Gastronomy and sport
Puebla-style cemitas and lucha libre are two elements that form part of the cultural identity of the city of Puebla in Mexico. Both represent the passion, flavor, and excitement that characterize its culture.
Black and White FighterMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Mexican lucha libre
Lucha libre is an acrobatic show sport that originated in Mexico in the early 20th century. It is the Mexican version of the fusion of professional and Olympic wrestling, which has a style characterized by its folklore.
It consists of fights between two or more wrestlers, masked or not, who use wrestling techniques to try to defeat each other.
Two fighters in ringMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
There is a constant rivalry between two sides: the rudos (heels) and the técnicos (faces). The técnicos represent good and always follow the rules. In contrast, the rudos represent the forces of evil and will do whatever it takes to win, including cheating.
Ring with FightersMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Wrestlers can wager their mask against another masked wrestler (mask vs. mask) or against an unmasked wrestler (mask vs. hair).
If the masked wrestler is defeated, he loses his mask; if the wrestler was not wearing a mask, his hair is completely chopped off.
Fighters and RefereesMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
There is always a judge or referee who ensures that the wrestlers surrender to their opponent, or that when subdued, their back makes contact with the ring floor for a three-second count, thereby losing the round.
The judges are generally impartial, but there are those who take a more prominent role, as they favor the rudo wrestlers and even help them cheat in order to win.
Wrestler wearing beltMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Lucha libre is much more than a sport: it is an art form loaded with theatricality, a cultural expression, and a tradition that represents the strength, skill, and courage of the wrestlers.
Moreover, they are sometimes considered popular heroes, and their masks are a symbol of their identity and legacy.
Mask and fight souvenir shopMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Lucha libre is very popular in Mexico and in its short life an entire culture has developed around it, including masks, comic books, photo comics, toys and souvenirs, music, movies, video games, and recently television series.
Cardboard and food fightersMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Lucha libre in Puebla
Every Monday night, the people of Puebla know they have an appointment at the Arena Puebla, where thousands of spectators enjoy this sport.
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The tradition began with the construction of the Arena Puebla, which has been home to Mexican lucha libre since its inauguration in 1953 by Salvador Lutteroth González, considered the father of lucha libre in Mexico.
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Traditional Cemita PueblaMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Puebla-style cemitas
The traditional cemitas are a dish originating from the city of Puebla. They are a typical street food delicacy, large in size, whole and delicious, combining unique flavors and textures.
Secret recipe
The cemita is a sandwich, made with cemita bread (salty white bread with a round shape, typical of the state of Puebla, with a crispy crust and covered with sesame seeds).
Traditional ingredients
It may be filled with beef or chicken milanesa, quesillo (Oaxaca cheese) or fresh cheese, avocado, chipotle or jalapeño pepper, onion, olive oil, and the characteristic 'pápalo', an intensely green aromatic herb which is added raw and provides a characteristic flavor.
Ingredients of traditional Puebla cemitaMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
It can also be filled with spicy meat, pork ham, pork carnitas, or beef leg.
You can find the ingredients needed to prepare it in all the city's markets.
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It is said that cemitas originated in an old Pueblan market called 'La Victoria'.
Records show that as early as the 19th century, this cemita bread was made in the bakeries of the neighborhoods El Alto, La Luz, and Analco, and filled with aguacate criollo (an avocado with an edible thin skin), chipotle peppers in vinegar, and fresh cow cheese.
Cemitas stand inside the Puebla marketMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Puebla-style cemitas are very popular throughout the state of Puebla, especially in the capital, where they can be found in renowned establishments, restaurants, diners, and especially in all of the city's traditional markets.
Traditional markets for eating cemitas in Puebla: 'El Carmen,' 'La Acocota,' 'El Parral,' '5 de Mayo,' 'Venustiano Carranza,' and 'El Mercado de Sabores'.
This dish is a sample of the gastronomic richness of this state. It is an example of how food can express the culture and identity of a place and the fusion of local ingredients in popular cuisine.
Cemita of struggles and ingredientsMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Lucha libre cemitas
A characteristic of lucha libre cemitas, unlike the traditional cemitas described above, is that in addition to meat they contain tomato and slices of fried potatoes.
They are generally prepared in a pot with boiling oil at the bottom in the center, where the milanesa and potatoes are fried, mixing their flavors.
Once prepared, they are wrapped in a paper bag, which makes them very practical to take away, eat standing at the benches, or better yet, enjoy in the seats while watching the lucha libre show.
Cemitas of the struggles in potMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
The demand for this type of cemitas has created established businesses around the Arena Puebla that offer them every day of the week.
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In fact, in the city of Puebla, the consumption of cemitas while watching sporting events has also taken root in the 'Cuauhtémoc' soccer and 'Hermanos Serdán' baseball stadiums.
Fighter vs Cemita de las LuchasMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
The relationship between cemitas and lucha libre
For more than three decades, it has been customary to eat cemitas while enjoying the lucha libre show at the Arena Puebla. Throughout the entire show, vendors roam the aisles offering this unique food, as well as snacks and drinks.
As part of the tradition, people also consume them outside the venue at street stalls before and after the show.
Fighter eating cemita of the fightsMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
It is said that the masked wrestlers of Puebla are great fans of these cemitas, sometimes celebrating their victories at street stalls and turning them into meeting points for fans of both worlds.
Cemita de las Luchas, Ring and LuchadoresMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
The cultural impact of cemitas and lucha libre
Both cemitas and lucha libre have had a great impact on Pueblan popular culture and are recognized symbols in the center of the country.
Fighter and cemita breadMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
Puebla-style cemitas represent the gastronomic richness and regional diversity of Puebla, while lucha libre symbolizes the passion, strength, cunning, and skill of Mexicans.
Wrestler with Cemita de las Luchas and Cemita Tradicional PoblanaMuseo Casa del Mendrugo
If you visit Puebla, you should try them!
Through their history and relationship, we have been able to better understand how food and sports can be sources of inspiration, identity, and pride for a society.
Fundación Casa del Mendrugo A.C.
Alejandra Cosme Mota
Andrea García Vázquez
Brian Elias Martínez Rojas
Ronald de Jesús Cerón Tapia
Maholi Merari García
Photography
Edson Armando Méndez Albavera
Rafael Navarro Guerrero
Ronald de Jesús Cerón Tapia
Editing
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