Food

Corn is the most fundamental ingredient of Mexican cuisine, and heirloom varieties make up far less than one percent of total domestic corn production in Mexico. But for the first time in years, many are hopeful about the crop, with some in the academic and public sectors hoping to increase its production.

Eva Longoria’s directorial debut rejoices in Chicano culture through music, mustaches, and mood. With lots of Latinos behind the screen, ‘Flamin’ Hot’ gets all the little details right. And the cumulative effect, combined with how rarely we see such care taken when depicting our community, makes the film worth watching.

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago has sent a letter to Congress requesting that at least half of the funds allocated for Puerto Rico’s Nutritional Assistance Program be directed to supporting the island’s farmers and promoting greater self-sufficiency.

Produced by the largest grassroots immigrant youth rights group, United We Dream, ‘No Borders, Just Flavors’ features young immigrants battling it out in the kitchen to see who has the better dish while sharing what their recipe means to them.

The Taco Bell story shows how Latinos can work hard, innovate, play by the rules, and maybe achieve a decent level of success, while a white guy can waltz in, take what he wants, and become a millionaire with minimal effort.

On this episode of Latino USA, Mexican chef and cookbook author Margarita Carrillo Arronte talks with host Maria Hinojosa about the rich history of her home country’s cuisine, debunking misconceptions about it, and spending a lifetime cooking, eating, and loving Mexican food. 

Avocados sell for as much as $2.50 apiece in the United States, so a single crate holding 40 is worth $100, while an average truckload is worth as much as $80,000 to $100,000. Mexico supplies about 92 percent of U.S. avocado imports, sending north over $3 billion worth of the fruit every year.

A roundup of the week’s top Latino news from around the world, written by Latino Rebels senior editor Hector Luis Alamo.

Nachos: They’re one of the most popular snack foods in the United States. But their immense popularity over the years has overshadowed the true history of the dish. On this episode of Latino USA, we tell the story of the man who unintentionally created a phenomenon.

As producers continue to suffer extortion from organized crime, and loggers continue to chop down pine forests to clear land for avocado orchards, another threat looms: campaigns for greener competition and perhaps even a boycott.

Most Mexicans in Chicago get their masa from El Milagro. But now that workers at the company are in a dispute with management, this December presents a moral dilemma concerning the tradition of making tamales for Christmas.

Latino Rebels Radio: November 18, 2021

Latino USA takes us on a journey to understand —and appreciate— mezcal’s production process and how to become a better consumer.

Life lessons are everywhere.

Hector Luis Alamo chats with guest Henry Cadena, a brand strategist and cultural researcher based in Houston, Texas

Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa sits down with Trejo to discuss his trajectory and how he’s making the most out of life these days.

Refusing to eat tacos is un-American.

In the last weeks, cases in Homestead have risen to an all-time high. Homestead is an agricultural town —just 30 miles south of Miami— that is home to a growing number of indigenous people and immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico and Haiti many of whom work in the fields and local plant nurseries. The produce they grow is essential to the nation’s food supply.

PASSAIC, NJ — Before the pandemic hit New Jersey, José Díaz used to wake up every day at 4:00 a.m. to make breakfast, and fix some lunch before heading to the local Home Depot in the city of Passaic to work. That changed when the coronavirus pandemic swept the state, and he became one of dozens standing in line at The Salvation Army Community Center in downtown Passaic to get a plate of food, and a bag of groceries that can last him for a couple of days. 

Tostada Magazine caught up with Rocky Coronado to find out how they’re using this time of uncertainty to maintain focus on what’s important to their community.

The film explores the supportive relationship between mother (Adriana López) and daughter (Fabiola López).