Significance of Beans in Mexican Cuisine

Beans have a lot usage in Mexican food. But have you ever thought why is it so? In this blog, we will tell you the significance of beans in Mexican Cuisine. And if you are in Hong Kong and want to taste Mexican food then you must visit at La Vista, Mexican restaurant & Bar.

Since beans store well in warm climates like Mexico, they were historically employed as currency in that region. They also have distinct flavors that pair well with a variety of spices or flavorings. Beans are a healthy addition to every meal and are less expensive than meat. In Mexico, the following are some of the reasons why people love beans. 

Beans Are a Crucial Ingredient in Mexican Food  

Any entree, beans always serve as an authentic Mexican recipe. Everybody from the upper class to the poorer class and everyone in between has beans on their tables. Everything from rice to tortillas to beans are available from street sellers. Every family has a pot of beans that people regularly eat from, and every cook in every home is probably familiar with how to prepare beans.  

Several Savoury Dishes are Inspired by the Many Beans Varieties  

There are countless types of beans, each with a unique flavor and consistency. Only a small portion of the nearly 40,000 different bean kinds that exist worldwide are actually regularly consumed. Nevertheless, the many different kinds of beans that are accessible in Mexico inspire a wide variety of dishes, such as tacos with pinto beans or black beans with a fiery pig dish. There is also the Peruano bean, whose texture and flavor are more akin to potatoes and would work well in fajitas. Beans come in a wide variety, and Mexico is home to many great dishes that use them. 

Beans Were Once a Form of Payment  

Even though cocoa beans are not strictly beans like pinto or kidney beans. The ancient Mayan civilization traded with the Aztecs for goods like clothes, tobacco, and other foods in exchange for cocoa beans. In addition to using cacao beans as payment for labor, the Europeans also utilized them to produce chocolate. Regular beans were also traded throughout the bartering period in exchange for goods and services.  

Some Beans are Flavorless and Go well with any Flavor  

Have you ever eaten refried black beans with a dish that was quite spicy? Did not the beans serve as a neutral agent and aid in the cooling down of your mouth? Some beans are flavor-neutral and take on the flavor of any other ingredients, such as garlic, onions, various herbs, or spices. Some beans, such black bean brownies or chickpea cookie dough balls, can also be fashioned into desserts. Every meal, even breakfast, includes beans in Mexico. Beans in a fresh salsa are a tasty lunch or dinner option, and beans and eggs are a well-liked food pairing.  

Dried Beans Keep Well  

Due to the hot and dry climate in Mexico, dried beans are a good option for meals that can last in setting. Dry bean storage typically has its own spot in the pantry in many households. In stark contrast to the US, beans are always available, whether they are in plastic or burlap bags.US pantries frequently contain cans of beans, vegetables, and other products. 

Beans are More Affordable than Meat  

Many Mexicans struggle to afford meals since their country's minimum wage is so low in comparison to other Western nations. Although protein from animal sources may be preferable in many respects, it is more expensive than protein from beans. Thus, many people choose to make beans the main protein source in their diets. Beans are quite popular in Mexico since they are considerably more affordable and can feed a lot more people for a smaller sum of money.  

The Climate in Mexico is Ideal for Growing Beans  

Since the Maya and Aztec cultures were the ones who initially domesticated beans, they thrive in all parts of Mexico. Beans must be grown in warm or hot areas; any late cold will kill the plants. Other crops, with the exception of maize, do not do as well in dry conditions, but beans do. That explains why beans are so prevalent and well-liked in Mexico. Due to their abundance in Mexico, they play a crucial role in Mexican culture, gastronomy, history, and legacy. While living in Hong Kong, you can taste variety of Mexican Cuisine at La Vista, Mexican Restaurant & Bar.   

As a Comfort Food, Beans  

Beans cooked to perfection have a warm, earthy texture that brings back pleasant, joyful memories of moms and grandmothers feeding the kids and preparing meals alongside them in the kitchen.  

In Mexico, beans are prepared differently than they are in the United States. They begin with the bean because there are many more types there than in the US, including heirloom varieties. To make their beans more soft, Mexican chefs do not pre-soak them and season them with salt right away. Many individuals enjoy the comfort food produced using these techniques.  

Bean Cooking Teaches Patience  

Because they take at least two hours to prepare, perfecting a pot of beans needs patience from the home cook. Additionally, a lot of Mexican cooks cook their beans in earthen pots because they give the beans more flavor and make the beans creamier.  

Cooks who develop patience when preparing beans will have the endurance to withstand the ups and downs of life and become "better" people. That is, at least, the philosophy that is imparted to aspiring Mexican chefs.  

Beans Are a Healthy Addition to Many Meals  

Today, you can order beans as a side dish with numerous meals like burritos and tacos in any Mexican restaurant. In many houses, beans are the favored side dish when served with rice. Additionally, incredibly nutritious, beans increase your diet's intake of a number of vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, folate, zinc, and, of course, protein. While the nutritional content of each species of bean varies, one cup of boiling pinto beans has 15 grammes of protein and 15 grammes of fiber. Additionally, it will have up to 20% of the daily recommended intake of selenium, calcium, zinc, copper, folate, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium.  

Beans are Good for the Slow Food Movement  

Because it takes a while to prepare beans, most households keep a pot of simmering beans at the back of the stove so they are ready when the family is. The slow food movement, which got its start in Italy in 1986 as a result of McDonald's opening a restaurant in front of the Spanish Steps in Rome, goes extremely well with the method used to create slow-cooked beans. 

In Conclusion  

Not only is Mexican cuisine delicious, but it also has a long history and legacy. Mexico has a well-known cuisine all around the world. And above-mentioned are the reasons that why beans have so much importance in Mexican food. However, other options also you will get in Mexican Menu. You can visit La Vista, a Mexican Restaurant & Bar to explore the variety of Mexican food.