There is a reason why Mexican cuisine is so popular world over – its explosion of taste, flavors, spices and textures makes it a favorite choice for diners worldwide.

Mexican cuisine draws its original roots from the food of Aztecs and Mayas, but once the Spanish conquistadors arrived they have introduced a variety of their own ingredients such as different types of meats (chicken, pork, beef), garlic and wine. When you combine the ingredients introduced by the Spanish with ingredients that were already used in Mexico such as peanuts, chocolate, maize and a plethora of fruits and vegetables such as papaya, avocado, beans, chile peppers you get Mexican cuisine as we know it today.

The most famous ingredient in the Mexican cuisine has go to be the chile pepper but to reduce Mexican cuisine to only one ingredient would not do it justice. The explosion of colors is largely due to the numerous vegetables that are used in great number of dishes, which makes Mexican cuisine rich with vitamins, minerals and proteins.

Not only is the Mexican cuisine highly distinctive and instantly recognizable, it also varies from region to region, so for example in Veracruz the specialty is seafood dishes, while in Southern Mexico you will most commonly find a variety of chicken dishes and plenty of vegetables. In the north dishes most common for the region include beef.

With Mexican restaurants cropping up worldwide and the fact you can buy most of the ingredients in many supermarkets, it is essential to point out that there is the authentic Mexican cuisine and then there is the Tex – Mex style, which should not be mistaken for the real thing. The style of cooking is typical for the southwest part of the United States and even though it draws on many of the Mexican influences has little resemblances to the food one might get from a restaurant or a food stall in Mexico.

For some people who are vacationing in Mexico the mouthwatering dishes are one of the best things about the whole experience. And that’s great if you can take your food spicy. However if you are not used to spicy food, it might be wise to proceed with caution, at least for the first few days, just so that you give your stomach an opportunity to adapt.

The most common ingredients you will need to keep in your pantry to prepare a Mexican feast in your home should include chile peppers whether fresh, in a paste or jarred, some examples would include Jalapeno and Serrano peppers, Chipotle and Ancho. Other products that you should include would be refried beans (a popular side dish) and black beans as well as chicken and beef broth and white rice. Flour and corn tortillas are a given as well as a bunch of spices such as oregano, cumin, thyme, garlic and onion powder as well as fresh cilantro. The fruits and vegetables that you could need and you probably do not buy everyday would be lime, avocado and tomatillos.