Without it , a tortilla chip is just a tortilla chip , and a taco just is n’t a greaser . America ’s beloved of salsa has come a long way over the past few decade , and today many cognize it as a fresh , ever - evolving introduction that its flavourless byname — Spanish for “ sauce”—doesn’t even start to line . But while you may know the difference between pico de gallo and mole and whether you prefer it hot , mild , or medium , there ’s still a lot you believably do n’t cognize about salsa .
1. WE MAKE IT A LOT LIKE THE AZTECS DID.
Tomatoes and chilies were first naturalise in Latin America thou of years ago , and the Aztecs were the first to combine these two elements , along with a few other choice ingredients , to make what we now call salsa . In theFlorentine Codex , one of the early accounts of Aztec life , a Spanish missionary described a local salsa vendor who sold factor that are still popular today , including “ tomatoes , with smoked chile , with red-hot chilly , with yellow chile , with mild red chile sauce . ”
2 . MEXICANS see OUR SALSA EATING HABITS STRANGE .
Wolfing down bowl of salsa with chips is a strange conception for many Mexicans , who favor their salsas in mitigation . As a chef in OaxacatoldThe New York Times , “ Watching someone digger in salsa with tortilla chips is unknown to Mexicans . Like how an American would feel watch over someone drink salad snip out of the bottle . ”
3. A SYRUP MAKER PRODUCED THE FIRST COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL SALSA IN THE U.S.
The Pace family made their name producing cane molasses in Alexandria , Louisiana . After serving as a pilot film during World War II , David Pace moved to San Antonio , Texas and began manufacturing syrup , along with a few other foods like jam , salad dressing , kettle of fish , and salsa . Pace loved his chili salsa so much that he decided to jettison all other products andfocus on that alone . He called it Pace Picante , and today it ’s still one of the country ’s top - selling salsa recording label .
4. IT BECAME AMERICA’S TOP-SELLING CONDIMENT 25 YEARS AGO.
In 1991 , sales agreement of bottled salsa overtook ketchup , which came as a shock to many , including George Costanza . According to the media at the clip , this signaled Latin America ’s arriver as a major cultural influence in America . To Jerry Seinfeld , though , it was just a sign that people love to saysalsa .
5. PICO DE GALLO SALSA MEANS “ROOSTER’S BEAK SALSA.”
The displacement might vocalize odd , but this salsa miscellanea has become gravely popular in American restaurants likeChipotle . Made from tonic diced tomatoes , onion , jalapeños , and cilantro , itsname originatesfrom the traditional method of eat it with just two fingers — a motion that resemble the pecking of a cock ’s beak .
6. THE DANCE TOOK ITS NAME FROM THE SAUCE.
Salsa saltation fuse elements of Latino , Caribbean , and African saltation moves as it took physical body in seventies New York . The name , according to generator Juliet McMains , was a commercial-grade shorthand club owners and record society used to promote the music as soulful and zesty , just like the sauce .
7. THE FRENCH MAKE SALSA WITH CORNICHON PICKLES AND KETCHUP.
America is n’t the only country with its own spin on salsa . In Europe , where Latin American culinary art is beginning to grow in popularity , salsas often contain local ingredients . In Japan , meanwhile , you may feel Mexican restaurants that usekewpie mayoand shishito peppers in their salsa .
8. TACO BELL’S FIRST SALSA WAS ORIGINALLY CHILI DOG SAUCE.
Glen Bell , the ship’s company ’s father , started outserving spicy dogs and running miniature golf courses . So he was n’t exactly immerse in Mexican nutrient civilization when he opened Taco Bell . Instead of developing a young salsa for his tacos , he just transferred the sauce he used on his chili dogs . His customers , who were just as ill - versed in Mexican cuisine as he was , did n’t know the difference . It was the first of manyless - than - authentic stepsfor a company that now serve chicken biscuit tacos .
9. IT’S OFFICIALLY A VEGETABLE, ACCORDING TO THE USDA.
Back in 1998 , the U.S. Department of Agriculture made the designation , remove the means for school to employ and promote its consumption . It was yet another victory for salsa over ketchup , which tried and failedto attain the same designation during the Reagan government activity .
All paradigm via iStock .
