Get to know the sweet side of Jalisco

Guadalajara's favorite dessert, Jericalla, is a product of the culinary miscegenation between Europe and Mexico. Although its origin is uncertain, it is said that this light dessert was the creation of a nun who came from the region of Jérica in Spain. 

The nun worked in the care of the children at the Hospicio Cabañas, now known as the Cabañas Museum, and in her quest to create a dish for the children, she made a mixture of egg, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon that she baked in the oven.

When she forgot the mixture in the oven, she noticed that it had a sweet crust on top, a perfect touch to contrast with the smooth mixture. For more than two hundred years, the jericalla has accompanied Jalisco families with its sweet flavor. 

The sweet side of Jalisco can also be found in the flavors of the popular nieves de garrafa (Mexican sorbet).

Of Italian inspiration, nieves de garrafa were introduced to Mexico in colonial times. Their name comes from their preparation, which involves a lot of effort since they are handmade.

The preparation time lasts from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the flavor. To make it, you must place a metal bowl over a wooden bucket filled with ice and salt. The liquid mixture is stirred until it becomes ice cream.

In various regions of Jalisco, there are places where you will find an endless list of flavors, milk or water-based. There are so many, such as mamey or pitaya, to mention a few, that it will be difficult to choose just one.

Mexico is known for its wide variety of sweets treats; cocadas, borrachitos, alegrías, jamoncillos, milk sweets, among many others. In Jalisco, we can highlight the elaboration of guava rolls, myrtle candy, and Jamaica flower candy.

Guava rolls are very popular in the mountainous municipalities of Talpa de Allende, Tapalpa, and Mazamitla. You will love their cajeta (milk caramel) filling and even more if you accompany them with a glass of cold milk.

With a sweet and sour flavor, the myrtle sweet, whose plant is native to Africa and southern Europe, can be sprinkled with sugar or chile piquín.

The Jamaica candies have a solid consistency and, if you visit Chapala, you will not be able to stop tasting them. For its elaboration, the flower must be boiled, and sugar must be added. When the mixture cools, the result is this delicious candy.

You still have many desserts to taste and enjoy. We invite you to Jalisco to get to know the sweetest side of the most Mexican state.