Traveling in Mexico: Two Special Treats For You in Oaxaca
By webmaster on Jul 7, 2007 in Travel-and-Leisure
Author by : Larry M. Lynch
The state of Oaxaca is the insect-eating capitol of Mexico. About 300
species of insects are considered “edible” and more than a dozen are
consumed regularly by the Indigenous population of this state. Mostly
you’ll be offered one of two types of insects in and around the market
area; “Chapulines” and Maguey worms, which are the same worms used to
“flavor” Mescal and Tequila.
Chapulines are reddish-colored roasted or fried grasshoppers. Usually
three sizes are offered: Small – where they are so small in fact you can’t
even tell what they are. They simply look like a reddish powder of some
type. This might be the best way to start off if you’d like to try
them. “Free” samples are offered, typically by Indian girls or women, in
hopes you’ll like them and buy some. Medium – larger and recognizable if
you look at them closely. Frequently seasoned with lemon or lime juice and
placed in a plastic bag for you to carry and munch on at your
leisure. Large – nearly adult sized and definitely recognizable. Not for
the faint of heart! But at whatever size you choose, bite the bullet and
try them! They’re actually pretty tasty! (Honest !)
Maguey worms are used in mescals and tequilas. They live on and eat Maguey
cactus which is the same one whose liquid is fermented and processed to
make mescal. Worms are typically about an inch or so in length and about a
quarter inch in diameter. They are also edible when fried or roasted and
can be purchased in both forms at the market, usually sold by native Indian women
in their brightly colored native dress. If you’d like to try a sample,
there’s no charge, in hopes you’ll like the nutty taste of the sample and
make a purchase of more. Dried or roasted they can be added to mescal to
impart extra flavor to the liquor. Again, you should take the plunge and
buy a few. If you don’t try them (they’re crunchy like unsalted,
nut-flavored pretzels) you can always put them in the bottle or two of
mescal you’ll buy while you’re here in Oaxaca.
Bon Appetite!
Be sure to check out my other articles in the two continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed; see address below.
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Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com |
[tags]Mexico, travel, Oaxaca, tequila, mescal, maguey, insects, grasshoppers, worms, cactus, Larry Lynch[/tags]
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