Essay on Mexican Culture

We can find Mexican influence throughout the city of Houston due to the massive amounts of immigration from our neighboring country of Mexico. Their ideas and products have spread to the United States due to relocation diffusion. Texas has been historically influenced by Mexican culture as the region was part of Mexico until it got its independence in 1836, marking the end of the Texas Revolution. Mexican culture can be found in Roman Catholic churches, Mexican grocery stores, traditional restaurants, architecture, and it's folk food mixed with food with its hearth in Texas to create Tex-Mex.

We went to a Mexican store called “La Michoacana” one of our cultural locations as seen in the picture of us by the storefront. La Michoacana is a fruit store, a butcher shop/meat market, a taco shop, and a bakery, as written in Spanish below the store name (Fruteria means fruit shop, carniceria means butcher shop or meat market, taqueria means taco shop, and panaderia means bakery). On the outside of the store, advertisements and signs are written in English as well as in Spanish. Mexican culture is found here as many items that are sold here are of Mexican hearths and origins along with the architecture. In addition, the store chain was started in Houston by a Mexican family in 1986 as mentioned by their website, which is also written in Spanish.

The traditional architecture of the store seems to be inspired by Mexican styles, as the exterior seems to be made of adobe or a material of similar tan color to resemble the adobe-style homes made in Mexico. The hearth and origin of the architectural style are from the Aztecs using the sun-dried brick construction of the material adobe. Red roof tiles seem to be used above the doors and running throughout the front of the store. This reflects the Spanish roof style that is commonly used in Mexico as Spain used to occupy the state before its independence. This roof style was used in the construction of cathedrals and palaces for an artistic and dynamic look for hundreds of years.

A picture contains a rack full of Jarritos as they are a very famous drink in Mexico. Made by Don Francisco Hill in 1950, they come in 12 different flavors: Jamaica, Tamarind, Mexican Cola, Grapefruit, Strawberry, Mandarin, Lime, Guava, Fruit Punch, Pineapple, and Mango. The drink was originally made in the flavor of coffee, but the founder decided to use fruits to make fruity flavors. Jarritos spread through contagious diffusion spreading to 80% of the 31 Mexican states and soon became a part of their cultural identity. Jarritos means “little jugs” in Spanish, which are used to serve fresh juice as the clay keeps it cold.

Jarritos diffused to the United States in 1988, due to it being a healthy option. Caffeine was not used as an ingredient in the soda, and it was made with only natural sugars. This diffusion occurred due to the concerns about healthy eating as the packaged foods industry revolutionized in the state. It quickly became the best-selling Mexican product in the Hispanic market of the United States.

The product is packaged in a clear glass bottle and now has a label with the Jarritos logo. Before, the drink was not packaged with the label, but real fruit flavors were evident in the taste, so they were easily identified. The Jarritos logo comes from the original clay jugs that were brownish-yellow at the bottom and green all around. 1,500 bottles of Jarritos are exported from Mexico every minute, and 45,000 bottles are filled per minute at the factories.

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Mihir can be seen holding two votive candles in a picture. As a majority of Mexico are followers of the Roman Catholic denomination of the religion of Christianity, these candles are burned, and the light signifies Christ or His presence. This is done with respect to the holy scriptures since Jesus stated that he is the light of the world. Votive candles are also burned as a symbol of grace, wisdom, faith, and dedication to prayer as done in funeral processions, taking of Holy Communion, Sacrament of Baptism, during prayers, and several other religious occasions. Other candles are burned for functions and celebrations in Mexico, but the white candle is only burned during religious occasions.

The candle in Mihir’s right hand has Jesus on it, signifying the importance of the Roman Catholic denomination of the religion of Christianity in Mexican culture. Catholicism was introduced to Mexico through relocation diffusion due to Spanish colonists in the 16th century. About 80% of the population of Mexico identify themselves as Roman Catholic, and the denomination is practiced uniquely as pre-Hispanic traditions are still practiced along with Catholicism.

The candle in Mihir’s left hand has the design of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a two-day holiday that reunites the living and the dead. Family members create offerings and altars to honor those who have passed, so their souls can visit from the land of the dead to see their families. On this holiday, family members place flowers and light candles on the burial sites of their loved ones and celebrate. The Day of the Dead is an example of syncretism as the Hispanic tradition of honoring their loved ones who have passed is combined with Catholicism as pictures of the Virgin Mary and rosaries are included in modern altars.

Opuntias, otherwise known as prickly pears or cactus pears, are seen in a picture in both colors red and green, but can also appear to be orange or yellow. The fruit's origin is thought of to be between the end of the Pleistocene and the beginning of the fifth millennium AD, in the semi-arid basins and valleys of many states in Mexico. Since the arrival of man in the semi-deserts and deserts of Mexico, opuntias have been an important source of food, drink, and medicine.

Opuntias are a typical plant of the natural landscape of Mexico and are a major part of the cultural identity of the Mexican people. The fruit was consumed abundantly by ancient Mexicans. There was a prophecy that according to the Sun and War god, the Aztecs should build a city where they see an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a snake. This city that they built became the ancient capital which is now in the center of Mexico City and is symbolized on the Mexican flag as an eagle sits on a prickly pear cactus with a snake in its mouth. This occurrence created the foundation for what Mexico has become today and is seen as a symbol of hope and endurance.

Sabah is holding a popular Mexican candy called chili gummy worms in his right hand. They are made with chamoy, a bright red condiment in Mexican cuisine that can range from a liquid to paste consistency. Chamoy is traditionally made from salt-pickled fruits such as sour plums, apricots, or mangos. It is used to coat many dishes and snacks of Mexican cuisine, and it is part of their cultural identity. Chamoy is blended with other ingredients such as citric acid, sea salt, toasted chili powder, and Tajin, a popular chili and lime seasoning used to coat many Mexican snacks and fruits. These gummy worms are coated with this concoction and are eaten by many. Each bite of this candy begins with a tangy, sour sensation, then an intense burst of chili spice, and finally the sweet taste of the gummy worm itself. The heart and origin of this candy are in Mexico, and it is very popular there, becoming a part of their culture.

Sabah is holding a Mexican snack called fiesta mix in his left hand. This snack is a mixture of many traditional ingredients and nuts such as roasted and seasoned peanuts, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and corn sticks. The ingredients vary for every brand, but all fiesta mixes come in an assortment of nutty and savory flavors, and chamoy or Tajin is often mixed to add a sour and spicy taste to the assortment. This snack encompasses many traditional nuts and snacks mixed together with traditional spices or seasonings of Mexican culture.