Lonely Planet’s
World Food Mexico
by Bruce Geddes
photographer, Greg Elms

This is the first food book in a Lonely Planet series, and if you are on the food track in Mexico, this book is a “Gotta have.”

1. The culture of Mexican cuisine, history and how Mexicans eat. Learn the basic foods of the country and etiquette for different occasions.

2. Learn the basic staples and special foods, simple recipes and chiles defined. There’s two whole pages devoted to Mole!

3. Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, the details about tequila, brand-name beers described as well as a host of fruit drinks.

4. Major festivals with food are described.

5. Chocolate originated in Mexico. Read about its history and how it is made.

6. Home cooking and utencils are described as background should you miss a visit in a local home kitchen.

7. Mexico is a large country, and foods vary as to regions. Read how they vary.

8. Find maps of Mexico’s major cities.

9. Throughout find bright food photographs and handy, “Don’t Miss” sidebars featuring food you should catch in a particular area.

10. A foods markets chapter explains what you will find and how important selection is.

11. Eateries in Mexico are defined as to type and what to expect.

12. The Mexican watering holes, the pulquerias, are described with their history and role they play in Mexican communities.

13. Find valuable information on street food, mobile food and junk food.

14. Menus in Mexico are a chapter in themselves. What are the types? What the “en” prefix means.

15. A helpful section deals with particular health problems and what to be careful of when it comes to eating.

16. “Eat Your Words” is the title of the book’s language guide which is divided into four parts:

17. World Food Mexico has a handy index which makes it valuable when looking for a quick reference in a far-away land.