Mexican food speaks the language of the Aztecs
Many Mexican Spanish food terms, like chocolate and avocado, originate from Nahuatl, the Aztec language, showcasing a lasting cultural fusion from ancient Mesoamerica.
Many everyday Mexican Spanish food words come from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. When Spanish colonizers arrived in 1521, they adopted Nahuatl terms for unfamiliar New World ingredients. For example, "chocolate" comes from "xocolātl" (bitter water), and "tomato" from "tomatl." Even "avocado" comes from "āhuacatl," originally meaning testicle due to its shape.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz