Tropical fruit is everywhere in Mexican food. Whenever you enjoy a dish with sweet or tart flavors or bright colors, that is almost always tropical fruit. Mexican food is known for its bold flavors and colorful and attractive appearance, and we have tropical fruit to thank for much of it. This month at El Tapatio, we’re celebrating tropical fruits in Mexican cuisine because National Tropical Fruit Day is coming up in just a few days on July 18th!
Let’s take a look at the areas of Mexican food where you are most likely to find tropical fruits.
Salsa and Sauce
The most popular example of tropical fruit in salsa and sauce is probably mango salsa. Pineapple and papaya are also very common. When combined with other ingredients like cilantro, chili peppers, onions, and lime juice, tropical fruits create a balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy. These flavors go with many foods, especially grilled meat and seafood.
Beverages
We’re all familiar with variations on the margarita, but tropical fruits appear in other Mexican drinks as well. Aguas frescas are fruit-based drinks that often use watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, or mango blended with water, sugar, and lime juice. Other cocktails also include tropical fruit, such as the Piña Colada, which uses coconut and pineapple.
Desserts
Tropical fruits are natural ingredients for desserts because of their naturally sweet flavors. One popular dessert is the traditional Mexican fruit salad called ensalada de frutas, which combines a variety of fruits, including tropical options like mango, pineapple, papaya, and banana. Other desserts like paletas (fruit popsicles), helado de coco (coconut ice cream), and tropical fruit tarts often feature tropical fruits as well.
Marinating and Grilling
Tropical fruits add tangy and sweet flavors to grilled meats. The sugar carmelizes to create an exquisite flavor combination. The enzymes in the fruit also break down the fibers in the meat to make it tender and infuse it with tasty fruit flavors.
Salads and Ceviche
Salads and ceviche dishes also incorporate tropical fruits. Bioica, a popular fruit salad, includes a mixture of chopped fruit, including banana, papaya, melon, and berries, topped with yogurt and granola. Ceviche compliments the delicate savory flavors of seafood with the sweet and tangy taste of fruits such as mango or pineapple.