A Little Food … The Anatomy (and History) of a Delicious Taco

Last updated on November 23, 2023 by Shannon

Living in Mexico these past months has meant a rekindled love affair with salsa, spicy food, and cheese. For all the reasons to love Southeast Asia, and there are many, while traveling the region I often missed the flavors and variety of cheeses I have long loved.

Travelers in Southeast Asia for any amount of time become painfully aware that it’s a cheese-less journey over there—in part because many in SEA are lactose intolerant, so they have no dairy culture.

And so, with my decision to jump continents and live here in Mexico, I have also jumped tastes, flavors, and history too.

The Global Journey of the Taco

This humble dish has traversed a remarkable journey, transcending borders and cultures. The taco, a symbol of Mexican culinary ingenuity, has not only evolved across the many Mexican states, but it has also made a significant impact globally, reshaping and adapting to new tastes and environments.

Here’s what that has looked like with a condensed focused and global lens.

The Rise of the Taco in the United States

The taco’s journey into the United States is a story of migration, adaptation, and transformation. Mexican immigrants in the early 20th century brought with them their culinary traditions, including the taco. Initially, these flavors were foreign and often marginalized in the American culinary landscape.

However, as Mexican communities grew, so did the popularity of their cuisine. The taco underwent a metamorphosis, adapting to the ingredients and palates of the American public. This evolution gave birth to variations like the hard-shell taco, a departure from the traditional soft tortillas used in Mexico.

Globalization and the Taco

The latter half of the 20th century saw the taco’s global ascent, propelled by the forces of globalization and the rise of international food chains. The taco was no longer just a Mexican or American phenomenon; it became a global icon.

From Europe to Asia, the taco was embraced, each region adding its unique twist. In places like Japan and India, local flavors and ingredients were infused into the taco, creating a fusion that mirrored the local palate.

The Taco in Popular Culture

The globalization of the taco was further amplified by its presence in popular culture. Movies, television shows, and social media have played pivotal roles in popularizing the taco worldwide.

The image of a taco is instantly recognizable and often associated with notions of fun, flavor, and casual dining. This cultural representation has helped in cementing the taco’s place in the global culinary scene.

Preserving Authenticity Amidst Change

Amidst its global journey, there has been a growing movement to preserve the authenticity and traditional methods of taco preparation in Mexico’s foodie capitals, like Mexico City and Oaxaca.

Culinary enthusiasts and chefs are delving into the roots of the taco, exploring regional variations and ancient recipes. This resurgence of interest in authentic Mexican tacos is a testament to the dish’s enduring appeal and its cultural significance.

Tortillas in Mexico

I traded the curries, soups, and noodles of Thailand for the tortillas, quesadillas, and tacos of Mexico. This new culture means a new history shaping the people I meet and the foods I eat each day.

I live next door to the tortilleria in town, a friendly shop offering fresh corn tortillas and deep-fried chips; the soft tortillas are made fresh all day and waft scent through the streets as I pass on my bike.

I pass the tortilleria every time I leave my apartment, and I glance in and give an easy wave and smile to the gruff (but sweet) man running the shop; and each time my thoughts move to the food history that makes that shop a cornerstone in this community.

Tortillas are the foundation of nearly every dish I eat here, and the history of the corn tortilla dates back hundreds of years—corn itself as a cultivated crop dating back to 3000 BC even.

But this daily bundle of joy that I hunt down all over town, the humble taco, must have its own a start point in history.

I wanted to know why modern convenience hadn’t yet stomped out the fresh tortilla makers, and why it’s a fruitless journey to locate a crunchy taco shell even though I (and I suspect many of you too, unless it’s really just me) associate crunchy shells and an almost-spicy cheese sauce with Mexican tacos.

The truth though, is that many of the modern ingredients associated with tacos: the lettuce, tomato, and beef, are thanks to that top US-based dining establishment known as Taco Bell. I kid you not, modern tortillas gained wide-spread favor outside of Mexico thanks to this fast-food chain.

How Has the Mexican Taco Changed Over Time?

Much like the fusion Italian food and flavors into the US, when Mexican migrants came stateside in the early 1900s, they brought their foods, including the taco, but had to adapt to the ingredients available in the US  markets and shops. 

And in an odd twist of fate, Mexican foods were considered a low-class until Glen Bell founded the fast-food chain, merged traditional flavors with the ingredients and foods accepted by mainstream America, and brought us the modern taco.

But one of the major changes? Since soft corn tortillas are meant to be served within hours of preparation, American fast food dictated that we fry them up so they can sit on a self for months and still taste good. I did a #facepalm when I read that bit.

And that would be why crunchy taco shells don’t pass as a blip on the radar here. Instead, just soft, fresh rounds of tortilla rolled into humble creations—the word taco referring to most anything rolled inside a tortilla (so they say, but yet we also have: enchiladas, chalupas, and quesadillas as distinctly different creations … but that is for another day).

Though it’s a Mexican street food, the taco is a source of pride for some vendors who deliver beautiful works of art to my table.

Truly gorgeous pieces of food that make me happy every time I decide to venture out for food instead of launching into a new cooking a new disaster; I’m determined to share some recipes in the coming weeks since I have a full kitchen here, so I have been testing out easy dishes in an effort not to be a kitchen klutz forever (if you’ve ever seen me dice an onion you know what true anxiety feels like).

However, until I find something I can successfully create, I head to the streets of San Pancho for fresh and pretty tacos from the restaurants and vendors.

How Old are Mexican Tacos?

Since I’m traveling solo, I have a lot of time to ponder the humble tacos placed before me, and I’ve spent long sessions with Le Google to find out more about when, how and why tortillas transitioned into handy vehicles for propelling veggies, salsa, and cheese (and meat for the carnivores) into my mouth.

A history professor with a love of food shares the best explanation on the subject; he says the taco was likely born from necessity in the 1800s by poor silver miners, and spent the next 100 years spreading through tiny towns and street food stalls throughout Mexico.

Pilcher’s longer piece in Guernica magazine makes a fascinating long read on the subject and traces the influences of the Spanish on indigenous Mexican foods and when and how they merged over the centuries.

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I feel more connected to the food and people when I understand the origins of some of their food culture. It’s one thing to go every day and sample these creations, but I love knowing what chances of history and globalization brought this dish to fruition.

In short, it was humble beginnings for tacos, a food I assumed was born alongside the tortilla, and my own country played a role. Which takes us to now, and my efforts these past two months to consume many, many tacos.

My town here is tiny, and that means there are few places left that I haven’t sampled, but with new salsas and toppings at the ready, the Mexican taco experience is different each time. More Mexican foods and culture in coming weeks, and hopefully a few good recipes too!