While it might seem that the customs and traditions of the ancient Mayans are shrouded in mystery, there are parts which remain well-documented, including traditional Mayan food.
Traditional Mayan Food in Cancun
In fact, many of the Mayan food staples upon which they dined are still eaten across Mexico today in various forms. Some recipes have been altered over time while others remain much the same as they have been for hundreds of years!
Take a look below at the foods which were first cultivated and eaten by the Maya in ancient Mexico:
Poc Chuc
Poc Chuc is Mayan food which hails from the Yucatan Peninsula, but which can be found in places across Mexico today, including Cancun. The main ingredient is salty cured pork which is balanced with vinegar, orange juice, cilantro, and sauteed onions for a real taste sensation. The tangy bit of Poc Chuchas made it a favorite far beyond the borders of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Tamales
Tamales are king in Mexico, this much is certain; they are a staples during every holiday and festive season, but remain a day to day treat too. Certainly the Tamale will have evolved since the time of the Maya, but the core of this staple delight remains the same; a hot sweet or savory filling, wrapped in corn masa and covered with banana leaves or corn husks before cooking. Meat, vegetables, and even sweet fruits can be found in tamales, and they are most often slathered with salsa before consumption for a really zingy flavor.
Avocados and Guacamole
The avocado has become a very trendy food in the western world right now, but this savory fruit, sometimes called the alligator pear, has long been a favorite in Mexico; the Maya were immensely fond of all varieties of this fruit and prized them for their smooth texture and clean flavor. The earliest versions of guacamole were prepared by the Mayans using avocados, spicy chilis, lime juice and onions while todays versions might also include tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic. One of our favorite Mayan foods in Cancun.
Chocolate
The Cacao tree is native to the areas of Mexico which were ruled by the Maya, and so it makes perfect sense that the Maya would have been the first to find use for their magical pod fruits. They roasted and ground the seeds to make a hot ritual drink which the Spanish Conquistadors loved so much they brought it back to Europe with them in the 1500s! In Europe it was most commonly mixed with milk and sugar to make what we would now recognize as hot chocolate.
Corn Tortillas
Corn tortillas are made from ground corn masa and are cooked on a traditional comal (wood fired over); they’re thick and slightly rustic, especially when hand-made, but they taste wonderful and they’re very filling! They can be served with meat, vegetables, or even alongside beans and rice. To this day you will find them freshly made in homes across Mexico where they are enjoyed as filled enchiladas or tasty accompaniments to other meals.
Traditional Breakfast
The traditional Mexican breakfast is healthy and balanced, and takes its lead from Mayan traditions. Generally speaking you will see some kind of eggs on a Mexican breakfast table, scrambled or poached most usually, as well as beans on the side, some queso blanco (white cheese) and plenty of hot, fresh tortillas kept warm in a cloth lined basket. The beverage of choice, of course, is hot, freshly-ground coffee using locally grown and roasted beans. Heaven!
So, as you can see, the diet of the ancient Mayans is very much alive and well in Mexico today… why not sample some when you next visit?