[Mexico] Mexican cuisine stamp set (Set de comida mexicana)
chocochocolala
Mexican cuisine, intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO needs an stamp set.
What about some of the most famous mexican dishes?
Tacos, Tamales, Tequila, Pozole, Tlayudas, Mole...
Please comment your favorite food for all the country and not only for your region. I know it is sad that many will be omited, but I hope to get some food representative of the country.
La gastronomía mexicana, patrimonio cultural de la humanidad por la UNESCO necesita un set de estampas.
¿Tal vez que contenga los platillos más famosos?
Tacos, Tamales, Tequila, Pozole, Tlayudas, Mole...
Por favor comenten su comida favorita de todo el país y no sólo de su región. Sé que es triste que muchas se tendrán que omitir, pero espero lograr tener algunas de las comidas más representativas del país.
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chocochocolala
Since we already have a stamp with a taco for the "Taco Day", I was thinking that it'd be cool to make something different, and I thought that "Tacos al pastor" are pretty common and everybody loves them, so maybe the stamp could feature a "Taco al pastor" with a "trompo".
(Image of the "trompo" to explain what I mean)
Yann2
chocochocolala: Nice job, and thank you.
My first reaction was to think of Donner kebab and Gyros, and a visit to the EN wikipedia linked clarified it :
History
"During the 19th century, variations of a vertically-grilled meat dish, now known by several names, started to spread throughout the Ottoman Empire. The Lebanese version, shawarma, was brought to Mexico the late 19th and early 20th centuries by a wave of Lebanese immigrants, mainly Christians such as the Maronites who have no religious dietary restrictions on eating pork.
In the 1960s, Mexican-born progeny of these immigrants began opening their own restaurants and combining their heritage with Mexican cuisine. Being derived from shawarma, it is also similar to the Turkish döner kebab and the Greek gyros."
The page also describes well the seasoning and preparation of the meat before cooking. And the various tortillas it comes with. Nice.
Thank you!
chocochocolala
Yann2: I was amazed when a Turkish penpal told me that they had something similar there!!, we have lots of influence from that part of the world : )
Itzae
chocochocolala: I'm not going to lie to you, I wish this was the stamp for Taco day:'(
The US also have a "Taco tuesday" and a stamp for it (not sure how to feel about that... even if there are many Mexicans there, I feel a little weird about it for many reasons that are too political), but anyhow, the reason why I mention this is because, even tho they're different stamps and ours doesn't feature tomato or lettuce, the Mexican stamp looks like a US taco as well.
We have many versions so that's technically a taco (at least that's our tortilla), but not the national one, rather it looks like the ones that are on the northern border and influenced by the US citizens that cross it.
I was thinking about asking to be replaced, but we already did that for the set and I would feel bad for the slowly team LOL. Also, it seems there are more concerning themes for now, so I'll let it rest and just hope that, if we get a cuisine set, we get the real national taco.
Itzae
Yann2: I'm happy you mentioned this because in México there are many immigrants from all around the world and they aren't recognized enough! especially those that come from Asia, Euroasia, and Africa.
Thanks for the info:)
Yann2
chocochocolala: I have seen this kind of snack food in many places - in Brazil, in Europe. I hear it is VERY popular in Germany for example, as it is the lowest price food you could get, and therefore, students and other tight budget types line up for it, lol...
Seen it in Portugal and Spain as well, although there are so many options there (principally in Portugal, which I love; never did too well with eating in Spain, in comparison).
Yann2
Itzae: You are very welcome. 🙂'
Chocolala's photo of the spit roasting really got me curious. And now we have more info and better understanding of what this is.
Agreed that the Taco de Pastor would be a much nicer image than the current Mexican Taco stamp. A darker, flatter image which looks quite similar to the American Taco Tuesday stamp.
Cultural appropriation is an issue, for sure. Mexican history and traditions have a lot to offer, and can be a source of pride for the locals.
I love History and delight on learning more about aspects of it that relate to my favourite themes. During visits to my ancestral homeland, I take pride on the achievements of the countrymen.
Travel, culture, understanding each other. All positive things, and Slowly with these stamps can open many eyes and doors for curious people.
Itzae
Yann2: It definitely looks like their stamp, at first I genuinely thought we had the same stamp and that was the reason for the art, but then I checked the wiki stamps and was a little baffled, then just kinda confused because it looks like a fusion of our versions haha. The one from Choco is more accurate for the country.
For sure! I'm okay with the fact that Mexican cuisine is very popular, I also made my peace with the different versions of it (I mean, 'our' sushi is not really sushi either), but being the US the context gets a little tricky because they control the media and tend to take things from other cultures more often than not, mine being one of the favorites for it. Perhaps that's just being their neighbor, I have to ask Canada as well.
You're right! and is great that you're interested in that. Also, these kinds of sites are great for it and stamps to add to the experience, I'm even beginning to understand why people collect them.
Yann2
Itzae: Thank you for another great comment.
I think those of us who work on the independant projects related to the Slowly app and the user ecosystem are really doing much needed work.
There is a huge number of stamps - it's over 1,200 now.
And so many of them depict interesting places, I was always curious about the foreign Location stamps.
At one point, I started working and created a whole
World Explorer gallery
with a new page for each stamp - so you can not only see it, but know what is shown. More info? it's a click away, as I have Wikipedia link in the same page.Slowly staff is too small to be able to do the follow up - many times a new stamp set would warrant a blog page, showing the stamps and explaining their origin, what is shown in each, etc.
I have done that various times, but they are busy. And since I do it for free, on my on time and volition, they are happy to leave it that way. 😉
Examples ?
...and various others.
chocochocolala
Itzae: I know, I already sent a email about that last year, because literally, they made a taco first for USA than for Mexico, which made me very angry, I also explained about how a Mexican taco should be, so I guess they already have the information. So I hope that with this set they make a real taco.
Andy0409
La comida mexicana es increíble y de tanto sabor. Realmente algo que vale la pena de la cultura humana.
Yann2
The sheer determination and quality of the comments and contributions to this proposal, by both chocochocolala and Itzae, deserve recognition and our support.
Well done, friends. The foods you are discussing look delicious. Success to your proposal. Salud!
Itzae
I've been thinking hard on this one to make suggestions, I'm from the Centre and the dish for my hometown would be Enchiladas potosinas, but I feel like that's so specific and not even all Mexicans know them, so I decided to think on dishes based in history and even color to look nice, so here they are:
1 From the whole country
Tacos: I cannot make enough emphasis on how important this one is for us. VERY. It has a lot of legends behind it and it has pre-colonial history by indigenous people who made tacos de mole (mole is another dish I add below). The reason behind its importance is simple: everyone knows us for this, and yet, somehow the US's version is the most famous one. They can have their version, yes, but we like ours because it's ours.
We have A LOT of versions for the taco, I would go as far as to say every State has its version, but there is one that is international and all of us know, that would be the simple taco that is only two (or one) tortillas with meat, we usually add (separately) onion, coriander, lemon (the acid one, not the sweet ones) and sauce. The meat can vary.
This is considered street food, but I think is very iconic so I include them.
2 From Puebla
Chiles en nogada: this dish is from Puebla, it is said that the mothers from "Agustinas del Convento de Santa Mónica" made this dish to celebrate independence, hence the ingredients they added so the dish has the 3 colors from our flag, apparently, they did it for Agustin Iturbide to celebrate his birthday and he coined it as an Independence dish. A famous archeologist said that the last history is untrue and it comes from Spain, but he worded it badly, for instance, Spain didn't even have this particular chile and this affirmation makes a lot of people mad because it suggests is from Spain when it's not, is inspired by a Spain dessert, which at the same time is based in an Arabic one. There are two other legends about this dish btw.
I choose this one because of the colors and how it represents a lot of mixed stuff about our culture.
OR Mole: This dish is precolonial, many describe it as resistance because any dish that survived the erasing of indigenous culture shows it. Let's remember that Spain tried to erase cultural stuff from the colonies, but even they liked some so the cuisine wasn't as targeted; nonetheless, they did try to adapt it to their tastes.
Others believe this is postcolonial; however, indigenous communities did have dishes like this one, so is likely that it simply evolved, or was rediscovered considering how hard is to make it and how many ingredients it involves. It can be sweet, spacy, or both.
3 From the whole country
Pozole: This one is hard, we have many versions and all States have their preferences, but there are two that almost all of us know: Pozole verde/green and Pozole rojo/red, the late one is the more common, but we also have Pozole blanco/white. It has a pre-colonial background and Mesoamerica used to eat it on special occasions, this is due to the fact is corn-based and that plant was very important for them.
4 From Yucatán
Cochinita pibil: Pre-colonial dish made with a technique called píib. The traditional preparation involves burning it in a pit.
I know we're aiming for an exclusive premium 6 set, so I thought about other dishes: gorditas and tamales. Here is my problem, gorditas we have too many versions of it, I don't know which version is the most famous.
Tamales...I'm sorry but that one isn't only ours, perhaps we could put a specific one, like tamales huastecos.
I also thought about Tlayudas and nopales. Nopales I really want to find an iconic dish because many are weirded out because we eat cactus lol, so it seems like a nice conversation, however, in my State we only eat them in two different ways. If someone from Guanajuato could offer a particular dish, that would be nice.
Yann2
Itzae: Wow!!!
Well done. superb research. Respect, and thank you! 😎👍
Itzae
Yann2: Thanks! :D
chocochocolala
Itzae: It'd be cool to include tlayudas, I feel like they're pretty well known along the country. And about Guanajuato we have many types of Enchiladas, you may know them as "Tacos Rojos", they are pretty famous in all the country.
chocochocolala
Itzae: And about the tamales, you are right, I forgot they are not exclusive of Mexico, maybe Corundas https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corunda or Tamales Oaxaqueños would be a good option of specific Mexican tamales. And I love the idea of Chiles en Nogada. Pulque would be a great idea too https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulque.
Itzae
chocochocolala: I like Corundas! those were the tamales in the original set and the only ones I recognized as Mexican, haha. I wouldn't go for tamales huastecos if we were to have already a meal from there, but they're great too.
Oh! I was told Guanajuato have many dishes with nopales, an iconic ingredient from México, so I was thinking in something among that, but perhaps it's not Guanajuato? tacos rojos I do know tho, that's how we call it in my town (cuz we have our own enchiladas) and I do love them!!
I was thinking about pulque and we could ask for a beverage set instead of a dishes one (asking for both seems like a lot). Since we have many beverages too: tequila, pulque, rompope, cajeta (we put it a lot of times in a bottle, haha, but I guess that's a dessert), tepache, xtabentún, torito...
Or we could add a single beverage stamp in the set, the most famous is tequila, but perhaps pulque could be the one too.
chocochocolala
Itzae: Well, we could save the beverages for a second stamp set, Mezcal should be there too.
Mmm I live in Guanajuato, but I don't know many dishes from here hahaha.
I personally prefer Enchiladas Potosinas than Tacos Rojos, but the last one are most famous. I personally would like to see in the stamp something like this
Itzae
chocochocolala: Really? I prefer tacos rojos! haha maybe because I'm used to enchiladas potosinas.
They look tasty, I really love tacos rojos and would be ecstatic if they are to include them for a cuisine set.
I was told in Guanajuato there are many types of grilled nopales with stuff, like a tlayuda, but instead of tortilla; nopal. That may not be recognizable for all of our people tho
Yann2
Itzae
ImpossibleTwin: someone on Reddit told me about this! And yes, I most say is a little bit insulting that the take on our food was the US version, so I’m grateful that they removed it, I don’t think I’d want it even as a trade 😅 furthermore, I’m surprised by the user who said burritos aren’t Mexican, because they are, they originate from Ciudad Juárez officially (was made before in Guanajuato), but lately, due to Salma Hayek saying in an interview that it’s not ours, many believed it. Wikipedia says is from Chicago and is not, they literally took the original story and adapted it to the US. They are popular there, for sure, but so are other stuff.
Yann2
Itzae: LOL....
"I’m grateful that they removed it, I don’t think I’d want it even as a trade 😅"
But you did not consider, the removal of the set
made it instantly VERY rare and high in trade value
.This is a regional set, only available in México, and for maybe 2 or 3 weeks in total?
It is a desirable collectible.
Regarding the foods depicted, as a foreigner I am not able to opine, would leave that to the locals.
Tequilla is mentioned on the original post, and that brought me a smile.... 😜
Itzae
Yann2: I’ll respond with the same: LOL… 😅
I understand stamp collectors, this seems like a high value for them, but I’m not on Slowly for that; rather only the letters and the cultural exchange. Food for México is VERY, VERY important, especially if your career is about learning its history and resistance, which can get even political for some.
So, yeah, is attractive to stamp collectors, probably more so for the foreigns. It was just an opinion because for me local stamps are to show off culture, not to collect, is fine if is not the same for others 😊
Yann2
Itzae: The stamp collecting is a fascinating part of using Slowly. I think it took off in a way that might even have surprised Kevin Wong. In a nice way, as they are a major component of the company's revenue.
The culture and customs, monuments and landmarks shown in the stamps are fascinating. Mexican users should organize and come up with some suggestions for new, additional Location stamps - the Chichen Itzá one is nice but México deserves more.
Good luck ! I think the Quetzalcoatl could be a nice one to use. Also maybe mention the many Silver mines and coinage made from it during the Colonial period. Those pieces of 8, 8 Reales coins, are wonderful.
Itzae
Yann2: Oh, yeah, I totally get it, I received a few requests just for the Axolotl new stamp and, honestly, I get why they want it, is so cute and Slowly made a great job with it. Even if I'm not a collector myself, I think I understand why someone would want something rare~ no matter its background.
The mines would probably be a sensitive topic since Canada and The US are currently exploiting them, so maybe people would get the wrong idea even if is based on the colonization. The invasion in general makes us a little stiffy because we still have its consequences even if they aren't as obvious as before. The Quetzalcoatl one tho, I think Mexicans would like it! I didn't know other countries had more location stamps, I always assumed everyone had 1 and the others were premium exclusive lol. I'll think about that one to suggest one!
Yann2
Itzae: Oh, by all means - countries can have from zero (the poor neglected ones we are trying to help with proposals here) up to 5 Location stamps.
And Kevin Wong himself has posted here that he's willing to accept
up to 5 per country max
.So there's lots of room for a request or two of new Mexican Location stamps. Go for it, gather the troops, research some ideas and post a nice proposal here.
We are slowly getting
support for a number of so far stamp-less countries
we made proposals for.Itzae
Yann2: I just read your post from reddit, I'll be upvoting them!
As for México, I'll think about some nice ones:)
Yann2
Itzae: Thank you, much appreciated!! 😀👍
chocochocolala
ImpossibleTwin: This story is very interesting. Despite the stamps insults mexican cuisine it'd be interesting to get the stamp set somewhere haha. I hope that we all Mexicans can get to choose the foods we want, because as I said, many will be excluded, but I'm seeing it hard, not many people is commenting.
chocochocolala
Yann2: I've upvoted all the proposals : ) for Mexico I have many ideas, I'm going to do a research
Yann2
chocochocolala: Thank you very much, we appreciate it! 😀😊
Yann2
chocochocolala: Glad you enjoyed reading the story. I think that organizing a group interested in a theme is the way to go - if there is interest, new ideas are proposed and discussed, the Team sees the action and eventually things progress.
You could try contacting your pen pals and ask for suggestions, for them to come and visit the site and your topics, and maybe add a vote in support.
It is a bit weird because of the way the site is organized, some proposals are seen a lot because they are at the top of the Trending list - and that is where people first land when they arrive on the site. The New proposals get seen much less, it seems.
A new proposal for Brazilian Location stamps has started, I am glad to see that as I had supported some isolated ideas, suggestions. But now there is one topic, a catch all like this one, which can accept many suggestions and eventually produce a list of nice designs. Or a list of foods for the Mexican set you proposed.
Success to you all. Have fun, good luck! 😎👍