Although maize was an ordinary food for the Maya, their delicacy was varied and remarkably extensive. They consumed several types of food, among them fish as well as other ocean creatures, wild plants, and their own crops. They were also outstanding hunters and also foragers, even though their innovative agricultural methods provided the staple foods upon which their entire diet was primarily based.
The key crops grown by the Maya were maize, squash, beans, and also chili peppers. The initial three were utilized through the entire Americas and referred to as ?Three Sisters? since they complimented one another both in taste and also nutrients. Several different kinds of maize were grown, however it was a fine crop that could not support the larger developments, thus it is considered that maybe manioc was utilized in its place when maize was scarce. Some other crops integrated papaya, avocado's, tomatoes, pumpkin, pineapple, and also sweet potato. Several herbs and spices were as well grown and employed in their cooking. This included avocado leaf, white cinnamon, vanilla, and also allspice. Many of these were employed to generate special dishes although some were utilized in day to day cooking. Wild onions and salt were also commonly used in the cooking.
Maize needed to be pretreated by means of nixtamalization. This was a process where the maize was drenched and then cooked in an alkaline solution. This will make the maize release niacin which will help in order to prevent pellagra as well as protein deficiency. As soon as the maize had been correctly handled, it then might be ground and utilized in a number of dishes.
Hunters provided most of the meat, even though it's thought that dogs as well as turkeys might have been domesticated as well. They generally hunted monkeys, deer, peccary, turles, armadillo, and perhaps iguanas. Those people living near along the coast in addition supplemented their diet with aquatic resources, including shrimp, fish, lobster, and also other shellfish.
Although several of the dishes which the ancients once used have gone away, the descendants of the Maya still cook using the same ingredients. Maize is still frequently used in their cooking, along with beans, squash, lots of the same meats, and a lot of other different plants and animals which were once employed by the ancients. They even can farm with some of the same methods handed down over the generations.
Several widely used recipes which might be employed nowadays utilize the similar ingredients that were employed by the Maya over one thousand years ago. Honey-Vanilla Fruit Compote, for example, makes use of native fruits. Hot chocolate, which tasted completely different from our modern drink, once was reserved only for the nobles yet are these days offered to everyone. Tamales were also popular in Mayan times, however the recipe appears to have changed somewhat as time passes.
Whether or not the recipe is ancient or modern, the descendants of the Maya keep delicious meals. Simply because they make use of exactly the same ingredients, it delivers a little look into the diets as well as daily eating of this proud and respectable individuals who always captivate us. Taking in a meal made by these folks these days makes you travel back in its history, to when the stone cities were thriving; it's a true taste of history!
The key crops grown by the Maya were maize, squash, beans, and also chili peppers. The initial three were utilized through the entire Americas and referred to as ?Three Sisters? since they complimented one another both in taste and also nutrients. Several different kinds of maize were grown, however it was a fine crop that could not support the larger developments, thus it is considered that maybe manioc was utilized in its place when maize was scarce. Some other crops integrated papaya, avocado's, tomatoes, pumpkin, pineapple, and also sweet potato. Several herbs and spices were as well grown and employed in their cooking. This included avocado leaf, white cinnamon, vanilla, and also allspice. Many of these were employed to generate special dishes although some were utilized in day to day cooking. Wild onions and salt were also commonly used in the cooking.
Maize needed to be pretreated by means of nixtamalization. This was a process where the maize was drenched and then cooked in an alkaline solution. This will make the maize release niacin which will help in order to prevent pellagra as well as protein deficiency. As soon as the maize had been correctly handled, it then might be ground and utilized in a number of dishes.
Hunters provided most of the meat, even though it's thought that dogs as well as turkeys might have been domesticated as well. They generally hunted monkeys, deer, peccary, turles, armadillo, and perhaps iguanas. Those people living near along the coast in addition supplemented their diet with aquatic resources, including shrimp, fish, lobster, and also other shellfish.
Although several of the dishes which the ancients once used have gone away, the descendants of the Maya still cook using the same ingredients. Maize is still frequently used in their cooking, along with beans, squash, lots of the same meats, and a lot of other different plants and animals which were once employed by the ancients. They even can farm with some of the same methods handed down over the generations.
Several widely used recipes which might be employed nowadays utilize the similar ingredients that were employed by the Maya over one thousand years ago. Honey-Vanilla Fruit Compote, for example, makes use of native fruits. Hot chocolate, which tasted completely different from our modern drink, once was reserved only for the nobles yet are these days offered to everyone. Tamales were also popular in Mayan times, however the recipe appears to have changed somewhat as time passes.
Whether or not the recipe is ancient or modern, the descendants of the Maya keep delicious meals. Simply because they make use of exactly the same ingredients, it delivers a little look into the diets as well as daily eating of this proud and respectable individuals who always captivate us. Taking in a meal made by these folks these days makes you travel back in its history, to when the stone cities were thriving; it's a true taste of history!
About the Author:
Onejungle Adventure Travel is a tour operator with a special focus on adventure vacations in the Mayan Yucatan: Mexico, Guatemala and belize. See to find out more or go to Mexico Adventures for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment