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Emily Leal

Professor Tubbs

ENGL-1301-578

27 October 2020

Tex-Mex and Mexican Food

Typically, when people say "Let's go out for Mexican food". People assume its authentic

Mexican food but in actuality its Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex has its roots in San Antonio which is not

too far from the Mexican border, which explains the Mexican influence. Knowing the

differences may help inform people of what they are actually consuming. Mexican and Tex-Mex

are amazing cuisines that share similarities and differences both having a uniquely delicious

taste.

The origins of Tex-Mex begin near the Rio Grande Valley to California and made its way

to San Antonio, where it's now considered the birthplace of Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex is also known as

Tejano cuisine. Tex-Mex does not have many variations of its cuisine, rather it's a blend of

traditional Mexican with American ingredients. With a sudden glance, one may not notice the

differences between Mexican and Tejano cuisine, as it's not about how it's presented but rather

what's on the inside. The main ingredients that differentiate Tejano and Mexican cuisine are in its

ingredients which include, beef, yellow cheese, flour tortillas, canned vegetables, and cumin.

These ingredients are not found in authentic Mexican foods. Traditional Mexican foods have

been changed over the years to appeal to the American taste. For example, Tejano enchiladas are

typically made with ground beef covered with chili and yellow cheese, all of these not found in a

traditional Mexican enchilada. Tex-Mex is a mix of American food and Mexican food while

Mexican food is a mix of Spanish and Aztec food.

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However, traditional Mexican foods are made with fresh ingredients and no cumin.

People associate cumin is with Mexican food but in actuality, the spice comes from Asia.

Mexican cuisine originates from both Aztecs and the conquistadors from Spain. Aztecs and

Spaniards combined their food culture which consists of corn tortillas, wild game, and fish with

foods like pork, dairy, garlic, and other herbs, to form what we now recognize as Mexican

cuisine. Mexican food is different across all of Mexico with different dishes and cooking

methods that the region is most known for. Yet all of them are a part of Mexican culture. There

is more to Mexican food than just tacos, fajitas, and burritos, even though fajitas and burritos are

not Mexican food. Authentic Mexican foods are made with white cheese or Oaxaca cheese

instead of yellow cheese. In traditional Mexican foods, there will be no mountain of yellow

cheese. The range of authentic Mexican cuisine is unimaginable from, Arrozz la Tumbada from

Venezuela to Mole from Oaxaca, these dishes are quite different, but both share that Mexican

culture. It's rather unfortunate that authentic Mexican restaurants became more Americanized

and changed their ingredients to appeal to the American taste. An example of a traditional

Mexican enchilada consists of chicken with either red or green chile, topped with some crema

and queso fresco. Most genuine Mexican food does not include beef since cattle were not

available in Mexico. Some more loved authentic Mexican dishes include entomatadas, mole,

Menudo, and cochinita pibil. All Mexican cuisine is made with fresh ingredients and differs from

seafood to pork. Tex-Mex cuisine is very delicious.

Undoubtedly, there are many similarities between Tejano and Mexican cuisine. Both of

them share a love and appreciation of Mexican culture. They have minor differences but both are

filled with Mexican influenced flavor and have a unique taste. The distinctions are so minor that

many people confuse them easily, but knowing will help one appreciate food better. There is
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nothing wrong with loving Tex-Mex food since traditional Mexican foods have also adopted

fajitas and nachos into their restaurants to appeal to the people, even Mexicans found a new

liking to Tex-Mex food. Knowing the differences will help one notice that Taco Bell and

Chipotle are not Mexican foods and hopefully encourage one to try a local Mexican restaurant

that is mostly run by a family.

Overall, there is no doubt that both Tex-Mex and Traditional Mexican food taste

incredible. But some differences must be noted such as, the ingredients that are used to make

them. When it comes to Tejano vs Mexican food both may have their differences but that's no

denying their important role in Tejano and Mexican Culture. It is vital to understand the main

differences to broaden one's taste and be open to experience traditional Mexican foods.

Acknowledging these differences may make one more culturally sensitive, which serves as a

great way to understand and appreciate other cultures.