Come visit the city that originated mole poblano, Talavera tiles, and Cinco de Mayo.
Puebla lies a couple of hours south of Mexico City and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. It is also one of the culinary hubs, because there are several classic Mexican dishes that originated here, but two most notably:
Mole Poblano
The heavenly sauce is made with nuts, chiles, spices, fruits, and chocolate. Although Mexico has a wide variety of moles, the dark mole from Puebla, usually served over chicken or turkey, is divine!
Chiles en Nogada
Only available in Mexican kitchens in September (when the main ingredients all come into season), this dish features a poblano pepper surrounding a meat/fruit/spice filling. The baked pepper is served with a sauce made from ground walnuts and garnished with pomegranate seeds, mimicking the colors of the Mexican flag—so appropriate in the month when we celebrate Mexican Independence.
And as for Cinco de Mayo, it celebrates the Battle of Puebla, a Mexican victory over French troops on 5 May 1862. Other than some small celebrations in Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is not a holiday in Mexico! It has become one in the USA thanks to the efforts of the national breweries (especially Corona) who sell Mexican beer north of the border.
Puebla offers so much to see, it's easy to spend a full week here! I encourage you to make a visit!
