Mexican food is found only in Mexico. The first meter south of the Mexican
border into Guatemala and the rest of central and south America do not cook
what Mexicans eat. The tortilla is even hard to find. But rice and beans,
cooking bananas and the like are plentiful. But you will not find mole...
nor enchiladas... nor tacos... nor tostadas... nor chalupas...
Cross into the northern states of Mexico and the corn tortilla is hard to
find; replaced by a wheat tortilla. And lots of beef wheras in central
Mexico beef is a rare delicacy and cabeza is the preferred pelliscados to
fill a good taco.
Mexican food is not cooked with hot chiles, as a rule. Chile sauces are on
the table for individual taste buds. The only dish that would be acceptable
as really hot, really picante, would be mole. Some regions pride themselves
in just how hot it could be. Like Texas chili, different strokes for
different folks.
Movies have shown people gasping at the picante in Mexican food. But that is
Holywood. But the legend persists. And fools go about hugging their stomach
complaining of the day after they ate Mexican food. They did not eat Mexican
food.

Wayne