10 Spicy Mexican Food Dishes You Need To Know Now
Mexico is a land of incredible riches, from the ancient ruins of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations to colonial architecture and vibrant festivals like Día
Stereotypes about cultures, people, and countries are not something new. They often stem from historical misconceptions, media portrayals, and limited cultural exposure. When such factors are combined, people tend to make general assumptions, which turn into stereotypes.
Mexican stereotypes are no different, as there are scores of stereotypes about Mexicans.
And when it comes to Mexican stereotypes, many of these stereotypes have their roots in outdated or exaggerated depictions in films and television shows.
There’s even a Mexican Filter and memes (one below) related to it because it has a history in American movies. However, the stories and even sepia colors are different if you watch the best Mexican movies by Mexican directors.
The story doesn’t end here. Many other Mexican stereotypes still exist, and we need to talk about them.
Picture this: You’re strolling through Mexico City and expect to see sombreros and ponchos as far as you can see. Instead, you see people wearing every kind of dress without any assumed compulsion to wear Sombreros. Surprise! Mexicans don’t spend their days cosplaying as extras.
Although, you might spot the occasional sombrero at a tourist hotspot or during a traditional celebration. But in everyday life? Mexicans wear the latest streetwear or business attire, just like every other country. The idea that every Mexican walks around in ponchos and sombreros is like thinking that all Americans wear cowboy boots to work.
So, leave your sombrero at home next time you pack for a Mexico trip. Unless you want to give the locals a good laugh. This remains one of the top common stereotypes about Mexico, and it’s unseriously funny.
Ah yes, the great Mexican food pyramid: tacos at the base, more tacos in the middle, and a sprinkle of extra tacos on top. If you believe this Mexican stereotype, you’d think Mexicans were born with a taco in hand and spend their lives eating tortilla-filling salsa infinitely.
Sure, tacos are delicious and a beloved part of spicy Mexican food (here, you can link to a Spicy Mexican food post). But assuming that Mexicans only eat tacos is like assuming the Dutch float down canals in wooden shoes while munching on the wheels of Gouda. It’s a cheesy assumption that doesn’t spice the salsa.
In reality, Mexican cuisine is incredibly diverse, ranging from moles to stews, seafood dishes, and, yes, the occasional taco. So, while you might catch a Mexican enjoying a taco, they will also enjoy the smash burger. After all, the variety of Mexican food negates Mexican food stereotypes.
If you believe everything you see in movies, you might think every Mexican has a cartel or a trusty henchman. According to Hollywood, Mexico is just one big action movie set where people dramatically remove sunglasses and engage in high-speed chases 24/7.
Mexicans are just regular folks trying to live their best lives. They’re teachers, doctors, artists, and entrepreneurs. The most dangerous thing many Mexicans deal with daily is rush hour traffic or perhaps a particularly spicy salsa.
Sure, Mexico has its share of crime, and yet millions of tourists visit Mexico each year. But assuming an entire nation is drug-dealing gangsters is like assuming all Italians are in the mafia. It’s one of the stereotypes about Mexicans, which is fueled by over-the-top movie plots.
I think movies from Latin America, like Colombian movies, Brazilian movies, and Argentinian movies, also flame this sentiment. I recently interviewed Colombian artist Andrés Ribón, who also rebuffed the tag of drug lord using art.
However, the trend is changing as directors from Latin America are now making movies on the suffering and resilience of people affected by drug trafficking.
If you believe popular Mexican stereotypes, you might think every Mexican dish has a warning label of sizzling hot spicy food. The stereotype paints Mexican cuisine as even if you try a simple taco, it might be hot enough to make you see through time.
The truth is, while Mexicans do love chiles, not everything is extra spicy. Mexican cuisine is all about balance and complex flavours. Although you can find spicy dishes that’ll make you sizzle, you will find many subtle meals that won’t send you running for the nearest glass of milk.
So before you start training your taste buds with a hot sauce, remember: Mexican food is diverse. From mild to wild, there’s something for everyone. And, if you do want that extra kick, there’s usually a bottle of hot sauce, or you can ask your Mexican chef.
There’s also an outdated Mexican stereotype about a Mexican woman. It goes like that Mexican women’s lives revolve around tortillas and telenovelas. The media has reheated this image for years, suggesting that Mexican women’s careers begin and end at their front door.
But the reality is different. While the family is important in Mexican culture, the notion that all Mexican women are housewives is as stale as week-old bolillos.
In truth, Mexican women work in every professional field imaginable. They’re entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, and political leaders. They run boardrooms, laboratories, and even a country! Yes, Claudia Sheinbaum will be the first female Mexican president in 2024!
So, the next time you meet a Mexican woman, don’t assume her aspiration is perfecting a mole recipe. She might be the genius behind shaping national policy. And, if you need to look in the past for inspiration, you can check famous Mexican people. (you can link the recent post here).
If you believe the hype, you’d think Mexicans have tequila running through their veins instead of blood. As one of the popular Mexican stereotypes goes, every Mexican starts their day with a tequila and ends it with a tequila.
In reality, tequila is a proud Mexican product, producing the best tequila in Mexico. But drinking-wise, it’s not the be-all and end-all of Mexican drinking culture. Shocking, I know! Many Mexicans enjoy beverages from horchata to micheladas and even plain old water.
So before you start practising your tequila shot technique for your trip to Mexico, remember not every social interaction comes with a complimentary shot glass. You’re just as likely to be offered a cup of café de olla or a refreshing agua fresca. But if you are at a tequila tasting, just enjoy the moment.
One of the common stereotypes about Mexican is showing Mexican men as having moustaches and wearing partially unbuttoned shirts. This image, often perpetuated by media and pop culture, oversimplifies the diverse appearances of Mexican men.
In reality, Mexican men’s grooming and fashion choices vary, just as in any other country. While moustaches are popular among some Mexican men, many others prefer to be clean-shaven or sport different facial hair styles.
Similarly, clothing choices vary depending on personal preference, profession, and occasion.
This Mexican stereotype, like many others, fails to capture Mexico’s diversity. It’s important to recognize that Mexicans wear dresses according to their taste, regional customs, professional environments, and current fashion trends, unlike stereotypical Mexican assumptions.
The notion that all Mexicans have mixed Indigenous and European ancestry is one of the common Mexican stereotypes that oversimplifies Mexico’s rich ethnic diversity. While most of the Mexican population identifies as Mestizo, this is far from the country’s demographic makeup.
Mexico is home to different ethnic groups, including numerous Indigenous communities that have maintained their distinct cultures, languages, and traditions for centuries. Additionally, there are significant populations of European descent and Afro-Mexicans whose ancestors arrived during the colonial period.
Ethnic diversity is one reason behind Mexico’s cultural richness and historical narrative. It is important to negate the Mexican stereotype that Mexican identity is monolithic.
It is pretty evident from our conversation that Mexican stereotypes stem from outside Mexico. After all, it is the people who haven’t visited the country tend to assume worse about the country.
But people who learn Spanish and eventually speak the language know how different the country is from absurd stereotypes about Mexicans. Similarly, people who know the country through Mexican books have entirely different opinions than those with typical stereotypes of Mexicans.
At the end of the day, it’s all about perception. Perceptions change only when we try to understand a country through its art, books, movies, and history.
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