Tacos - A History

The Taco. A cornerstone of traditional Mexican cuisine but what do we actually know about the Taco? Tastequest have been distributing tortillas for over 30 years and have learned a thing or two.

The Taco’s origins have been shrouded in mystery and debated for some time. One popular theory is that they were created in the 18th century. In the silver mines of Mexico, the word ‘taco’ was used to refer to the small packages of explosives they used to excavate the ores. This derives from its non-culinary meaning of “plug”, as the silver miners would plug a gap with paper wrappings filled with gunpowder to blow holes.

Another theory is that it stems from the Indigenous language of the Aztec specifically from the Nahuati word “tlahco” which means ‘half’ or ‘in the middle’. This theory may hold true as the Taco actually predates the Spanish settlers in Mexico. There is evidence that the indigenous people of Mexico traditionally ate tacos filled with fish. In one documented case, at the time of the Spanish conquistadors, the first taco meal was enjoyed by the Captains of the Spanish settlers.

Today, Tacos are regarded as one of the most beloved dishes across the world. Making its way to the United States in 1905, America eats 4.5 billion tacos a year! With this new boom, changes to the recipe began. Glenn Bell, the founder of Taco Bell, developed the hard-shell taco starting a new trend of Tex-Mex style restaurants. Today Taco bell has 7,000 restaurants and serves 2 billion customers each year. 

One of the reasons Tacos are so popular is the variety of styles and tastes they offer. You can custom make a Taco with any filling you like plus they are Gluten-free and can be eaten on the go, as a sharing dish or in high end Mexican restaurants. Mexican style restaurants have continued to grow throughout the UK as casual dining and fast food concepts. Nowadays, you don’t have to go far to find a tasty Taco! 

To get started on making yourself the perfect Taco, check out Casa Serrano’s range of Tortillas by clicking below: