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Taco History

Taco History is a facinating subject.

A taco to the Mexican people is like a sandwich to Americans. Anything that can be stuffed, rolled or folded into a tortilla is called a taco. My friend, Ed Hackbarth, who started the Del Taco chain, comically and simply refers to himself as a "Taco Bender."

As a kid, growing up with his family, I helped them cut cheese and ready the store for business. Never did I consider that taco history really was being reinvented.

But long before Ed started his taco chain, the first tacos recorded started appearing in cookbooks about 1914. The rest they say, is history as tacos have enmeshed themselves as not just a Mexican diet, but a part of the American culture.


Corn Tortillas

Corn has been around since before 3000 B.C. eaten by both Mayan and Aztec populations. When Cortez landed in the early 1500's, he discovered that corn breads were already part of the existing diet. The Spanish renamed these flat, pounded corn breads to tortillas.

At one time in history, the Mexican diet was predominately comprised of tortillas, which are made from corn, or maize. Corn kernels are cooked with lime, enough to remove the husks and then sent through a pulverizer which grinds the corn. Today's method is much different from my ancestor's who used stones to do the intense work.


Fish Tacos

In Ensenada Mexico, fish tacos became popular in the late 1960's, but they are hardly nouveau. Years ago, at seaside ports across Europe, Mexican fisherman ate raw fish along with pounded corn breads. Fish tacos continued their popularity along fishing villages because fish was abundant.

This is no great Taco History history making event, but rather a common sense approach to eating and feeding people. Had rattlesnakes been the prevalent protein, I'd venture to say we'd be eating snake tacos by now.

Instead, we are continuing to stuff all types of fish into a tortilla. Shrimp, cod, halibut and salmon. Price and availability will guide our culinary habits as it did with my ancestors.

Click on the link above to learn more taco recipes.


Tacos Need Hot Sauce

Coyote Trail Hot Sauce is green and hot and it has a serious chile attitude.Gone are the days when hot sauce could just be hot and people would buy it. Nope. Not any more. Today, people want a hot sauce that not only has the heat, but is able to enhance food.

What better chiles to use than authentic chiles from southern New Mexico, from the Hatch Valley? This spot is the Chile Capital of The World and is renown for flavorful and delicious chile peppers. You're going to love this Hot Sauce!

You can get your Coyote Trail Hot Sauce


image blue corn tortillas

Blue Corn Tortillas

Blue Corn tortillas are not only tasty, but they are very healthy for you. Low fat, they also contain some of the same anti oxidants found in red wine (yeah). The next time you have to decide between tortillas and wine, why not choose both?

Seriously though, we've discovered that blue corn tortillas are difficult to use when making tacos. That's because they are a more dense tortilla, so my recommendation is that you leave them flat and make tostadas.

Read more about this tortilla discussion on our chicken enchilada page.


Shredded Beef Tacos

Tacos have taken on all comers when it involves the filling. Not too many flavors can compete with traditional shredded beef tacos. We show you how to make all combinations of beef tacos and if you love the delicate flavors from chicken tacos, we take you step by step and show you how to create your very own authentic tacos. Why not create your own taco history for your guests tonight? These delicious recipes are fabulous.

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