Flavour-filled, fresh, colourful and health friendly, Mexican food is riding a wave on the British food scene.
Tasneem Alonzo, joint managing director for Lähde brand by EHL Ingredients, takes a look at what’s hot in Mexican foods and offers insights on the Mexican must-haves and new spices to stock to stay ahead of the trend.
While Brits have long been fans of nachos, burritos and fajitas, Mexican food offers a great deal more than these classic dishes. The explosion of regional Mexican style restaurants on UK high streets is testament to the interest and appetite among British consumers. Now, Brits are experimenting in the kitchen at home – and thanks to its versatility, adaptability and sharing factor, it can be personalised to suit most food preferences, diets, lifestyle choices and spice levels.
We have experienced an increase in demand for specific Mexican chillies for various Mexican foods, so our team set about sourcing and procuring the highest quality products for these six new chillies. We know Mexican food is experiencing a resurgence, due to its versatility for those looking for fresh, healthy, inexpensive, meat-free foods.
Tacos, for example, have burst onto the UK food scene, both as street food / hand-held foods, in restaurants and in the home. They’re sociable, versatile, and can be customised to the diner’s preferences and are packed with fresh vegetables, beans, proteins and crunchy salads. They’re really flying as they’re a brilliant sharing food option for both indoor and outdoor dining, sports and series viewings, games nights and gatherings in the home. They can be as healthy as you like – as they’re made with fresh ingredients and can be easily created in a meat-free or plant-based format.
Brits’ love of Mexican foods and flavours extends to the breakfast table too, especially egg-based dishes for breakfasts and brunches. Huevos Rancheros is a stand out dish, packed with colours, flavours and spices, composed of eggs, beans, cheese, sometimes meat, covered in tomato-based sauce or warmed salsa, served on a tortilla.
Breakfast burritos are another twist on a Mexican classic, and can be mixed and matched depending on taste preferences. These are a creative alternative to a full English on toast, as they can be created with scrambled eggs, beans, bacon, tomatoes, sausage all in a warmed wheat or corn tortilla wrap – and can be enjoyed in meat-free or vegetarian format with eggs, peppers, avocado, potatoes and soured cream.
EHL Ingredients is joining in the fiesta with the launch of six new Mexican chillies under its Lähde brand. The team has sourced and added six distinctive regional chillies to its portfolio available in a range of pack sizes – Pasilla from Oaxaca, chilli de arbol (bird’s beak chilli), Pequin from Tabasco, Mulato, and New Mexico Red chillies – all sourced directly from trusted producer partners across Mexico.
All are available to retailers, both online and in-store, in dried whole or ground powder format and bring unique flavours to Mexican spice blends. They can be added to adobo and barbacoa seasonings, birria, mole sauce, albondigas, tacos, as well as to eggs and breakfast dishes, soups, stews, slaws, wraps and spicy snacks.
These six new chillies will allow British consumers to create authentic Mexican dishes such as these, packed with nutrients with an eye on freshness and authenticity, to suit modern eating habits, preferences and desire for customisation.
EHL also supplies well-known chillies including ancho, chipotle, jalapeño, habanero and guajillo, as well as authentic seasonings for firm favourites such as fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, nachos, quesadillas, chilli con carne,
Ancho, Mulato and Pasilla are referred to as the holy trinity of dried chilies and now we can supply all three and more in individual format or ground and blended to create Mexican dishes diners will love, enjoy and come back for more.
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, with consumers more discerning and health-conscious than ever before, retailers need to invest in a quality selection of Mexican ingredients, including herbs and spices, to ensure they are offering innovative flavours that match current consumer demand.
The six new chillies are available now to retailers and natural product stores, as well as chefs and street food vendors and markets under the Lähde brand. All are highly versatile for use on meat, fish and seafood, vegetable and plant-based foods, and they are available in vegan, non-allergen, and organic formats.
To find out more about the full Lähde range from EHL Ingredients, visit www.ehl-ingredients.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 0161 480 7902.
