I like to think that salsa is the soul of Mexican people and corn is our body.  We, Mexicans, are usually referred to as the ‘children of corn’ and salsa is what makes us brave.  There is a colloquial phrase in Mexico that goes ‘No que muy salsa’ which would be best translated as ‘Though you were salsa‘ that is used to question someone else’s bravery.

The fundamental ingredients of every ‘traditional’ salsa are tomatoes and chillies – two ingredients that originated in a zone that today includes Mexico.  The words chilli and tomato as we know them in English can them both trace their origins back to the Náhuatl language. Náhuatl was spoken by the Aztecs and other civilisations in Mexico.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recipes of salsa in Mexico.  Most families in Mexico, and many taco stands, have their own ‘secret’ recipes and they are passed from one generation to another.  The next generation swears with their lives that they will not disclose the salsa recipe to anyone, including their own employees.  It is not uncommon to see the taquero, the main Taco Guy, arrive at the stand with the salsa already made so the secret is safe.