Mexico is known for the wide varieties of culture that it has. Every state holds something unique to its culture; you get the chance to taste and try many different things while in Mexico. Today we are going to be talking about Oaxaca; Oaxaca is a beautiful state, filled with culture and so much energy, but what Oaxaca is known for is the taste in food, and the beautiful things it has.
Both Oaxaca and Michoacán inspired Pixar Inc. to create the movie “Coco”, through the alebrijes and the culture. Alebrijes, is something so unique to Oaxaca, they are spirit animals that guide and protect you. Everyone has a unique animal, that fits into your personality accordingly. They are known for the vibrant colors, and weird shapes. For an example, a dog could have horns and wings, but there’s a reason to why they are like that. Families combine their animals together, for instance, the mom could have a cat as her spiritual animal and her kid could have a bird as their spirit animal. You combine both of the animals together, to symbolize the family. The bright colors are also something that Mexico is known for, however the dyes that you see are all natural and are made by plants. It’s a lengthy process to extract the color, but they are permanent on anything you put it on. To get the color red and pink, you would have to collect these little bugs that live on nopales (prickly pear cactus) that are called “cochineal”. You crush them and add water, and they give you a bright red or pink color. That’s just an example of a way you can get that color.
One thing, Oaxaca is well-known for is the mezcal. The way mezcal is made is a very long and timely process. Mezcal and tequila are both made from agave, which is plant that originated in Mexico. Not all agave is fit to be turned into mezcal, there has to be some certain types that could make it right. However, the way they are planted and they way they are maintained is super important in making it. That type of agave too is only ripe for three days, which then after those three days, it rots. After that, agave is cut down and then cooked in wood, which helps get the most flavor out, it’s cooked for a couple days and after that it’s transferred into a barrel where it will sit for weeks, where the sugar will come out and turn into alcohol. It’s a long and timely process, but in the end it’s something people enjoy and get the chance to taste Oaxaca.
Food is very important, no matter where you go you have to eat something. Mexico in general is known for the bold flavors and spices that are used in food. Every state has something that is important to where it’s from. Oaxaca is known for mole (moh-lay) which is a type of sauce that has chiles, tomatillos, sweet dried fruits or sugar, spices, and thickeners (bread, nuts, or seeds). This sauce is delicious, and it usually put on chicken or rabbit. There are so many different types of mole, which all have a different taste, but are still the same sauce. Mole is usually accompanied with rice and beans, which typically in Southern Mexico is white rice and black beans. Mole too could be an all day meal, you can have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The nature is Oaxaca is extraordinary, there are many things in Oaxaca that aren’t seen anywhere else. The widest tree in the world, stands in El Tule, Oaxaca. This tree is so wide that it needs up to 50 people to wrap around it. It’s 2000 years old, and weighs up to 1.2 million pounds, it’s a huge tree. Something that is also unique to this state is the petrified waterfall “Hierve el Agua”. They are forced as a result of the mineral-rich spring water trickling down the cliff face from above. In Hierve el Agua is home to the only petrified waterfalls in the world.
Oxaca is beautiful, filled with so many things, that are special to Mexico. I went to Oaxaca in July, and had an amazing time learning about different things, if you are ever wanting to go to a place to learn and see the culture, Oaxaca is the place to go.
