18 May Oaxaca was a Marvel
Just got back from a solo jaunt to Oaxaca. What a fantastic place! Even for Mexico – a country where each state already has a stunning variety of regional dishes – Oaxaca stood out. I also had the pleasure of visiting 6 different palenques where mezcal is distilled. Mezcal, tequila’s up and coming sibling, is the flavor of the month at the moment and after my visit it is easy to see why, as it’s smoky, muscular smoothness makes it good for sipping but absolutely ideal for cocktails and food pairings.
I consider myself fortunate to have had insider tours with mezcal “masters” and native oaxaqueños and now it’s time to get the band back together! Chicago Weekend Explorers is featuring a one of a kind, boutique mezcal and culture tour to Oaxaca! Beyond just tastings, we’ll explore what makes Oaxaca unique, and the culture and history of prehispanic foods and drinks like tepache and tejuino. Plus, there are the pueblos themselves… dozens of small villages brimming with artisans practicing their craft by relying on oral traditions from long long ago.
One thing that really surprised me about Oaxaca was how much different it was from other, more visited coastal states. Jalisco, home to the famous village of tequila and also the sprawling charm of Guadalajara, is a whole different vibe, that’s for sure!
Keep an eye out here for more news about Mezcal, as I am keen to start sharing my love for this most delicious and robust of beverages.
