The Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de Muertos in Mexico, is an official holiday celebrated throughout Mexico on October 31 through November 2 of every year—the same day that most Americans celebrate the holiday known as Halloween. So, just what is the Day of the Dead, what are its origins, and how is it celebrated? We’ve got all the details in this blog!

The Origins of the Holiday

It is believed that the origins of the Day of the Dead date back to the 16th century. Interestingly enough, the rituals used to celebrate the Day of the Dead originally took place during the summer months (the celebration actually lasted the entire month of August). It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the celebration was moved to the end of October and beginning of November.

Specifically, the Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. November 1st is a day dedicated to remembering those who passed during childhood, whereas November 2nd is used to remember deceased adults. Today, the holiday is celebrated not only across Mexico (especially in central Mexico), but in some areas of the United States and beyond.

Traditions Associated With Dia de Muertos

There are many interesting traditions associated with this unique holiday. For example, as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, families “invite” their deceased loved ones to a memorial dinner in their honor. This is usually done by placing photos of the loved ones on altars and elsewhere around the home, while also offering up food, drinks, colorful skulls, and even poems that have been written for them.

Some families will even meet a local cemeteries where loved ones are buried to hold a meal or other memorial ceremonies for their passed loved ones. The creation of colorful sugar skulls is also a huge part of Day of the Dead traditions. This was first introduced as part of the holiday back in the 17th century, and today, large sugar skulls are often placed on gravestones of loved ones as offerings on this holiday.

Great Dishes for Celebrating

For those planning on participating in the traditions of the Day of the Dead this year, an important part of the planning process is making sure to have meals figured out ahead of time. Generally, the best thing to do is to serve up authentic Mexican dishes. Many people celebrating the Day of the Dead like to prepare their deceased loved ones’ favorite dishes, whether they be appetizers, snacks, full-course meals, or desserts.

Some common dishes prepared for the Day of the Dead include pan de muerto, sugar skulls, tamales, and candied pumpkin.

As you can see, the Day of the Dead has a very rich history, dating back more than 500 years. For people in Mexico and beyond, this holiday is a great opportunity to celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed on while also getting together with family to better appreciate life.

With the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead, quickly approaching, you may find yourself looking to incorporate your own Day of the Dead celebration into your Halloween party or gathering. Or, maybe you’re even thinking about throwing your own Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Either way, the good news is that there are all kinds of simple yet impressive Day of the Dead decorations you can create on your own or with help from some friends.

Sugar Skull Masks

If you’ll have children attending your Day of the Dead gathering, consider printing out some pre-made sugar skull masks. You can simply cut them out and glue them to popsicle sticks. Then, arrange a decorating table for your guests to customize their own masks at your celebration. Set out colored pencils, markers, glitter, and the like. Children and adults alike will enjoy making their own masks, and they provide a great prop for photos as well.

Decorative Lanterns

In celebrating the Day of the Dead, many people like to set out paper lanterns with candles inside as an offering with the feast. However, these lanterns can be dangerous, especially when lit indoors with children present. Consider a safer and more fun alternative by taking some plastic or paper cups and decorating them with sugar skull drawings, using colorful permanent markers. Then, instead of candles, place flameless candles inside for the same effect without the hazard.

DIY Marigolds

Marigolds are a huge part of Day of the Dead decorations, but for those on a budget, it might not be feasible to run out and buy bouquets of real marigolds. No worries; you can easily make your own paper marigolds by simply cutting rectangles out of colored tissue paper, stacking them, folding them, and holding them together using a small piece of wire. You can find a full tutorial on making paper marigolds here.

Painted Sugar Skull Rocks

Another fun, easy, and inexpensive project for decorating for your Day of the Dead gathering is to find some various sized rocks and paint them with sugar skull decorations. These can then be placed around the home or even on an offering table as a decoration. We recommend using an acrylic paint for the best results. This is also a great project if you have children who want to participate.

Custom Skull Mugs

The next time you’re at your local dollar store, pick up a few coffee mug kits that you can decorate and bake in the oven for a lasting design. You can draw sugar skulls or other holiday-appropriate images on each mug and then use them to serve beverages out of during your celebration. You could even write each guest’s name on a mug and allow them to take them home as a favor.

As you can see, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on decorations for your Day of the Dead celebration for things to look great; all it takes is a little bit of creativity to come up with some simple yet fun decor items.

The taco is probably the most common Mexican food ordered today—especially in America. Today, you can order tacos in just about any variation imaginable, but what did the very first taco look like? Where did the taco originate, and how has it changed over the years? Explore the answers to these questions and more as we unveil the intriguing history of the taco as we know it today.

Where Did the Taco Originate?

Believe it or not, there’s some disagreement out there when it comes to where and when the first taco was made. However, most people believe that the first tacos were made in Mexico at some point during the 18th century. As for who invented the taco: this is something we’ll probably never know for sure. It is also assumed that the taco’s history in Mexico pre-dates the arrival of Europeans within the country.

A Side Note About the Etymology

While the exact history of the taco isn’t known with 100 percent certainty, one thing we are pretty sure about is the etymology of the taco—that is, the history of the word itself. It’s actually quite interesting, because back in the 18th century, mine workers in Mexico used the word “taco” to refer to a small piece of dynamite (gunpowder wrapped up in pieces of paper) that they used to excavate large areas of rock. It’s not exactly known how the word began to be used to be apply to the food version—meat wrapped up in a tortilla—but it is easy to see how this translation in meaning was made.

Variations of Tacos Today

Today, there are so many different types of popular taco dishes. It’s believed that among the first taco dishes that gained popularity was the fish taco, as early European settlers in Mexico documented enjoying tacos filled with fish at the time. Today, fish tacos are still quite popular, as are tacos al pastor. This particular type of taco refers to one stuffed with thin pork steaks that have been seasoned liberally with adobo seasoning.

Street tacos have also grown massively in popularity, and these days, you can go to just about any major city and come across several street taco vendors. These vendors tend to sell their tacos directly out of a food truck, and they can come with any variety of meat options, ranging from pork and steak to chicken and beef.

And of course, there are even more creative takes on the traditional taco, such as the dessert taco. These tacos tend to be made of a sweet tortilla shell with cinnamon and sugar, wrapped around some sort of sweet filling. Some common filings include fresh chopped fruit, whipped cream, chocolate, and the like. Dessert tacos are prepared similarly to traditional tacos and may even be garnished with powdered sugar or chocolate chips.

While the specific history of the taco is arguable, there’s no denying the impact the taco has had on today’s cuisine. So, the next time you order a taco, be sure to consider its long-standing history in Mexico, the Unites States, and across the globe.

When most people think of popular Mexican food, they tend to think of tacos and burritos. Just the same, if you were asked to name a popular Mexican adult beverage, tequila would probably be the first to come to mind. What many people don’t think about as they’re enjoying tequila on the rocks or in a margarita, however, is its history. Actually, tequila has a very long and interesting history, both in Spain and North America. By having a more thorough understanding of tequila and where it comes from, you’ll find that you have a greater appreciation for it the next time you enjoy it for yourself!

Tequila’s Early Years

It is believed that tequila was first produced at some point in the 1500s in a town that would later be named “Tequila” itself. Most believe that tequila was a spirit born out of necessity when the Spanish conquistadors found that they had run out of the brandy they were used to drinking; from there, they created the first tequila by distilling the agave plant. It wasn’t until nearly a century later, however, that tequila became popular enough to become mass produced. It was actually the Cuervo family (now known for the Jose Cuervo brand of tequila) that obtained the first license to mass produce the spirit!

Exportation Into the United States

It wasn’t Jose Cuervo, however, that was the first brand to export its tequila to the United States. It was actually Sauza tequila that first had that honor in the late 1800s. Since then, there’s been no doubt that tequila is a popular spirit across not only the United States, but North America as well. Many other brands of tequila have sprung up due to high demand, and different types of tequila can also be found today. Some are aged, whereas others aren’t.

How Tequila is Made

So, how exactly is tequila made and what is its relation with the blue agave plant? Harvesters start by cutting off the leaves from the plant when it’s ready, leaving only its core (known as the piña); the piñas are then baked in ovens to break down their sugars, at which point they are mashed to extract the agave juice. The juice, in its pure form, is known as wort, and needs to be distilled and fermented to create the actual tequila. From there, the tequila can be aged in barrels for varying amounts of time; the longer the tequila is aged, the more flavor it will develop (and the more expensive it will likely sell for when it hits the shelves). Tequila can be aged for a year or more to help develop more complex flavors.

Well, there you have it: a brief history of tequila as we know it, including an overview of the step-by-step process used to transform the piña of a blue agave plant into the delicious tequila we know and love. Now that you know what tequila is all about, who’s ready for a margarita?

 

If part of your weekly dinner menu includes a taco night, there’s a good chance that you’ve been serving up the same, basic taco recipe for months (or even years). And while we’ll be the first to say there’s nothing wrong with good, old-fashioned, real Mexican tacos—we also agree that variety is the spice of life. So if you’re feeling a little tired of your traditional taco night, now’s the time to switch things up a bit by trying out some of these fun twists on typical tacos!

Double Up Your Taco Shells

Do you find it difficult to choose between soft taco shells and hard taco shells? Who says you should have to choose? Add an extra layer of crunch and flavor to your next taco night by layering a hard-shell tortilla on top of a soft taco shell. It might not sound like a huge change from what you’re used to, but that extra bit of crunch can make all the difference. Make your taco even crunchier by adding a homemade cabbage slaw, tortilla strips, or some traditional shredded lettuce.

Try a Taco Casserole

Break out of the shell altogether by making a casserole version of your favorite taco recipe! Start by crushing up some of your favorite tortilla chips and layering them on the bottom of a casserole dish. Then, add a layer of taco meat, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, fresh veggies, and cheese. Top with some fresh chopped green onion, pico de gallo, or anything else that tickles your fancy. Pop in a 350-degree oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and starting to brown. Enjoy!

Turn Up the Heat

Sometimes, a little bit of spice is all you need. Instead of your traditional mild taco seasoning, why not make your own spicy-hot seasoning in which to cook your taco meat? It’s easier than you think; all you need is a little bit of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic (all of which you probably have in your spice rack already!). When your taco meat is browned, add about a cup of water along with the seasoning, bring to a boil, and then reduce to simmer for about five minutes (or until most of the liquid is gone).

End With a Dessert Taco

Sometimes, the best kind of taco is the type you eat for dessert. There are so many fun dessert taco recipes out there and you can get as creative as you’d like. For something a little lighter and healthier, we recommend a fruity dessert taco. Simply sprinkle a regular flour tortilla with cinnamon sugar and fill with a combination of your favorite freshly chopped fruit, such as strawberry, pineapple, and kiwi. You can even add a little bit of whipped cream before rolling your tortilla up and serving. Yum!

Taco night doesn’t have to be boring! These are just a few ideas for sprucing up your next taco night without having to do much extra work in the process. Now, which one do you want to try first?