Mexican cuisine influenced by Chinese ingredients

China 24

Mexican cuisine influenced by Chinese ingredient

Chamoy, a spicy Mexican condiment that’s often a mixture of sweet, sour, salt and chili, is sold in stores and markets all across Mexico – and it also has Chinese roots.

CGTN’s Franc Contreras reports.

The colorful spice is often served on fresh fruits, like tropical mangos, grown in Mexico.

Jorge Silva, a shopkeeper who has been selling condiments for years stated that chamoy began getting attention in Mexico about 30 years ago.

“This liquid chamoy comes from the northern Mexican city of Monterrey. It’s also produced in places around Mexico City,” he said.

It turns out the cullinary roots of chamoy can be traced all the way back to China.

Zihomara Chi is a nutritionist of Chinese Mexican decent. She co-owns and operates this restaurant/coffee bar in Mexico City.

“It’s known in China as see-mui. Here, in Mexico, it’s been transformed. Besides the dried fruits used in China, we add lots of sugar. So, in terms of its nutritional and caloric value, it can be problematic,” she said.