Eating In Cozumel

Chocolate is sacred and local dishes are so perfect. Let's eat.

January 08, 2025

Are You Hungry?

One of my favorite parts of travel is finding new delicious food. I’m a primitive creature who seeks sun, sand, and food 😀 Today, we share the most awesome unique local meal from Cozumel, Mexico. Pardon me while I wipe my mouth.
- Cris

Cacao

Cacao, the key ingredient in milk chocolate and dark chocolate

The food of Cozumel is heavily influenced by its Mayan heritage. Cacao, for example, was believed to be “the food of the Gods.” I have to agree with that statement.

The Mayan Cacao Myth and Its Role in Society

According to Mayan mythology, cacao was gifted to humans by the gods. Specifically, the god Kukulkan (a feathered serpent deity) brought cacao to the Maya after humans were created from maize, the sacred grain. This divine origin made cacao a symbol of life, fertility, and wealth.

The Maya used cacao beans as currency and consumed it as a frothy, bitter drink mixed with spices like chili, honey, or vanilla. They called it "kakaw" and reserved it for the elite, warriors, and during sacred rituals. The frothy bubbles were so important that vessels were specifically designed to create foam, symbolizing the drink’s connection to the heavens. I wonder if modern militaries would be more successful with recruitment if they offered free chocolate every day?

Kukulkan, bringing progress, education, and technology (and cacao)

Tikin Xic

A unique specialty you will find in Cozumel is Tikin Xic (pronounced teek-in-sheek), a traditional Mayan fish dish. It’s flavorful, vibrant, and captures the essence of Cozumel’s proximity to the sea and its Mayan heritage. People who know me understand that I get a certain look on my face when experiencing pure joy from a fabulous new food. Fish is not usually that enticing to me, and so my initial impression was “fish pizza? I’ll skip the fish, thanks.” Thank goodness my friends shamed me into trying the unaltered version.

Bliss. Pure bliss.

You can make Tikin Xic in your own kitchen and save the whole TSA process.
Download the recipe.

With great beaches, perfect weather, chocolate and delicious food, Cozumel is a place everyone should experience. Happy travels.

See you next Wednesday.

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