Akumal Foodie

Sweet Potato or Yam: What’s the Difference?

May 31, 2023 0

To many of us the terms sweet potato and yam are interchangeable; however, they are not the same.  In fact, North Americans have been getting it wrong for generations.  They may look similar but are two entirely different species and are not even remotely related!  The true yam is part [……]

Akumal Foodie

Tomatoes

April 30, 2023 0

The tomato plant originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America.  The word tomato was derived from the Spanish word tomate which comes from the Nahuatl word tomatl.  Nahuatl was the common language of the Aztecs who ruled Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries before the Spanish conquest.  Nearly 1.5 million Mexicans still [……]

Akumal Foodie

Papaya – Delicious and Nutritious

March 31, 2023 0

Papaya (also known as papaw or pawpaw) Papaya, the fruit of the Carica papaya plant, originated in Southern Mexico and Central America but is now grown in many other parts of the world.  According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in 2013, India produced over 5 [……]

Akumal Foodie

Magical, Maya Hot Chocolate

March 31, 2023 0

Maya hot chocolate is an ancient, sacred, savory, spicey drink dense with raw cacao, cinnamon, vanilla and other warm-you-up spices. The scientific name of its main ingredient Theobroma Cacao means “food of the gods” and there are reasons for its high elevation in the ancient Maya world. This savory superfood is [……]

Akumal Foodie

Avocados: They’re Actually Healthy

February 28, 2023 0

Sometimes called alligator pear or butter fruit, avocados are nutritious, versatile, and delicious.  Some call it a fruit, some call it a vegetable, however, the avocado (Persea americana) is actually a berry.  It is a member of the Lauraceae family, which includes the cinnamon tree. Avocados are Native of Mexico [……]

Akumal Foodie

Baking 101: Mexican Flour 

February 28, 2023 0

 Mexican flour because of the way it’s milled, can be frustrating to work with if you’re used to flour in the U.S., Canada or other countries. Bakers, this column’s for you. I know you’ve had the same experience as me trying to use the white flour found on Mexico’s grocery [……]

Akumal Foodie

A Burrito to Remember

January 31, 2023 0

What makes a great breakfast burrito? Three things are crucial: the ingredients, how you fill it and the wrapping/rolling. Until a chef friend broke it down for me, though — with a live demonstration — I didn’t fully understand the subtle details involved in each of these steps. The best [……]

Akumal Foodie

La Casa del Pueblo in New Location

December 31, 2022 0

←Gonzalo’s restaurant La Casa del Pueblo is moving from near the top end of main street to its new ↓ location near the basketball court — ¡TODAY! Turn left at the Delegación building, then turn right at the end of that block.    Gonzalo’s is about 2/3 of the way up the [……]

Akumal Foodie

La Jungla Café in Akumal Norte

December 31, 2022 0

Jungla Café has finally opened!  It’s on the mangrove side of the road, across from Lunita Restaurant.  Actually, the mangrove provides the decor with always something to watch. As the sign says, it’s open from 7-3, closed on Monday.               The furnishings are beautiful [……]