OAXACA DE JUAREZ

OAXACA DE JUAREZ IS CRADLED IN A SUN-WASHED VALLEY, FULL OF COLOUR, AND SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS. THE ZAPOTEC CULTURE IS FELT IN THE PEOPLE AND THEIR CUISINE. OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE FOOD CAPITAL OF MEXICO, IT IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO TRY ANCESTRAL RECIPES AND UNDERSTAND THE DEEP CONNECTION BETWEEN FOOD AND THE LAND. THE BLUE CORN TORTILLAS, COMPLEX MOLES, NATIVE CHILIS AND CORN, AND SMOKEY MEZCAL WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. I STAYED AT AN AIRBNB CALLED LA BUENA ESPINA IN A PERFECT MORE LOCAL LOCATION, AN AUTHENTIC OAXACA TOWNHOUSE REMODELLED BY ARCHITECT OWNER PHILLIPE.

 

THERE ARE A SO MANY PLACES TO EAT IN OAXACA, AND THE MARKETS ARE A GREAT WAY TO TASTE NEW FLAVOURS AND SEE ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS, BUT TO ME THERE ARE TWO MUST GO RESTAURANTS - HUMAR FOR SEAFOOD (IT IS WAY BETTER THAN IT LOOKS ON THEIR INSTAGRAM) AND LEVADURA DE OLLA TO REALLY UNDERSTAND ANCESTRAL RECIPES. KIYO CAFE IS PERHAPS THE MOST PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A CAFE EVER AND I WENT EVERY MORNING. TEMAZCAL CEREMONIES ARE A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TAKE PART IN ALL OVER OAXACA STATE, YET CASA LAS MASCARAS IN THE OAXACA HILLS IS DEEPLY AUTHENTIC, AND HONESTLY THAT FEW HOURS CHANGED MY LIFE.