Malena loves candy. And travel. And both together. And thus, this site was born.
That’s right, just like rock and roll, chocolate in Mexico enjoys a lively history - one that I felt I should share as I’m currently in Oaxaca, renowned throughout the country for its presence in the chocolate industry. Here, there are many stores, stands, and stalls where chocolate is made from cacao beans and used in drinks, sweets, and sauces of all kinds. And, of course, the strong indigenous influence in the area keeps the age-old chocolate myths close to the surface. (more…)
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Last week I spent a few quick days in Puebla, the city of angels. Before I arrived, I had done little to no research on the candy of the area and wasn’t sure what the popular local flavors were. I’d talked to many people, and everyone had complemented the dulces of Puebla, but I had no specific expections. All I knew was that there was a street filled with candy stores… not what was actually in the candy stores! (more…)
The past here in Mexico lies close to the surface. Colonial-built churches, convents and missions on seemingly every corner still influence everyday life. They contrast with the towering pyramids, mysterious statues, and pagan rituals from pre-Columbian civilizations - all of which can be seen and experienced daily in Mexico City and Cholula. And of course modern Mexico, with fast, flashy cars, high-rise buildings, and shiny, expensive, and utterly plastic shopping malls uncomfortably towers over everything. (more…)
So, I might be about to lose all respect as a candy reviewer, but I LOVE all those gummy sweets in various shapes made of disgusting corn syrup and fake fruit flavoring by General Mills. You know the type: Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Roll Ups, Gushers, etc. I can’t help myself and eat them entire boxes by the time. (As a result, I very rarely purchase them.) My sister and I once found a sale on Fruit Roll Ups - ten boxes for a cheap ten dollars! Rather than act like a rational person and get a box or two, we were tricked by the advertising and actually bought the full ten boxes, giggling like madwomen the entire time. I don’t know that I’ve EVER been so pleased with a purchase as that one. I think my share was gone within the week, but it was all a big sugar high blur. (more…)
Easter, for me, has always been synonymous with candy. Hidden Easter baskets with chocolate bunnies and jelly beans inside, yellow marshmallow Peeps (best eaten eye-first), and my personal favorite: Cadbury Cream Eggs… although I mostly just liked the sugary fondant inside. Even when I stopped celebrating the holiday itself, it still meant a package of sweets in the mail from my mom and the inevitable post-Easter candy markdown.
De Forti Dulcedo: From sweetness, strength. Celaya’s town seal bears these words, and a short walk through the city center to the numerous dulcerias and cajeta stores helps to explain why. Whether it’s the smell of goat milk boiling into a soft, creamy caramel wafting from a local cajeta factory, the many different variations on that caramel theme created and sold here, or the friendly, open residents, the place oozes sweetness. (more…)
Three days in Mexico City. It’s been a whirlwind of pyramid climbing, attempts to organize trips to candy factories (as of now unsuccessful, but I’m eternally hopeful!) and visits with distant relatives. I don’t have anything particularly insightful to say about the Mexican culture at the moment, so instead I’ll write about the different kinds of candy I’ve discovered up to now. (more…)
First, a cry for help: anyone with suggestions for places to visit or things to do in Mexico related to candy, sweets, or desserts, please leave a comment or send me an email so I can consider adding it to my itinerary! (more…)