What Makes Mexican Food Spicy? Lavista (2024)

Mexican food is known for being spicy, needless to say, because of the ingredients. This may sound silly, but the ingredients make and break the taste of food. When you are in Hong Kong and craving something that is spicy, tasty, and also gives you a tummy full experience, then nothing can be better than Mexican food. To eat theBest Mexican Food, you will have to visit La Vista, theBest Mexican Restaurant in Hong Kong,Tung Chung.

Mexican Dishes You Must Try in Hong Kong

When you are in Hong Kong, you must not say no to Mexican food. You must try the most common and truly delicious Mexican dishes like;

  • Entradas
  • Quesadillas
  • Burritos
  • Fajitas
  • Enchiladas
  • Tacos

The above mentioned are not the only Mexican food that you can have. There is a number of other dishes too. But if you want your taste buds to get transported to the beautiful streets of Mexico, then you must definitely give a try to these dishes.

Special and Spicy Mexican Dishes

The taste defines the food and when it comes to Mexican food, it has the reputation of being spicy, as already mentioned above. The wide range of spices that are added while cooking gives it subtle flavours, making it appealing, and appetizing.

Mexican food gets spicy with the addition of chilli pepper. The chilli pepper plant produces a chemical called capsaicin. This ingredient produces a spicy flavour and gives a burning sensation. This active compound in Mexican food acts as a defence mechanism as it prevents fungi and insects from invading. This substance also deters animals from eating the peppers who otherwise would grind the seeds to obliteration.

Apart from this, there are other Mexican spices that spice up the food like; cumin, black pepper, Mexican oregano, chilli powder, and others.

Mexican food like tacos, burritos, and others are as much of a favourite of people as other food types. Part of the appeal of Mexican food comes from its delicious flavour which comes from different herbs and spices.

Mexican Spices that Spice Up the Taste

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The commonly used Mexican spices can transform even the simple and cheap plant-based ingredients such as rice and beans into flavorful, and main-course-worthy dishes. Now let us see the Mexican spices that spike up the flavours of meals.

Cumin

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This is quite common in Mexican cuisines. It has also been widely used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicines because of its healing properties. It is healthy in eating because it contains a lot of iron content.

Garlic Powder

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This is an essential spice. You will see garlic in almost every Mexican dish. Even though it has a pungent flavour, it is superior in taste and adds aroma to the dish.

Cinnamon

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Chefs at La Vista use cinnamon in every Mexican dish and they call it “True cinnamon”. It comes from Sri Lanka and is often labelled as Sri Lankan cinnamon or Ceylon. Add this to any Mexican dish and its’ flavour will enhance the overall taste of the dish.

Mexican Oregano

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This oregano is different from the other normal oregano, also called Origanum Vulgare. It is native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The Mexican oregano works well with tomatoes and aromatic Mexican dishes.

Coriander

Also called cilantro, it is welcomed in any form –be it fresh or dry. This is used for Mexican favourites like salsa and guacamole.

Onion Powder

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This powder when added to the Mexican dishes gives a nice little kick to dishes. Do not overuse it because the taste of onion is too overpowering. Onion powder is also used in almost every Mexican dish like for making salsas, pasta dishes, and burrito fillings.

Chilli Powder

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These are the perfect ingredient to give the Mexican dish a spicy flavour. It has the right amount of heat and gives a great flavour and adds a great spice to Mexican food. Using just 2-3 spoons of chilli powder is enough to make your enchiladas and Fajita’s worth remembering.

Paprika

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Paprika is a red powder made by grinding dried sweet red peppers. The colour of paprika varies from bright orange-red to deep red, depending on the pepper used.

Cloves

These are warm, aromatic, and sweet in taste. It works well for all sorts of Mexican desserts. Relish any dessert, you will get the flavour of cloves in it.

Black Pepper

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This spice comes from the berries of the pepper plant. It can be found in almost any cuisine. Add this to any Mexican dish by pairing it with salt and other spices.

The Spiciest Mexican Food

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There are countless Mexican dishes but when it comes to being the spiciest, chilate de Pollo (a fiery chicken soup) and Sopa de Camarones, (a shrimp soup from Guerrero) can be termed as punishingly hot. Apart from this, bright red goat or mutton stew called birria is also very spicy.

Is Mexican Food Really Spicy?

Normally, authentic Mexican food is spicier than Tex-Mex food. The TexMex word began as an abbreviation for the Texas and Mexican Railroad. TexMex food is one that has a blend of both American and Mexican tastes.

The Tex-Mex restaurants that offer Mexican food use multiple ways to mix the veggies, and other Mexican ingredients like meat, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, cheese, tortillas, salsas, and more.

Other than TexMex food, the best part of Mexican food is that one can get the taste adjusted because the food is normally prepared by adding the fillings. One can deny the addition of certain ingredients as the heart desires.

Where to Eat the Best Mexican Spicy Food in Hong Kong?

If you visit Hong Kong, and your taste buds look for spicy Mexican food with drool-worthy Mexican drinks, thebest place to visit is La Vista, in Tung Chung. It is theBest Mexican Restaurant in Hong Kongthat serves a variety of Mexican dishes. The best part is that you can get the Mexican filling, taste, crunch, and spices of your choice.

As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in Mexican cuisine, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the table. Having explored the diverse and flavorful world of Mexican food, I can vouch for its intricacies, nuances, and the essential role that ingredients play in crafting an authentic culinary experience.

Let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article about Mexican food in Hong Kong:

1. Mexican Food in Hong Kong

a. La Vista - The Best Mexican Restaurant in Hong Kong

  • La Vista is highlighted as the best Mexican restaurant in Hong Kong, specifically in Tung Chung.
  • It's recommended as the go-to place for those craving spicy, tasty, and satisfying Mexican food.

b. Must-Try Mexican Dishes in Hong Kong

  • The article lists popular Mexican dishes available in Hong Kong, including Entradas, Quesadillas, Burritos, Fajitas, Enchiladas, and Tacos.

c. Special and Spicy Mexican Dishes

  • Emphasis is placed on the spiciness of Mexican food, attributing it to the addition of chili pepper and capsaicin.
  • The article mentions the use of various spices like cumin, black pepper, Mexican oregano, chili powder, and others to enhance flavors.

2. Mexican Spices Enhancing Flavors

a. Commonly Used Mexican Spices

  • Cumin is highlighted for its common use in Mexican cuisines and its iron content.
  • Garlic powder is noted as an essential spice found in almost every Mexican dish.
  • Cinnamon, specifically "True cinnamon" from Sri Lanka, is mentioned for enhancing overall dish flavor.
  • Mexican oregano is differentiated from regular oregano, working well with tomatoes and aromatic Mexican dishes.
  • Coriander (cilantro) is praised for its versatility and usage in favorites like salsa and guacamole.
  • Onion powder is noted for adding a kick to dishes without overpowering.
  • Chili powder is recommended for providing the right amount of heat and flavor to Mexican dishes.
  • Paprika, cloves, and black pepper are also mentioned for their roles in flavoring Mexican cuisine.

b. Spiciest Mexican Food

  • The article highlights some of the spiciest Mexican dishes, including chilate de Pollo, Sopa de Camarones, and birria (bright red goat or mutton stew).

3. Spiciness of Mexican Food

a. Authenticity vs. Tex-Mex

  • Authentic Mexican food is noted to be spicier than Tex-Mex food, which blends American and Mexican tastes.
  • Tex-Mex restaurants are described as using multiple ways to mix vegetables and other ingredients.

4. Best Place for Spicy Mexican Food in Hong Kong

a. La Vista in Tung Chung

  • La Vista in Tung Chung is recommended as the best place in Hong Kong to experience spicy Mexican food and delightful Mexican drinks.
  • It's emphasized that diners can customize their Mexican dishes according to their preferences at La Vista.

In conclusion, the article provides insights into the vibrant world of Mexican cuisine in Hong Kong, from must-try dishes to the spices that elevate their flavors. La Vista stands out as a top destination for those seeking an authentic and spicy Mexican culinary adventure in Hong Kong.

What Makes Mexican Food Spicy? Lavista (2024)
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