corn as a symbol of
identity
During colonial times, corn became even
more significant as a marker of
indigenous identity, while foods like
wheat bread were adopted by those
seeking to integrate into mestizo society.
Social Classes in Colonial Mexico
Social stratification during the colonial
period divided society based on the mix of
indigenous, Spanish, or African blood.
Changing eating habits, like consuming
bread and wine, could help indigenous
people be perceived as mestizos.
Origins of Mexican
Cuisine:
Mexican food today comes from the mix
of native and Spanish ingredients.
Native foods like corn, beans, and chili
peppers were combined with European
foods like pork, wheat, and spices,
creating what we now know as Mexican
cuisine.
Medieval Spanish Cuisine
and Its Influence:
Spanish cuisine in the colonial period was
influenced by its medieval and Roman
roots, with a love for spices. Arab
contributions, such as eggplants, oranges,
and spices, also played a role in enriching
Mexican cuisine.
American Foods that Transformed
the World
The exchange of food went both ways.
Foods like corn, chocolate, squash, and
tomatoes from the Americas spread to
Europe and other parts of the world, where
they transformed cooking. At first, some
foods like tomatoes were not accepted but
later became popular.
Cooking on a pan
This was an integral part in this period, it
helped to combine Mexican culture and
Spanish culture.
Mole and adobo are examples of cooking
with this technique.
Food and Cultural
Identity in Modern Mexico
Today, food is still a big part of what it
means to be Mexican. For example,
eating chili peppers is seen as a sign of
being truly Mexican. Mexican food
reflects the country’s long history of
blending cultures, and it remains a key
part of its identity.
The most important information
When Cristobal Colon came to America, he made four trips in his boats,
arriving in different parts of America
On his first trip he arrived in Guanahani in the Bahamas, on his second trip he
arrived in Cuba and also part of Jamaica, on the third trip he arrived at the
Orinoco River which is located between Venezuela and part of Colombia
and on his last trip he explored the coasts of Central America discovering
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
Thank you
for your attention
