Mexican Culture Essay

Food if unrivalled of the aesthetic identification of culture and tradition as it marks its progress from generation to generation, and level to history. Mexican cooking began with the arrival of humans in Mexico and as unhomogeneous cultures influence their cuisine, the tradition and cultural background of their menu have began to evolve. Mexican regimen, as we know it today, has had its primary origin in the 16th one C from the introduction of European plants and food products by Spanish conquerors. This traditional tack has provided modification in their cuisine, which is currently evident in the Mexican food tradition.Aside from its hand most delicacy and characteristics, Mexican food provides healing(predicate) role and subroutine comm barely in homemade treatment proceedings. The herbs and ingredients in the Mexican food atomic number 18 the key points for the provision of healing(p) action. Mexican herbs are unparalleled in their own way. The characteristic of t hese herbs are the essential add factor for this therapy to be possible. In the course of our discussion, the Mexican culture, evidently in toll of food- wine and restaurants, shall be the primary focus of the study.The involvements of wine and food, in the sense of therapeutic action, as the primary traditional influence shall be elaborated and defined in the study. The influence of food and herbs in Mexican traditional therapy shall be also tackled in the course of discussion. Lastly, we shall explore the San Francisco atomic number 20 verbalise and the Mexican jubilance of Cinco de mayo. The Mexican culture possesses a hereditary pattern in every unique aspect that greatly denounces its aesthetic value. foundation or Traditional Therapies Food and Herbs The Mexican traditions are composed of exquisite herbs and ingredients that provide therapeutic effects.The traditional home of Mexicans possesses no or slight frequently refrigerating facility, supplies designed for cla ssical lifestyle, and tradition rich in practical home-therapies hence, they are more accustomed in their traditional therapeutic intervention utilizing their indwelling sources. In fact, Mexican possesses evident indulgence in their traditions that they prefer to have their food, and new(prenominal) home condiments in natural nation or made from nature-oriented proceeding. This greatly improves their health conditions, and provides them with practical source of therapeutic interventions.The basic feature of Mexican foods is its unique way of expressing its spiciness and traditional aroma. One of the spices that provide therapeutic effects in the body is the Capsaicin, which is a primary constituent of peppers much(prenominal) as the jalapeno and the habanero. Capsaicin has several enforces, including use in personal defense sprays and as to relieve arthritis pain. When first apply to skin, capsaicin causes local heating and irritation. However, after repeated use, the are a becomes desensitized to pain without going away of the sense of touch (Fox & Whitesell, 1997 p.550). Capsaicin pepper has been found to work as an anticoagulant, indeed possibly helping to prevent heart attacks or strokes ca apply by the organic law of clots in blood vessels. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, which is the bodys natural painkillers, and kills the stomach bacterium cognize to cause ulcers. An some some other pepper is the Cayene, which is an in-chief(postnominal) constituent of Mexican hot sauce. Cayene adds the spicy zip to more heathenish foods, such as Thai and Mexican food, and can be utilize in marinades and barbecue sauces.This pepper is rich in vitamin C, A, B-complex, E and other minerals (Balch, p. 147 2003). Another food ingredient of Mexican foods that possesses therapeutic aid is the autumn pumpkin seeds. The seeds from the pumpkin, also known as pepitas, are popular ingredient in Mexican dishes, and are available with or without their shells. This pepitas provide essential federal agency of treating constipation due to its fiber content. Moreover, it is blended with Mexican traditional recipes such as burittos or Nachos, not only to provide exquisite taste perception but also to institute unique flavoring.These pepitas are high in calories and insoluble fibers, which help originally in inducing in digestive tract thereby facilitating decrease of occurrence of constipation (Gilbert, 2000 p. 178). In terms of Mexican wine, it provides unique blends of tradition served in stemmed glasses. Wine is the chronic pair of Mexican foods in order to suit the spiciness of the dishes. Mexican wine classifications possess the usual red and white wine, which are in the main obtained from fruits mixed with spices. The northern end of Baja California is one of the places in Mexico that is known to brew wine at its best (Dumois, n.d). Citizens of Mazahua and Otoml living in important Mexico drink pulque from childhood, because of both its nutritional properties and scarcity of water. Pulque is an alcoholic beverage obtained from maguey, which composes primarily of complex fruit sugars (Peele & Grant, 1999 p. 93). Wine quickens the pulse, raises the spirits, and prophylactic against disease and as a fastetic aid. It is also use as medicine in penetrative and chronic diseases. Wine is proven good for cardiovascular system, especially in reducing risks of arteriosclerosis or other cardiovascular-degenerative disorders.Food & Herbs Mexican Traditions Mexican fodder of today is rich in a variety of foods and dishes that meet a blend of pre-Columbian, Spanish, French, and more recently, American culture. The typical Mexican diet is rich in complex carbohydrates, provided mainly by edible corn and corn products, beans, rice, and breads, The typical Mexican diet contains an adequate amount of protein in the forms of beans, eggs, weight and shellfish, and a variety of meats, including beef, pork, pou ltry, and goat. Because of the extensive use of frying as a cooking method, the Mexican diet is also high in fat.The nutrients roughly likely to be inadequately provided are calcium, iron, vitamin A, folic acid and vitamin C (Spark, 2007 p. 258). In many cultures, food has symbolic meanings related to family traditions, social status, and even health. Indeed, many folk remedies rely on food. Some of these have gained wide acceptance, such as the use of spices and herbal teas for purposes ranging from allaying anxiety to preventing cancer and heart disease. Mexicans use these herbal teas as dietary or reducing drinks to induce raise or hasten metabolism as well as digestive functions.In fact, herbal teas are healthy enough that the old Mexican traditions practice its drinking almost everyday. This tea is composed of basic Mexican herbs, such as cinnamon, parsely, etc. , and blended with intrinsic Mexican spices hence, some of their teas are blended with mild spiciness (Insel etal, 2004 p. 9). The traditional Mexican diet is rich in fresh vegetables, which are generally used only when in season. The spices used in Mexican cooking are prevalent to many cuisines, and yet, there are a number of seasonings that are unique to Mexican food.Chile peppers are used as a ironical spice as well as a fresh ingredient. thither are many types, with the most common being ancho, habenero, jalapeno, New Mexican green, New Mexican Red, poblano and Serrano. These peppers range from mild, like poblano, to the extremely hot habanero. separate herbs and spices that flavor Mexican cuisine are anise, cilantro, cinnamon, clove, cumin, garlic, marjoram, Mexican oregano and thyme. The herbs and spices, curiously the Mexican oregano and chilli peppers, are used in conglomerate ceremonies and traditional jubilancys.The chilli peppers are given to tests the spice tolerance of participants during fiestas. Oregano, on the other hand, is believed by locals to alleviate various diseases and administered via its boiled leaves. Oregano is some other traditional Mexican her that cures fever, cough and colds, sore throat problems and sometimes used to treat bruises, insect bites and mild pruritic or fungal infection when used in topical preparation (Koeller & La France, 2005 p. 222). Another Mexican herb that provides utmost therapeutic effects is Ginger, which is technically a rhizome or underground stem.This is used in variety of meals ranging from simple porridge to complex traditional meal. Mexican spice up is good at alleviating gastrointestinal tract symptoms, such as motion sickness, gastric musculature or tachygastria and gastric immobility. It is ordinarily prescribed by the locals for treating hyperacidity, and abdominal pains related to acidic conditions. Moreover, ginger is also used to treat conditions involving throat spasms by functioning as a throat relaxant and relieving throat irritation (Koeller & La France, 2005 p.222). Mexican culture and tradit ion involves variety of herbs that are, basically, the ingredients of most of their traditional meal such as the ever-famous burritos and nachos, and the wines and teas provide therapeutic benefits as well. San Francisco California Bay The Mexican American cosmos is evidently present in the San Francisco California Bay area. From the San Franciscos Mission District to San Jose, Chicanos possesses the highest state index, ranging from 65% to 80% of the residents, in the San Francisco Bay Area.Mexican immigrants feel at home in these areas already even if they are living with American citizens. However, population project is one major problem occurring at this point. Demographic studies predict that the greatest population growth rates of Mexican immigrants will be from the influx of unregistered individualistics. Mexican immigrants are also expected to have high fetidness rates, creating a younger generation of American-born children whose immigrant parents make an at risk popul ation (Gilbert, 2000 p. 178).Cinco de mayo and Mexican Restaurants Talking now about the famous Mexican restaurants found in the area, Cinco de Mayo Taqueria is the starting point of discussion. The name of Cinco de Mayo meand 5th day of May in Spanish, and denotes a regional celebration or holiday. Although this is not an obligatory holiday, there are lots of individual going and participating in this one time per year celebration. Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, commemorates the Mexican victory over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862.It is not, as many people think, Mexicos freedom Day, which is actually Sept. 16. During this Cinco de Mayo, many people are turning to tequila and cerveza, Spanish for beer, to celebrate some other holiday that for some means nothing more than another excuse to drink exorbitant amounts of alcohol. Commonly misinterpreted as Mexicos liberty Day, Cinco de Mayos meaning has been clouded by partying. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated thro ughout the country, especially in the state of Puebla and in Mexico City. host parades complete with marching bands and traditional music, pay tribute to all the soldiers, civilians and heroes who gave their lives for their country. The celebration lasts all day, with food, dancing, mariachi bands, laughter and fellowship (McClenahan, 2005). Ironically, celebrations of Cinco de Mayo are more widespread and elaborate in the joined States. Mexican American communities in states such as Texas, California, and Arizona celebrate this occasion with parades, fairs, marchias, folkloric dance, and the best of all is the Mexican cuisines (McClenahan, 2005).Moreover, Cinco de Mayo of 1989 illustrates how women worked to bridge heathen and racial groups in a overt way while expressing their own identities. Cinco de Mayo is an ethnic festival, which is the same as St. Patricks Day, that has transcended ethnic barriers. The Mexican community and even other ethnic diversion from different place s and culture fit in this party. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is a major cultural festival, wherever significant poetry of people boast Mexican descent.Throughout the Southwest, people of all ethnicities gather to eat Mexican food and drink Mexican beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages (McClenahan, 2005). People from other ethnic origins join this huge solemnization every year and celebrate the Mexican culture. The basic interest of other ethnic groups in joining this celebration is rarely due to historic reasons, but most of the time, to celebrate the exquisite characteristics and features of Mexican culture.Reference Balch, P. A. (2003). ethical drug for Dietary Wellness. Avery. Dumois, L. (n.d. ). INSIDE MEXICO THE SERIES THE SPIRIT OF WINE.Retrieved November 11, 2007, from http//www. mexconnect. com/mex_/travel/ldumois/ldcwine1. html Fox, M. , & Whitesell, J. K. (1997). entire Chemistry. Jones and bartlett pear Publishers. Gilbert, M. N. (2000). Virtues of Soy A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook. Upublish. com. Insel et. al, P. M. (2004). Nutrition. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Koeller, K. , & La France, R. (2005). Lets Eat Out Your Passport to brio Gluten and Allergy Free. R & R Publishing. McClenahan, B. (2005, May 5).Oregon students celebrate Cinco de Mayo. University Wire, (n. d. ). primordial Mexican Culture. 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