The Maya people of the Yucatan have practiced beekeeping for thousands of years. The ancient Maya considered the bee to be a link to the spirit world, given to them by the bee god, Ah Muzen Cab. The honey was used as a sweetener, an antibiotic, and to make the fermented honey drink called balché, a ritual alcoholic beverage similar to the European mead.

The beverages known in Mexico as aguas frescas are an inspired compliment to the rich melding of chiles, herbs and spices found in Mexican food. They act to counter-balance strong flavors and are always light, never cloying. Aguas frescas function somewhat like sorbets, in that they refresh the palate.

One of the most fascinating aspects of exploring the cuisine of another country is the process of becoming acquianted with the history, customs and traditions that are an intrinsic part of the cultural landscape of cooking and eating...

Independece Day

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Day of the Dead

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on the 2nd of November in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day which take place on those days. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years, and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl.

Revolution Anniversary

In this day all México commemorates the start of the revolution in times of Porfirio Diaz. Traditional dishes like Chiles en Nogada and Mole Poblano raise again to rule almost any mexican table . An unforgetable event if you happen to be in Puebla, with its wonderful parade and unbreakable downtown historic center.

Holy Week

Holy Week is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. It includes the religious holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) and Good Friday, and lasts from Palm Sunday (or in the Eastern, Lazarus Saturday) until but not including Easter Sunday, as Easter Sunday is the first day of the new season of The Great Fifty Days. It commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Guelaguetza

The Guelaguetza, or Los lunes del cerro (Mondays of the Hill) is an annual cultural celebration that is most well known outside the state of Oaxaca and outside Mexico as taking place in the city of Oaxaca, capital of the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. In fact the celebration also takes place in town centers all over the state of Oaxaca at about the same time.