A walk through the markets of Oaxaca

Oaxaca with the diversity of its eight regions and the nuances of its 570 municipalities, with visions of its 16 ethnic groups and with the rich tradition inherited from generation to generation, what can it offer us apart a party?

There is no unique Oaxacan kitchen. There are as many regions and communities; from this, the extraordinary gastronomic variety can be seen.

From the delicious simplicity of a tlayuda (huge toasted tortilla), to the baroque flavor of a black mole; from the fanciful memela (large corn tortilla), to the elegant chichilo (mole).

Cocoa, corn and chili are three of the basic ingredients of Oaxacan food. The gastronomic richness that we find in many of the towns and that goes hand in hand with the cultural and environmental richness that exists throughout the state of Oaxaca is impressive.

Let's meet the important protagonists who give life and recognition to the two most emblematic markets of the city of Oaxaca.

The Mercado Benito Juárez is one of the oldest trading centers in Oaxaca City, opened in 1894. It occupies a space with a structure that reminds you of a train station. Its roof and doors are built with iron materials, keeping traditions and culture on the inside.

You can buy a huge variety of chilis and seeds, tortillas, tlayudas (toasted tortillas), totopos (tortilla chips), tamales, cheese, meat and fish, sorbets, fresh water and tejate (corn and cacao drink), regional sweets, chocolate, chapulines (grasshoppers), hormigas chicatanas (chicatana ants) and gusanos de maguey (agave worms), as well as a variety of mezcals, fruits and vegetables, without missing the rich artisan production.

In this market are the famous Casilda waters. This post is now attended by the relatives of Doña Casilda (1910–1955), the founder, and offers us a wide variety of flavored waters.

We can choose between horchata (rice drink) with prickly pear, chilacayote (figleaf gourd), guanábana (tropical fruit), guayaba con chía (guava with chia seeds), orange with apple, coconut, grated lemon lemon rind, cucumber with lemon, tamarind and many other flavors.

Now, let's refresh your palate with the sorbet of Chaguita, cared for by the fifth generation of her relatives who proudly tell us that they have 200 years of making sorbet. We can taste sorbet of roses, sherbet, mezcal, peanut, passion fruit, elote (street corn), mamee apple, cheese, beso oaxaqueño (Oaxacan kiss liquer) and many more flavors.