For many Americans, the Cinco de Mayo holiday is an excuse to party and eat lots of tacos and nachos. But those of the Mexicano heritage know the true significance of the holiday and celebrate in much more significant ways.
For many Americans, the Cinco de Mayo holiday is an excuse to party and eat lots of tacos and nachos. For some, especially the college-age crowd, it’s a reason to enjoy copious amounts of margaritas and Dos Equis.
But those of the Mexicano heritage know the true significance of the holiday and celebrate in much more significant ways. In addition of course to the great cuisine enjoyed in celebration of the day. The traditional foods far exceed the taco you likely had during last year’s festivities. But we’ll dive into that a bit later.
Cinco de Mayo: More Than Just Margaritas and Tapas
The holiday known as Cinco de Mayo is a way to honor Mexico’s unexpected victory over the country of France in the battle known as the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862.
In 1861, Mexico’s president at the time, Benito Juárez, suspended the country’s payments on foreign debts, prompting Napoleon III of France to send troops to invade. The resulting conflict between the two nations began and eventually led to the Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces achieved a temporary victory. However, France occupied Mexico after the battle, and Maximilian I was installed as the country’s emperor. It was not until 1867 that the Mexican Republic finally expelled the French, executed Maximilian I, and regained control of their country.
Cinco de Mayo: When and Where It’s Celebrated
Cinco de Mayo literally translates to “Fifth of May” in the Spanish language, and it is the day when this holiday is celebrated each year by the Mexican people. The holiday is celebrated by more Mexican Americans, who live north of the United States border, than anyone else.
Though the holiday is also honored in Puebla, the town where this special day originated.
Cinco de Mayo: Is It Mexico’s Independence Day?
No. Many Americans not of Mexican heritage often confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexico’s Independence Day. But Mexico actually celebrates its independence on September 16th each year. Back in the year 1810, a priest by the name of Miguel Hidalgo urged the Mexican people to rise up against Spanish colonial rule, sparking the War for Independence that ultimately concluded with Mexico’s victory in 1821.
Cinco de Mayo: How It Came To Be Celebrated In America
According to Jessica Lavariega Monforti, Vice provost at California State University, Channel Islands, states that since its inception in 1863, Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated annually in California. During its first year, Mexican and American communities in the state united to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla and used the occasion to raise funds and recruit soldiers to support the ongoing fight led by Juárez against the French.
According to Dr. Lavariega Monforti, the early Cinco de Mayo celebrations primarily centered around the fight for democracy and freedom against white supremacists and other oppressors, both in Mexico and in Civil War-era California. During this time, Latinos in California mostly supported the Union over the Confederacy. Despite these challenges, Mexican-Americans continued to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the United States, with exiles of the dictator Porfirio Díaz playing a significant role in its continuation.
Over time, Cinco de Mayo evolved into a festival celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans throughout the country, coinciding with the Mexican-American civil rights movement that emerged in the 1940s. As a result, many activists began to embrace Cinco de Mayo as a source of pride and a means of highlighting Mexican culture and heritage.
However, as time passed, the original message of cultural pride associated with Cinco de Mayo appeared to fade away. According to Mr. Pilcher, Cinco de Mayo gained momentum in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s when brewing companies began to leverage the holiday to appeal to consumers, capitalizing on the increasing popularity of Mexican cuisine.
Dr. Lavariega Monforti explained, “By the 1990s, the public perception of the holiday had shifted, with the focus now being on the consumption of imported beer, tequila, and Mexican food.”
Cinco de Mayo: How It’s Celebrated Today
The state of Puebla in Mexico observes the festivity with historical re-enactments, parades, mariachi music, colorful costumes, and fireworks, but May 5 is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks, and stores remain open. In the United States, celebrations are more apparent, particularly in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, where events dedicated to Puebla’s dance, literature, and food are held. Mexican folkloric troupes in New York City are also utilizing Cinco de Mayo to highlight the historic events and culture of the Puebla region. According to Dr. Lavariega Monforti, these efforts appear to be a direct response to the consumerism and commercialization of Latino culture that surrounds Cinco de Mayo in the United States.
It is customary for U.S. presidents to recognize the occasion, and President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden on Thursday. The event will also be attended by Beatriz Gutierrez Muller, the first lady of Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo: What To Eat In Honor Of The Holiday
As I mentioned in the beginning, Americans often use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to enjoy plenty of tacos and margaritas, but the honest truth is that there is no one food truly associated with the Mexican holiday.
For a Cinco de Mayo-inspired feast, Pedro Reyes, a Mexican food writer, and creative director at Paladar recommended mole poblano, a chocolate-infused version of mole that originated in Puebla. He suggested pairing this dish with chalupas, small fried tortillas with a variety of fillings, white rice, nopales salad, fried beans, and molotes de plátano, which are stuffed plantain patties. To accompany the meal, beverages such as beer and tequila could be served, along with agua fresca, a refreshing fruit drink in flavors such as hibiscus, horchata, and tamarind. Pulque, a fermented alcoholic drink, is also a potential beverage option.
So if you don’t fancy celebrating this beautifully, culturally proud holiday, that is fine. Just keep your peas and mashed potatoes away from my guacamole!
Remember to enjoy your holiday responsibly, and don’t drink and drive!
Cinco de Mayo: Margaritas and Guacamole
When the fifth of May rolls around each year, I am eager to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with my family and friends. I eat tacos often, so in honor of this holiday, I like to enjoy more authentic Mexican cuisine. But even a good chalupa can be complemented with a hefty side of guacamole, and I do love guacamole.
The origins of guacamole date back to the Aztec empire back during the 16th century. The Aztec people loved guacamole, or ahuaca-mulli, translating to “avocado sauce,” and they consumed it believing it was a natural aphrodisiac.
Read More: The World Loves Guac. 9 Culturally Different Ways To Enjoy This Popular Dip
Modern guacamole isn’t much different from what the people of the Aztec empire enjoyed.
Avocado is always the main star in a bowl of guac, but a few other ingredients bring important flavor profiles to the mix. Cilantro is a key ingredient in guacamole, as is tomato, onion, some salt, and a little lime juice. If you like adding spicy kicks to your meals, then you can add a bit of jalapeno to the bowl.
Making guacamole from scratch is easy, even for those who never cook. But you still have to prep all the ingredients. Slicing and dicing and mashing everything into the perfect bowl of green goodness.
To make things a little bit easier and amazingly flavorful, I turn to guacamole blends from Spice Station Silver Lake. Their guacamole blends contain the perfect combination of beautifully aromatic spices that will level up your Cinco de Mayo festivities. I made my now famous guacamole with their Mexican Guacamole blend last year, and now, as we approach the month of May, my friends are already begging me to make this guacamole again this year!
Below I’ve included an easy recipe and instructions on how to make my famous Mexican guacamole. I hope you enjoy!
Homemade Guacamole Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 1-hour
Serves: 4
Calories: 167 cal
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted
- ¼ yellow onion, diced small
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1-2 Roma tomatoes, diced small
- 1-2 teaspoons of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons Mexican Guacamole blend
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Cut the avocado in half lengthwise, remove the stone from the center of the fruit. Using a large spoon, scoop out avocado meat into a mixing bowl.
- Using a Mashing utensil or potato masher to mash the avocado until it reaches your desired consistency. If you don’t own a Mashing utensil, you can use a fork to get the job done.
- Add the diced yellow onion, tomatoes, and cilantro into the mixing bowl and combine well.
- Sprinkle in the Mexican guacamole spice blend and mix well.
- Add lime juice and salt to taste.
Chefs Notes: Keeping Your Guac Green
Every year, I have a least one person ask me how I prevent my guacamole from turning brown. I happen to have a few secrets that help keep the beautiful green color going. The fact is guacamole turns brown when it comes in contact with oxygen. So the goal is to keep the oxygen away from the guac. The simplest method involves simply placing your dip into an air tight container. Another method for keeping the guac green is to pour a thin, visible layer of lime juice on top of the prepared guacamole to form a barrier between the air and the dip. But if you have plans for your limes you can use plastic wrap instead. Just make sure to push the cellophane down so it becomes flush with the guacamole. This will prevent air pockets.
Whatever you do, make sure you consume all of your guacamole in a timely fashion, or it will turn brown before you can toss the avocado pits.
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Cinco de Mayo and the Margarita: Mexico’s Innovation Embraced in American Celebrations
For many Americans, the Cinco de Mayo holiday is an excuse to party and eat lots of tacos and nachos. For some, especially the college-age crowd, it’s a reason to enjoy copious amounts of margaritas and Dos Equis.
But those of the Mexicano heritage know the true significance of the holiday and celebrate in much more significant ways. In addition of course to the great cuisine enjoyed in celebration of the day. The traditional foods far exceed the taco you likely had during last year’s festivities. But we’ll dive into that a bit later.
Cinco de Mayo: More Than Just Margaritas and Tapas
The holiday known as Cinco de Mayo is a way to honor Mexico’s unexpected victory over the country of France in the battle known as the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862.
In 1861, Mexico’s president at the time, Benito Juárez, suspended the country’s payments on foreign debts, prompting Napoleon III of France to send troops to invade. The resulting conflict between the two nations began and eventually led to the Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces achieved a temporary victory. However, France occupied Mexico after the battle, and Maximilian I was installed as the country’s emperor. It was not until 1867 that the Mexican Republic finally expelled the French, executed Maximilian I, and regained control of their country.
Cinco de Mayo: When and Where It’s Celebrated
Cinco de Mayo literally translates to “Fifth of May” in the Spanish language, and it is the day when this holiday is celebrated each year by the Mexican people. The holiday is celebrated by more Mexican Americans, who live north of the United States border, than anyone else.
Though the holiday is also honored in Puebla, the town where this special day originated.
Cinco de Mayo: Is It Mexico’s Independence Day?
No. Many Americans not of Mexican heritage often confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexico’s Independence Day. But Mexico actually celebrates its independence on September 16th each year. Back in the year 1810, a priest by the name of Miguel Hidalgo urged the Mexican people to rise up against Spanish colonial rule, sparking the War for Independence that ultimately concluded with Mexico’s victory in 1821.
Cinco de Mayo: How It Came To Be Celebrated In America
According to Jessica Lavariega Monforti, Vice provost at California State University, Channel Islands, states that since its inception in 1863, Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated annually in California. During its first year, Mexican and American communities in the state united to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla and used the occasion to raise funds and recruit soldiers to support the ongoing fight led by Juárez against the French.
According to Dr. Lavariega Monforti, the early Cinco de Mayo celebrations primarily centered around the fight for democracy and freedom against white supremacists and other oppressors, both in Mexico and in Civil War-era California. During this time, Latinos in California mostly supported the Union over the Confederacy. Despite these challenges, Mexican-Americans continued to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the United States, with exiles of the dictator Porfirio Díaz playing a significant role in its continuation.
Over time, Cinco de Mayo evolved into a festival celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans throughout the country, coinciding with the Mexican-American civil rights movement that emerged in the 1940s. As a result, many activists began to embrace Cinco de Mayo as a source of pride and a means of highlighting Mexican culture and heritage.
However, as time passed, the original message of cultural pride associated with Cinco de Mayo appeared to fade away. According to Mr. Pilcher, Cinco de Mayo gained momentum in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s when brewing companies began to leverage the holiday to appeal to consumers, capitalizing on the increasing popularity of Mexican cuisine.
Dr. Lavariega Monforti explained, “By the 1990s, the public perception of the holiday had shifted, with the focus now being on the consumption of imported beer, tequila, and Mexican food.”
Cinco de Mayo: How It’s Celebrated Today
The state of Puebla in Mexico observes the festivity with historical re-enactments, parades, mariachi music, colorful costumes, and fireworks, but May 5 is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks, and stores remain open. In the United States, celebrations are more apparent, particularly in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, where events dedicated to Puebla’s dance, literature, and food are held. Mexican folkloric troupes in New York City are also utilizing Cinco de Mayo to highlight the historic events and culture of the Puebla region. According to Dr. Lavariega Monforti, these efforts appear to be a direct response to the consumerism and commercialization of Latino culture that surrounds Cinco de Mayo in the United States.
It is customary for U.S. presidents to recognize the occasion, and President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden on Thursday. The event will also be attended by Beatriz Gutierrez Muller, the first lady of Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo: What To Eat In Honor Of The Holiday
As I mentioned in the beginning, Americans often use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to enjoy plenty of tacos and margaritas, but the honest truth is that there is no one food truly associated with the Mexican holiday.
For a Cinco de Mayo-inspired feast, Pedro Reyes, a Mexican food writer, and creative director at Paladar recommended mole poblano, a chocolate-infused version of mole that originated in Puebla. He suggested pairing this dish with chalupas, small fried tortillas with a variety of fillings, white rice, nopales salad, fried beans, and molotes de plátano, which are stuffed plantain patties. To accompany the meal, beverages such as beer and tequila could be served, along with agua fresca, a refreshing fruit drink in flavors such as hibiscus, horchata, and tamarind. Pulque, a fermented alcoholic drink, is also a potential beverage option.
So if you don’t fancy celebrating this beautifully, culturally proud holiday, that is fine. Just keep your peas and mashed potatoes away from my guacamole!
Remember to enjoy your holiday responsibly, and don’t drink and drive!
Cinco de Mayo: Margaritas and Guacamole
When the fifth of May rolls around each year, I am eager to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with my family and friends. I eat tacos often, so in honor of this holiday, I like to enjoy more authentic Mexican cuisine. But even a good chalupa can be complemented with a hefty side of guacamole, and I do love guacamole.
The origins of guacamole date back to the Aztec empire back during the 16th century. The Aztec people loved guacamole, or ahuaca-mulli, translating to “avocado sauce,” and they consumed it believing it was a natural aphrodisiac.
Read More: The World Loves Guac. 9 Culturally Different Ways To Enjoy This Popular Dip
Modern guacamole isn’t much different from what the people of the Aztec empire enjoyed.
Avocado is always the main star in a bowl of guac, but a few other ingredients bring important flavor profiles to the mix. Cilantro is a key ingredient in guacamole, as is tomato, onion, some salt, and a little lime juice. If you like adding spicy kicks to your meals, then you can add a bit of jalapeno to the bowl.
Making guacamole from scratch is easy, even for those who never cook. But you still have to prep all the ingredients. Slicing and dicing and mashing everything into the perfect bowl of green goodness.
To make things a little bit easier and amazingly flavorful, I turn to guacamole blends from Spice Station Silver Lake. Their guacamole blends contain the perfect combination of beautifully aromatic spices that will level up your Cinco de Mayo festivities. I made my now famous guacamole with their Mexican Guacamole blend last year, and now, as we approach the month of May, my friends are already begging me to make this guacamole again this year!
Below I’ve included an easy recipe and instructions on how to make my famous Mexican guacamole. I hope you enjoy!
Homemade Guacamole Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 1-hour
Serves: 4
Calories: 167 cal
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted
- ¼ yellow onion, diced small
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1-2 Roma tomatoes, diced small
- 1-2 teaspoons of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons Mexican Guacamole blend
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Cut the avocado in half lengthwise, remove the stone from the center of the fruit. Using a large spoon, scoop out avocado meat into a mixing bowl.
- Using a Mashing utensil or potato masher to mash the avocado until it reaches your desired consistency. If you don’t own a Mashing utensil, you can use a fork to get the job done.
- Add the diced yellow onion, tomatoes, and cilantro into the mixing bowl and combine well.
- Sprinkle in the Mexican guacamole spice blend and mix well.
- Add lime juice and salt to taste.
Chefs Notes: Keeping Your Guac Green
Every year, I have a least one person ask me how I prevent my guacamole from turning brown. I happen to have a few secrets that help keep the beautiful green color going. The fact is guacamole turns brown when it comes in contact with oxygen. So the goal is to keep the oxygen away from the guac. The simplest method involves simply placing your dip into an air tight container. Another method for keeping the guac green is to pour a thin, visible layer of lime juice on top of the prepared guacamole to form a barrier between the air and the dip. But if you have plans for your limes you can use plastic wrap instead. Just make sure to push the cellophane down so it becomes flush with the guacamole. This will prevent air pockets.
Whatever you do, make sure you consume all of your guacamole in a timely fashion, or it will turn brown before you can toss the avocado pits.