Papalo at the Mercado
Cover image : Porophyllum ruderale in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia where it is being investigated as a potential declared weed. Before we can purchase it at the mercado it needs to be harvested; and boy howdy is it harvested (1). Papalo is one of few native Mexican herbs that retained its popularity in the face of imported plants (this will come up a little later when … Continue reading Papalo at the Mercado
Michimole : Mole Salvaje (Wild Mole)
In my Post Esquites, Tequesquite and a Witches Curse. I bring up the figure Tlazocihualpilli. Tlazocihualpilli was a Xochimilca who was the Tlatoani of the altepetl (1) of Xochimilco between the Years 12 Reed and 11 Reed (1335 – 1347). She is a semi-mythical being who, apart from being the ONLY female tlatoani to have ruled Xochimilco, and one of very few women to have … Continue reading Michimole : Mole Salvaje (Wild Mole)
Flor de cimal (?)
An interesting quelite has popped up in my feed. The flor de cimal. A reader (thank you Kellan) has asked about a (possible) quelite called flor de cimal and has noted the only reference to be found on this plant is “This small, red-leafed herb that grows at the base of the maguey – century plant – is incorporated into tamale dough in the traditional … Continue reading Flor de cimal (?)
Xochipilli. The Symbolism of Enrique Vela
6 July 1840 – 26 August 1912 : José María Tranquilino Francisco de Jesús Velasco Gómez Obregón, generally known as José María Velasco, was born in Temascalcingo (just outside Mexico City). He was a 19th-century Mexican polymath (1), most famous as a painter who made Mexican geography a symbol of national identity through his paintings (2), particularly those depicting the Valley of Mexico. Xochipilli has … Continue reading Xochipilli. The Symbolism of Enrique Vela
Esquites, Tequesquite and a Witches Curse.
Esquites are a “ Mexican snack ” composed mainly of seasoned, boiled corn kernels served in a cup. They are a well known and loved snack throughout all of México. Vendors can be found on street corners, bus stations, train stations and in mercados pumping out the most fundamental (and probably the most original) street food of all Mesoamerica. Now do you want it on … Continue reading Esquites, Tequesquite and a Witches Curse.
Mi Coleccion de Molinillo
The molinillo is a Mexican kitchen tool that may or may not be prehispanic (1). Regardless of its origin it is a classic Mexican implement and recognisable (in one form or another) by any latino. Its primary purpose is to mix hot chocolate (or atole) and to whisk up a nice foam (not in atole though). I have a small collection of these items. One … Continue reading Mi Coleccion de Molinillo
Is This Luis Amendolla?
Luis Ricardo Amendolla Gasparo, (1928-2000) or (1939-2000, see Mexican Artist : Amendolla for a little more on this) As a newbie art researcher I have been excited by my latest mystery. A few weeks ago I came across some Mexican (?) artefacts on Facebook Marketplace. The mother of the woman selling them had recently passed away and she possessed a house full of art pieces … Continue reading Is This Luis Amendolla?
Mexican Artist : Amendolla
In one of my most recent Posts, Arte Mexicano : Mi Colección, I mentioned a beautiful watercolour that had fortuitously (and somewhat synchronistically) entered my possession. The image in the painting was that of San Bernardino, a church in Xochimilco, and was by the artist Amendolla. Now my knowledge of Mexican art is really limited to the prehispanic era, although I am aware of modern … Continue reading Mexican Artist : Amendolla
Poreleaf Adjacent : San Felipe Dogweed : Adenophyllum porophylloides
I have briefly looked at this herb in my Post Papalo and Pipicha. Skunk Weed? and as it is tantalisingly close to my love papalo I would like to investigate it a little more deeply (and grow it if I can source the seed). Also called : Yerba del Venado, Coronilla, Cempasuchil sencillo, Corona de Rey, arnica, San Felipe dyssodia, San Felipe dogweed, San Felipe … Continue reading Poreleaf Adjacent : San Felipe Dogweed : Adenophyllum porophylloides
Arte Mexicano : Mi Colección
I have begun to collect Mexican art. I stumbled upon this beautifully textured oil painting in a second hand store and was immediately drawn to the bugambilia flowers (1). The aesthetics of the painting strongly suggested Mexico to me and upon further investigation I found that it was painted in Cuetzalan Puablo (sic) (1) The next piece to enter mi coleccion was a lovely watercolour. … Continue reading Arte Mexicano : Mi Colección
Masa Americana 