San Cristóbal: Traditional Mexican Cooking Lesson, Corn, and Pox Tasting｜Mexico

Start your culinary experience in Plaza del Cerrillo, one of the most historic and traditionally charming neighborhoods in San Cristóbal de las Casas. After a brief introduction to the concept of Iximorí, where you'll learn how corn and fire are intertwined as the pillars of Mexico's identity, you'll head with your host chef to a local market in the area. On this optional initial walk, you'll explore the lively aisles to discover the variety of fresh ingredients, native herbs, colors, and aromas that define the pantry of the Altos de Chiapas.

After selecting and learning about the raw ingredients, you'll walk to the warm and intimate cooking space located at Xelba Hostel, specially designed to encourage togetherness and collective creation. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed with a traditional drink to whet your appetite, where you can choose between the mysticism of pox (the region's artisanal distillate) or the freshness of tascalate, an ancestral drink made from corn and cocoa.

The interactive phase of the workshop begins with a hands-on immersion in the traditional techniques of Mexican cuisine, where you'll learn the corn process and prepare your own handmade tortillas from scratch using the comal. Under the chef's guidance, you'll make sauces in a molcajete, guacamoles with seasonal ingredients, and fusion dishes that achieve a unique balance by uniting the strength of northern Mexican techniques with the subtlety of southern spices and ingredients. The menu varies depending on the season to ensure maximum freshness, including dishes such as traditional tamales, quesadillas with contemporary combinations, or aromatic creams made from local vegetables.

Finally, all participants will set the table together as a group and gather to enjoy a full food tasting of the dishes created during the workshop. This three-course meal (starter, main course, and dessert) will be accompanied by fresh water and local specialty coffee, transforming the end of the activity into an enriching social evening of cultural exchange among travelers from around the world. At the end, you'll receive a digital recipe book so you can replicate these fusion techniques at home.