Why writing about Mexico’s markets?

So, the million dollar question: why writing a book about Mexico’s markets?

As an author I spend a lot of time thinking long and hard about my editorial projects, is never the case that there is nothing to talk about, quite the contrary there are so many fascinating aspects about Mexican food, so I try to follow this line of analysis:

• Which cultural practices communicate more about traditions and gastronomy?
• Why is it relevant?
• Why should people be interested in it?
• How can I make it engaging?
• What value can I personally put into this that no one else has done before?

It took me less than a minute to type down these questions from my notes but I have spent months answering them!

As you can see already, the amount of reflection and funnelling of my own life experience, my work as a researcher and storyteller have to be aligned to flow in the same direction, which not only takes a lot of brainpower it is also a deeply personal labour to create something that resonates with    a love for discovery, exploration, enjoyment, conviviality and evidently a common interest in Mexican culture and food.

The premise is that:

For many first time visitors, Mexican markets are a memorable and exhilarating experience, there is no filter or gradual approach to them, it is an overwhelming saturation to the senses but once the first wave hits, then we can notice beyond the carnival of colours, how communities interact, the social and cultural purposes that markets fulfil and how these powerhouses condense much our culinary heritage and traditions in a single basket.

But this is a rich and wonderful story that needs to be told not only through recipes but also with a narrative that is as authentic and vibrant as the past and present of Mexican markets, a challenge I am ready to take because it is a story that can enrich the lives of all those who read it. 

Your turn now, have you been to a Mexican Market? What did you make of it? And if not, have you thought about the role of markets in your city, have they changed over time?