Ordering Off The Menu In Cancun Part 5

By now, you should have a fairly good idea of a few dishes to order while in Cancun. Be sure to sample the many varieties of tamale; banana, pork, chicken, honey and so on. Try the ones from street vendors, as they are the most authentic. How about pescado tikik-chik, a fresh fillet of fish marinated in citrus juices, covered in annatto seed paste, wrapped in palm fronds and roasted over an open flame? The annatto seed paste gives the fish a sweet nutty flavor and turns the meat magenta; along with citrus flavors it is an amazing dish and definitely not to be missed. Of course, any restaurant menu in Cancun will have their own selection of traditional soups and stews to choose from. Try puchero, a three-meat home cooked stew reserved for Sunday family meals. First, read on about some of the Cancun beverages that will go with your meal!

Cafe de Olla

There is an old Turkish proverb that says "coffee should be as black as night, as strong as death and as sweet as love". Cafe de Olla is a perfect illustration of that statement. An earthenware pot is selected and the strong espresso is made and consumed as a traditional all-day beverage. Viola, a great blend is created with the addition of cinnamon, cloves and a lot of raw brown sugar! One could even surmise that Cafe de Olla is a great statement of the characteristics of Cancun cuisine: slightly spicy, earthy, and sweet.

Xtabentun

Xtabentun is an ancient Mayan liqueur made from the anise seed and fermented honey. When the Spanish were in Mexico, they didn't like the taste of the beverage and began the tradition of added rum. Sometimes Xtabentun is referred to as distilled honey, which is incorrect. No distillation is necessary as the honey ferments to create alcohol. Today, the liqueur is served over ice with a bit of honey or in coffee to create 'Mayan coffee'. Mixing one ounce of Xtabentun with an ounce of tequila is also a popular drink, however adding just a bit of lime and the beverage becomes a 'Mayan margarita'.

Horchata

Now here is a drink for the kids. Made with ground up rice, milk, vanilla and cinnamon, Agua de horchata is very much like a Mexican milkshake. It is served ice cold, sweet and is most refreshing on after a hot day at the beach.

For now that is about it. A complete detailing of the vast array of drinks available in the Yucatan region is not on offer here, just a short survey. However, at least now you will know how and what to order off those Cancun menus.

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