It seems like it’s always Fiesta time in Mexico, and this coming week is no exception. In the Yucatan, there are no less than 7 festivals dotting the peninsula, this week, and that doesn’t even count Merida, which is always a buzz with cultural celebrations. Unique in its way of combining religion and the Don of hot chiles, this event - Feria de la Flor de Chile Habanero – April 15 through April 21 is a traditional fair in honor of the Blessed Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. This is a wonderful opportunity to partake (if you have not yet) of that spicy little chile, a signature of the Yucatan.
HOW HOT?
The habanero chile (Capsicum chinense)) is one of the most intensely spicy varieties of chile peppers of the Capsicum genus. Green when unripe, they mature into many shades of orange, yellow, red, brown and pink. The Habaneros’ size belies it’s reputation. These little guys are about the size of the tip of your thumb, but pack a walloping 100,000–350,000 Scoville Heat Units. By comparison, the Jalapeno chile hits the scale at only 10 – 15,000 heat units.
Mexicans revere their chiles, and Yucatecans are especially proud of the fact that the first chiles were domesticated on this peninsula.
Hence the prestigious label: Yucatan, Origin of the Habanero Chile. But they don’t stop here. While Mexico is the largest consumer of this little fruit, its popularity will astound you. Hundreds of tons of these chiles are exported from the Yucatan all over the world. Rumour has it one Japanese company alone imports 30 tons of Habaneros every month!
WHY?
Its’ distinctive, citrusy flavor, backed by its searing heat has made it the indispensable foundation of so many Yucatan dishes. Where would we be without habaneros for our slow roasted Cochinita Pibil, our refreshing Coastal Ceviches, or for our highly revered Yucatecan Lime Soup? We’d be lost or worse… hungry. Life without our beloved chile of chiles would be dead boring.
BUT IS IT HEALTHY?
Those of us who regularly chow down on spicy foods are familiar with the rush of endorphins that happen in the brain. You could call it some kind of a high. Research has indicated that there are in fact health benefits of eating capsaicin (the chemical component that makes chiles hot) since they are also antioxidants. But one wonders how many of these little devils one would have to ingest to get those anti-cancer benefits. Capcaisin is now being used in some Arthritis pain relieving potions. One can’t help but wonder how applying the chemical of searingly hot chiles, that normally burn your skin, on your skin, actually combat pain in your joints? Apparently, it can. Local Yucatecans will tell you that if you maintain a steady diet that includes Habaneros & lime, you’re not likely to get sick, in the first place. Perhaps the intense heat of the chile and the acid of the lime are all that’s needed to render any germs defeated before they even reach your stomach!
So, this is the week Yucatecans in Halacho, just south of Merida have chosen to celebrate their beloved Don Habanero. There will be local signature dishes available in all the eateries, and lots of local colour. The Blessed Virgin will be overseeing the proceedings as Don Habanero gets his due!
To learn more about the Habanero chile, why not take a cooking class on Authentic Mexican Cuisine? In the Yucatan, at The Little Mexican Cooking School in Puerto Morelos, Chef Claudia Garcia Ramos de Celis delves into the art and science of chiles in an entertaining way. She regales curious travelers with stories of her roots in Mexico City as she demonstrates many authentic regional recipes all involving chiles, of course. At Los Dos, Merida’s premiere cooking school Chef David Sterling takes his students to the local markets to sniff out the authentic chiles and other indispensable ingredients to Yucatecan cuisine as part of his day long classes. Both schools have become highly rated and a “MUST DO” in their respective locations.
YUCATAN FESTIVALS THIS WEEK
Timucuy Fiesta 6 Day Event – April 10 through April 15
Timucuy Fiesta 6 Day Event – April 10 through April 15
Traditional County Fair
Akil Fiesta 7 Day Event – April 12 through April 18
In honor of St Ines boasting street dancing and a competition.
Halacho: Feria de la Flor de Chile Habanero – April 15 through April 21
The Blessed Virgin gives Don Habanero her blessings.
Tekal de Venegas Fiesta 5 Day Event – April 15 through 19
In honor of San Pedro
Tekax Fiesta 5 Day Event – April 18 through 22
A celebration of spring
Tahmek Fiesta 1 Day Event – April 18
To honor San Pedro apostol
No comments:
Post a Comment