Esquite and elote are two popular Mexican street foods that are quite similar. Both are made with corn, but have some key differences. In this article, we’ll explore what esquite and elote are, how they’re prepared, their similarities and differences, and whether they can be considered the same dish.
What is Esquite?
Esquite is a popular Mexican street food made of cooked corn kernels. It’s sometimes referred to as Mexican street corn. The key ingredients in esquite are:
- Corn – Either grilled or boiled corn kernels cut off the cob
- Mayonnaise – Added for creaminess and fat
- Chile powder – For heat and flavor
- Lime juice – For acidity to balance the fat
- Cotija cheese – A salty aged Mexican cheese
- Cilantro – Fresh herb for flavor
- Onion and garlic – For aromatic flavor
Additional seasonings like paprika, cumin, salt and pepper are also commonly added. The ingredients are mixed together into a scoopable salad-like consistency. Esquite is served warm or at room temperature in small cups, bowls or cones. It’s meant to be eaten with a spoon as you walk around.
Some key things that define esquite are:
- Uses corn kernels cut off the cob
- Has a loose, scoopable texture
- Includes mayonnaise for creaminess
- Features warm, south of the border spices like chile powder, cumin, garlic, onion, lime and cilantro
- Topped with grated cotija cheese
- Served warm or at room temperature in cups, bowls or cones
- Eaten on the go as finger food, without utensils
What is Elote?
Elote is also a popular Mexican street food made of corn. However, unlike esquite, it uses the whole ear of corn. The key ingredients in elote are:
- Corn – Grilled or boiled on the cob
- Mayonnaise – Spread over the corn
- Chile powder – Sprinkled on for heat
- Lime juice – Squeezed over the corn
- Cotija cheese – Grated on top
- Cilantro – Chopped fresh, sprinkled on top
As with esquite, extras like garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper are often added. What defines elote is:
- Uses the whole corn on the cob
- Grilled or boiled corn
- Slathered in mayonnaise, chile powder, lime juice, cheese and cilantro
- Eaten right off the cob
- Served warm and eaten on the go without utensils
The main difference between the two comes down to elote using the whole ear of corn, while esquite uses loose corn kernels.
Similarities Between Esquite and Elote
While they have some differences, esquite and elote do share some key similarities:
- Both feature corn as the star ingredient
- They include mayonnaise, chile powder, lime juice, cotija cheese and cilantro
- Popular as Mexican street food dishes
- Meant to be eaten on the go, without utensils
- Warm when served and eaten
- Packed with traditional Mexican flavors like garlic, onion, lime, chili powder and cilantro
- Savory, creamy, spicy, sour and full of texture
- Affordable and casual food
So while the presentation is different, the core ingredients and flavor profiles of esquite and elote are quite similar.
Differences Between Esquite and Elote
The two main differences between esquite and elote are:
- Esquite uses loose corn kernels cut off the cob, while elote uses the whole ear of corn.
- Esquite has a loose, scoopable texture, while elote is eaten right off the cob.
Some other differences include:
| Esquite | Elote |
|---|---|
| Served warm in cups, bowls or cones | Served warm directly on the corn cob |
| Eaten with a spoon | Eaten directly off the cob |
| Loose, salad-like texture | Corn on the cob texture |
So while esquite and elote share the same delicious Mexican street corn flavor, they have some inherent differences in their textures and presentation.
Can Esquite and Elote be Considered the Same Dish?
While esquite and elote do have their differences in exact preparation and presentation, they also share many similarities. So can they be considered the same dish? There are good arguments on both sides:
Arguments for Esquite and Elote Being the Same Dish
- They both highlight corn as the star ingredient
- Use almost identical seasonings and ingredients like mayo, lime, chili powder, cheese, cilantro, onion and garlic
- Have a very similar flavor profile that’s distinctly Mexican street corn
- Both are informal street foods meant to be eaten on-the-go
- Served and eaten warm
- Cost about the same on the street
Some may argue that elote is just esquite on the cob. The core ingredients and flavors are nearly identical, so they could be considered the same essential dish.
Arguments for Esquite and Elote Being Different Dishes
- They use corn in a different form (kernels vs cob)
- Have distinctly different textures and eating methods
- Their presentations are different – one eaten in a cup or bowl, the other directly off the cob
- Elote seems to highlight the grilled corn, while esquite uses more mix-ins
- Esquite has more of a “salad” vibe, while elote is more primal corn-on-the-cob
The different textures and presentations make them feel like distinctly different street food experiences. So while they share similarities, the eating experience of esquite versus elote is quite different.
Conclusion
In the end, there are good arguments for both perspectives on whether esquite and elote are the same dish. There are certainly many similarities – both are delicious Mexican street corn dishes with almost identical seasonings and ingredients. But their textures, preparation and presentation do have noticeable differences when experiencing them.
So while esquite and elote are clearly close cousins and share the same flavor DNA, they may fall just short of being considered truly the same exact dish. Their unique textures, forms and eating methods push them into their own distinct – though highly related – versions of Mexican street corn. But no matter which version you prefer, they both capture the classic delicious flavors of Mexico in an easy, fun and portable street food package.