ACP stands for “Authentic Mexican Cuisine Project”. It is an initiative started by the Mexican government in 2010 to protect and promote traditional Mexican cuisine worldwide. The goals of ACP are to safeguard Mexican culinary traditions, support small food producers and restaurants that serve authentic dishes, and spread knowledge about real Mexican food globally. Through ACP, Mexico aims to have its traditional cuisines recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
What is Authentic Mexican Cuisine?
Authentic Mexican cuisine refers to the traditional foods and culinary practices found across Mexico. It has its roots in the diverse pre-Columbian cultures of Mesoamerica, especially the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. When the Spanish colonized Mexico in the 16th century, they introduced new ingredients and cooking techniques which blended with indigenous foods to create modern Mexican fare.
Some key characteristics of authentic Mexican food include:
– Use of native ingredients like corn, beans, tomato, avocado, squash, chili peppers, vanilla, chocolate and countless others that originated in Mexico. Corn, in particular, is central to Mexican cooking.
– Complex moles and adobo sauces made from multiple ingredients like chili peppers, spices, nuts, seeds and chocolate.
– Slow-cooked meat dishes like birria, barbacoa and mixiotes, often cooked in underground pit ovens.
– Antojitos (little cravings) – corn tortilla-based snacks like tacos, quesadillas, tlacoyos and gorditas.
– Variations like Oaxacan cuisine with its moles, Yucatecan food with influences from Mayan culture and complex northern Mexican dishes.
Why was the ACP started?
The Authentic Mexican Cuisine Project was launched for several reasons:
– Protect Mexico’s culinary traditions which were at risk of being lost. Ancient ingredients, cooking methods and recipes handed down for generations needed preservation.
– Counter the Tex-Mex and Americanized Mexican food served globally as “Mexican” cuisine. ACP aimed to showcase the diversity and sophistication of real Mexican gastronomy.
– Support small-scale farmers, food producers and family-owned restaurants making traditional fare. Their livelihoods depended on consumer demand for authentic dishes.
– Boost Mexico’s economy by promoting food tourism. International recognition of Mexican cuisine would attract more visitors and revenue.
– Address malnutrition and obesity by encouraging the consumption of Mexico’s nutritious ancient foods over processed and fast foods.
– Preserve the cultural heritage and identity embodied in Mexican cuisine. Food is an integral part of Mexico’s history, tradition and national pride.
How does the ACP work?
The Authentic Mexican Cuisine Project functions through various initiatives:
1. Certification and Designation of Authentic Restaurants
Restaurants across Mexico can apply to be certified as an authentic Mexican cuisine establishment. The certification is given out by Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism based on criteria like:
– Uses traditional cooking methods and serves indigenous ingredients
– Employs Mexican chefs well-versed in traditional cuisine
– Sources ingredients from local producers and providers
– Offers a majority of authentic Mexican dishes on the menu
Certified restaurants can use the title “Authentic Mexican Cuisine” on signboards and promotional materials. This attracts customers looking for traditional fare.
2. Cataloguing Authentic Dishes and Preparing Inventories
ACP documents traditional Mexican dishes, key ingredients, cooking processes, and origins from all 32 states of Mexico. This vast inventory preserves authentic recipes for future generations.
3. Organizing Festivals, Contests and Workshops
The project holds public events celebrating Mexican cuisine across the country and worldwide. These include food festivals, cook-offs, workshops, lectures and more. It helps promote awareness and appreciation of Mexico’s culinary heritage.
4. Publishing Articles, Books and Guides
ACP produces literature promoting the diversity of Mexican cuisine, showcasing authentic dishes and telling the stories behind the food. Free publications are distributed globally.
5. Setting Standards for Mexican Restaurants Abroad
The project works with Mexican restaurants overseas to ensure they meet standards for authentic cuisine. It provides certification, training, ingredients and other support. This helps improve the quality of “Mexican” fare served worldwide.
6. Obtaining UNESCO Recognition
ACP prepares extensive documentation about Mexican cuisine to submit for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. UNESCO recognition would further validate Mexico’s culinary traditions worldwide.
What are some authentic Mexican dishes?
Here are some examples of popular authentic Mexican dishes found across the country:
Mole Poblano – Chicken or turkey simmered in a rich, complex sauce made of chili peppers, spices, seeds, nuts, chocolate and more. It originates from Puebla.
Pozole – A hearty stew with hominy corn, meat and chili peppers. It’s topped with lettuce, radish, lime and oregano.
Tamales – Made of corn dough stuffed with fillings like meats, cheese or chilies, wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves and steamed.
Quesadillas – Grilled corn tortillas filled with cheese, meats, beans, huitlacoche (corn mushrooms) and other ingredients.
Tacos al Pastor – Marinated pork roasted on a spit, sliced and served on small corn tortillas with pineapple, onions and cilantro.
Enchiladas – Corn tortillas dipped in chili sauce, rolled and baked with stuffings like chicken, cheese, potatoes or beans.
Chiles en Nogada – Chiles stuffed with meat and fruit, topped with creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds.
Chilaquiles – Fried corn tortilla chips bathed in salsa and stewed with meat, cheese, eggs or beans.
Cochinita Pibil – Pork marinated in citrus juice and annatto spice, wrapped in banana leaves and slow roasted.
Ceviche – Raw fish or seafood “cooked” by marinating in citrus juice with onions, chilies and herbs.
Key Ingredients in Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Authentic Mexican cuisine relies on staple ingredients native to Mexico. Some of the most essential are:
1. Corn
Domesticated over 7000 years ago in Mexico, corn is ubiquitous across Mexican cooking in dishes like tortillas, tamales, pozole, esquites and more.
2. Beans
Several varieties like pinto, black, white and fava beans are used alone or with rice in tacos, enfrijoladas, soups and stews.
3. Chili Peppers
Mexico uses countless types like ancho, pasilla, guajillo, jalapeno, serrano and habanero in salsas, moles, adobos and food seasonings.
4. Tomatillo
Small green tomatoes central to iconic sauces like salsa verde, and widely used for their tart flavor.
5. Squash
Squashes like calabaza are common in ingredients in dishes from stews and soups to tacos and enchiladas.
6. Avocado
Cultivated in Mexico for over 10,000 years. Avocados are mashed into sauces or sliced as garnishes.
7. Vanilla
The vanilla orchid originated in Mexico, which still produces quality vanilla flavoring for baked goods and drinks.
8. Chocolate
Chocolate was first cultivated by pre-Columbian civilizations. It flavors sauces like Oaxaca’s mole negro.
Key cooking techniques
Some traditional cooking methods are vital to Mexican cuisine:
Nixtamalization – Corn is soaked and cooked in alkaline solutions like limewater or ash. This enhances flavor and nutrition.
Grilling – Meat and vegetables are grilled over open flames for charred flavors.
Barbacoa/Pit roasting – Meat is slow-cooked in pits with maguey leaves for tenderness.
Mole making – Complex moles require multiple ingredients toasted, ground and simmered over hours.
Tamale preparation – Time-consuming tamale making involves soaking corn husks, preparing masa, wrapping and steaming.
Molcajete grinding– Ingredients are traditionally ground to pastes and salsas in volcanic rock molcajete bowls.
Conclusion
The Authentic Mexican Cuisine Project plays a vital role in preserving Mexico’s remarkable culinary heritage and bringing its flavors to the global audience. It protects ancient food traditions while supporting those who produce traditional fare. With growing recognition of Mexico’s astonishing cuisine, ACP aims to have it declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This immense culinary tradition deserves appreciation and celebration worldwide.