What Makes Tex-Mex Different From Mexican Food
Many people believe Tex-Mex and Mexican food are one and the same, but they're not. They can resemble one another, but ingredients and flavors differ between them. Tex-Mex is a combination of Mexican food and American ingredients and spices. Tex-Mex began in Texas and gained a lot of popularity. Let’s have a look at Tex-Mex and its differentiation with Mexican food.
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History of Tex-Mex and Mexican Cuisine
Mexican food is centuries old and is a descendant of foods prepared by the Aztecs and Mayans, who added ingredients including corn, beans, and chili peppers to foods. With additional ingredients including cheese and rice, courtesy of Spanish conquest, foods in Mexico became rich in spices and variety over a span of years.
Tex-Mex food started in Texas when Mexicans mixed foods with foods in America. Americans incorporated cheddar cheese, beef, and flour tortillas into them. Tex-Mex food, a culinary mix, grew and is famous in America today.
Ingredients That Set Them Apart
Mexican food utilizes organic and fresh ingredients. Corn tortillas, white cheese, and a lot of chili peppers are included in it. Cumin and oregano, simple spices, are included in foods such as tamales, tacos, and enchiladas.
Tex-Mex food, then, utilizes yellow cheese, flour tortillas, and beef. It utilizes ingredients such as canned tomatoes and sour cream, as well. Chili powder, a form of seasoning, is to credit for Tex-Mex food having such a pungent taste. That sets Tex-Mex food apart from traditional Mexican food.
The Use of Dairy and Cheese
Mexican food utilizes fresh cheese, including queso fresco. Queso fresco is mild and soft in its nature. Tex-Mex, on the other hand, utilizes cheddar cheese, a melting and sharp cheese. Tex-Mex foods have a high level of cheese, and therefore, become rich and heavy in nature.
Mexican food doesn't use much in terms of dairy but a lot of freshly prepared salsas and guacamole. Tex-Mex, in contrast, can't resist employing sour cream, queso dip, and nacho cheese.
Popular Tex-Mex and Mexican Dishes
Here are a few well-known dishes in both cuisines:
Mexican Dishes
Tacos al pastor – Stuffed soft tortillas with pineapple and pork, marinated
Tamales – Cornmeal stuffed with meat or beans, and wrapped in a corn husk.
Chiles Rellenos – Stuffed poblano peppers with cheese, and sometimes with meat
Tex-Mex Dishes
Chili con Carne – a spiced hot stew with ground beef, chili powder, and beans.
Fajitas – Grilled peppers and onions and meat, with tortillas of flour.
Nachos – Tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, jalapeños, and sour cream.
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Cooking Methods
Mexican food is slow-cooked, boiled, and griled in most cases. Fresh herbs and spices make its dishes flavorful. For example, barbacoa is slow-cooked meat, and it is simply mouthwatering.
Tex-Mex food, on the other hand, consists of a lot of frying. Chimichangas, deep-fried burritos, are a creation of Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex foods have rich sauce and melted cheese and, therefore, are nutritionally heavier.
Influence of Tex-Mex in America
Tex-Mex food is a strong presence in America's culinary life nowadays. Americans love foods including tacos, nachos, and burritos a lot. Fast foods including at Taco Bell sell Tex-Mex foods, and its popularity keeps growing even more in consequence.
Mexican food, however, stands out for its traditional preparation and freshness of ingredients. It is enjoyed worldwide for its rich heritage and its strong flavor.
Final Thoughts
Tex-Mex and Mexican food can resemble one another, but both have a lot of variation between them. Tex-Mex is a mix of both cuisines, but Mexican food is traditional in its origin. There is a lot of seasoning in both of them. Next time you have nachos or a taco, pay attention to whether it’s Tex-Mex or real Mexican food.
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