Hot or Not?
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Much food served in Mexico is not “Mexican.” Eating habits, as most other customs, depend upon social class. Upwardly mobile Mexicans typically shun the corn-based indígena fare in favor of the European-style food of the Spanish colonial elite: chops, steaks, cutlets, fish, clams, omelettes, soups, pasta, rice, and potatoes.
Such fare is often as bland as Des Moines on a summer Sunday afternoon. No picante—not spicy—is how the Mexicans describe bland food. Caliente, the Spanish adjective for “hot” (as in hot water), does not, in contrast to English usage, imply spicy, or picante.
© Bruce Whipperman from Moon Puerto Vallarta, 7th edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.