16 Facts you never knew about Mexico. No.11 has to be false!

If you’re planning a vacation to Mexico then you might want to get to know a bit more about the country you’re about to visit.

Here are 17 facts that you might not have known about Mexico (number 11 has to be false!).

1. The official name of Mexico is the United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos).

2. If you could the total area of the country Mexico is, in fact, the 13th largest nation in the world!

3. Before the Spanish conquistadores came around Mexico was ruled by the Olmec, Toltec, the Teotihuacan, the Zapotec, the Maya, and the Aztec.

4. While Spanish is the main language in Mexico there are actually 68 indigenous languages that are recognised by the government.

5. There are more than 113 million people in Mexico which means it is the most heavily populated Spanish speaking nation in the world.

6. Mexico is one of the world’s largest economies!

7. It is also the 10th largest oil producer.

8. Mexico is also the foremost provider of silver in the world.

9. Mexico is, geographically, a part of North America.

10. If you count UNESCO World Heritage sites Mexico actually has so many that it comes in sixth in the world.

11. There is a woman in Mexico who claims she is 127 years old! If this is true this would make her the oldest woman in the world, but unfortunately her birth certificate can’t be found.

12. Mexico is responsible for some of the world’s favorite foods including corn, chillies, and chocolate.

13. The USA – Mexican border is the second largest political border in the whole world.

14. Mexico city lies on the site of an ancient Aztec city called Tenochtitlán which is also sinking by
6 to 8 inches a year because it was built on the bed of an ancient lake.

15. Until September 1810 Mexico was actually a Spanish colony, and had been for around 300 years!

16. The most common surname in Mexico, as reported by the INE, is Hernández followed by de García and Martínez.

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9 Strange Things people eat in Mexico

So you think you have tried Mexican food? Well, this article will introduce you to some pretty strange delicacies that I’m sure you have not tried at your local Chili’s. Nachos and fajitas aside, Mexico’s cuisine is very varied and there are more than a few acquired tastes to experience. Take a look at the 9 strangest things people eat in Mexico. Number 7 might just make you want to vomit.

1. Grasshoppers (Chapulines)
A common delicacy in the state of Oaxaca, eating fried salty grasshoppers is as popular as munching a bag of chips back home, only probably a lot higher in protein. You can find them on various market stalls and can be eaten as a snack, or used as a garnish for guacamole or a salad. Don’t be surprised if you get spicy grasshoppers instead of peanuts with your Corona in Oaxaca!

2. Corn Fungus (Huitlacoche)
Huitlacoche or corn smut is the name of a fungal disease that affects maize. In Mexico, this dark gray/green fungus is eaten as we would mushrooms, and is used as a filling for quesadillas, soups, and sauces. It is actually quite delicious despite its appearance.

3. Fruit with Chili
Adding chili powder to our fruit might seem like a contradiction of flavors to North American or European taste buds, but adding salt and chili to fresh and dried fruit is a popular delicacy in Mexico.

4. Flying Ant Salsa
Again, in Oaxaca, flying ant salsa is a seasonal delicacy when swarms of the bug attack the area after the first rains of the wet season eat year. Chicatanas, as these flying ants are known, are cooked on a hot pan, then grinded with salt, garlic and chili to be mixed with water to create a delicious hot salsa.

5. Hot Chocolate Sauce with Chicken (Mole)
Mole is famous Mexican sauce for chicken that is made with chocolate and chilis. Although mole has a complex list of ingredients, chocolate is the primary substance and you will find that every self respecting Mexican chef (or mother) will have their own special recipe.

6. Cows Eyelids and Lips
You are often warned not to eat on the streets if you want to avoid a running tummy on vacation in Mexico, but you might not have realized that this warming could also save you from eating cows eyelids, lips and tongue. Considered a delicacy, many Mexicans will travel far to get to the taco stand serving such coveted cuisine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Check the meat that goes into your tacos first!

7. Escamoles (maggots)
Ant larvae are harvested from the cactus plant, the maguey, from which the alcoholic beverage mescal is made. Also known as insect caviar (perhaps to make its high price seem appropriate) the nutty flavor of these caterpillars-maggots complements its cottage cheese-like texture.

8. Cactus Flower Ice cream
In Mexico, you will find that ice-cream can be made out of anything, including cactus flowers. The cactus flower is known as “tuna” in Spanish (tunafish is “Atun”) and has a refreshing, sweet taste. The fruit itself is light green in color and has texture like a cucumber.

9. Worm salt
You will often find salt mixed with crushed worms and chili in places that sell mescal. You dab your slice of orange that will accompany your mescal like lemon accompanies tequila and suck on the juice before taking a shot. Some bottles of mescal come with the worm inside the bottle, and eating it is supposed to be hallucinogenic.

Add a comment below if you think you can beat this list for weird foods to try.

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