Tostadas: A Culinary Tapestry Unveiled
Tostadas often fly under the radar compared to the beloved taco, largely due to their lesser-known status. Sure, tacos and tostadas share similarities. But there are distinguishing features that set these favorites apart. It’s high time we shed some light on these crispy delights, with an origin story … or two. What is a Tostada? […]
Examining Sugar’s Not-So-Sweet Past
So sweet and so refined. It’s sugar, the world’s favorite sweetener. But, its history? Now, that’s less sweet. You see, when you look at sugar’s long journey into Latino’s lives, you’ll see it’s a complicated rollercoaster ride – deeply intertwined with the rise of empires, the exploitation of labor, and the global exchange of goods. […]
The Enduring, & Mysterious, Legacy of ‘Mamacita’
Before Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Jose Feliciano bursted on the holiday scene with his bilingual christmas classic “Feliz Navidad,” there was Augie Rios and his holiday hit “Mamacita (¿Dónde Está Santa Claus?).” And, thanks to business giant Amazon, “Mamacita” – which reached 47 of the Billboard charts back in 1958 upon its release – is once […]
Jose Feliciano’s Journey to ‘Feliz Navidad’
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time when beloved holiday melodies fill the airwaves and echo through department stores, bringing everyone together. And, thanks to Puerto Rican Singer/Songwriter Jose Feliciano’s catchy tune, it’s a time when everyone sings in Spanish! The tune everyone knows, loves, and is happy to sing every year […]
Discovering Peruvian New Year Traditions: An Insider’s Insight
With the countdown to New Year’s Eve ticking away, I caught up with my Peruvian friend, Christian, to uncover his country’s unique holiday traditions. Curious about his plans for the upcoming festivities, I delved into a casual, nonchalant conversation about his family’s celebratory customs. How was I supposed to know Peru had the most unique, […]
Beyond Borders: The True Story Behind Ecuador’s ‘Panama’ Hat
Lightweight. Breathable. Stylish. Those are just a few accurate words to describe the Panama hat. Plus, as any hat historian will attest, this hand-woven hat is the undisputed icon of tropical style. But whatever you do, don’t say it’s Panamanian. That would be wrong. The trendy tropical hat that is known worldwide as the Panama […]
Frida’s First Love: The Untold Story of Alejandro Gómez Arias
When it comes to Frida Kahlo, the spotlight on her personal life often shines right on her tumultuous relationship with fellow artist, and husband, Diego Rivera. Yet, before Rivera, behind the piercing self-portraits, another man played a pivotal role in Kahlo’s life: Alejandro “Alex” Gómez Arias. As proof of her eternal love for him, in […]
Pizza’s Origins Unveiled: Spain’s Coca Culinary Controversy
When it comes to the origin of pizza, the debate isn’t just about dough and toppings. It’s a historic culinary quest with many tantalizing twists. “When I tell people that Valencia invented pizza, they don’t believe me. Well, boom! This is the proof,” World-renowned Michelin Star Chef José Andrés declares on his CNN special series […]
The ñ: The history of a symbol that changed a country
It’s a symbol. It’s an icon. It’s an outcast. It’s the ñ. The controversial, and sometimes forgotten, 15th letter of the Spanish alphabet. But why does a letter with a wavy line on top garner up so much attention? One could blame it all on the ñ origin story … which would only be a […]
Bad Bunny Reigns Supreme: Billboard’s Top 10 Latin Artists of 2023 Unveiled
Over the holiday break, Billboard dropped their annual list of Latin stars who’ve been ruling the charts and the music scene in 2023. From reggaeton to regional Mexican vibes, this year’s lineup is once again diverse. Taking the crown for the fourth time straight in the 2020s is none other than the unstoppable Bad Bunny. […]
The Surprising Spanish History of Thanksgiving
Tired of the same old Thanksgiving dinner conversations? Spice things up this year by asking your friends and family where the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. If anyone says it was in 1621, at Plymouth, Massachusetts, feel free to say “Wrong!” More and more historians are pointing out that, contrary to popular belief, the first day […]
Tampa or Miami? Unraveling the Origins of Cuban Bread
Cuban bread. It’s a fairly simple bread. It’s a white, long, baguette-like loaf, similar to French bread and Italian bread. And its key ingredients are simple too: just flour, water, and a small amount of fat (often lard or vegetable shortening). But did this bread really come from the Caribbean island? And who created it? While […]