You don’t have to be a foodie to appreciate good food. And you don’t have to be a Spanish speaker to navigate the aisles of Mexican specialty foods at your grocery store, where you’ll find plenty of good eats.
The next time you need to make a grocery run, keep your eyes peeled for these six delicious Mexican imports that will up your pantry game.
1. Jarritos Fruit Sodas
Who makes it: Jarritos (which means “little jars” in Spanish) is a Mexican company established in 1950. From the start, founder Francisco Hill understood the importance of giving Jarritos a juicy, lip-smacking savor. Not only did he create the world’s first tamarind soda, but in so doing, he also developed an ingenious, innovative process for distilling the essence of the fruit. Over the next several years, he expanded to more fruit flavors, especially ones found in orchards and groves across Mexico.
Why foodies love it: What’s not to love? From mandarin to guava to hibiscus (or Jamaica, as it’s known in the U.S.), Jarritos’ bold, fruit-forward flavors and cheery colors set the brand apart from traditional sodas. So too does the company’s commitment to using only natural sugars (no high fructose corn syrup) and flavors. Even more refreshing, there’s less carbonation in Jarritos than in other popular sodas, and never any caffeine. Kids especially love the fun colors and punchy flavors.
Flavors to try: Pineapple, Mango, Strawberry, Lime, Mango, Grapefruit, Guava, Mexican Cola, Fruit Punch, Tamarind, Jamaica — heck, try all of them!
2. Ibarra Chocolate
Who makes it: Ibarra is produced by Chocolatera de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Ibarra is its best-known product with a presence throughout Mexico as well as in the Americas and parts of Europe.
Why people love it: Often found in gourmet shops, this Mexican chocolate para mesa (which means “table chocolate”) has a richer cocoa flavor than its American counterparts. Because of its undissolved granulated sugar and its rough and gritty texture, table chocolate is not meant to be eaten like a chocolate bar (although Ibarra tablets can be eaten). It is used primarily to make hot cocoa in traditional Mexican form and champurrados, a traditional Mexican chocolate drink.
3. D’Gari Gelatins
Who makes it: D’Gari makes a variety of delicious foods that have been a Mexican tradition for more than 65 years.
Why people love it: Innovative flavors that you can’t find anywhere else like Crystal — it’s transparent — and recipes such as this one keep customers coming back for more.
Mango & Strawberry Gelatin
Ingredients:
- 1 package of mango flavor D’Gari gelatin
- 1 package of strawberry flavor D’Gari gelatin
- 3.5 oz strawberries cut into slices
- 2 oz mango gummies, chilled
- 12 oz. cut peaches in syrup
- Vegetable oil
Directions:
Grease the mold for gelatin. Prepare mango gelatin according to package instructions. Place the peaches at the bottom of the mold in a circle. Pour the gelatin into the mold and refrigerate until semi-set.
Prepare the strawberry gelatin according to the package instructions. Pour a little of the strawberry flavor gelatin into the mango gelatin layer and refrigerate until semi-set.
Remove the mold from the refrigerator and arrange the rolled strawberries to your liking, pour the rest of the jelly until the mold is filled and refrigerate until it sets. Remove mold and decorate with mango gummies.
4. Cielito Chile Powder
Who makes it: Cielito Chili Powder is manufactured in Mexico by Grupo Vida, a company founded in 1982.
Why people love it: Flavors like regular, extra hot and habanero have garnered Cielto Chile Powers legions of fans north and south of the border. Use it in place of regular salt to give a unique spicy kick to guacamole, pico de gallo, salad or beans. It makes fruits and vegetables taste delicious!
5. Camaronazo
Who makes it: Novamex has been exporting authentic Hispanic, natural and organic brands to the United States and the rest of the world since 1986.
Why people love it: Camaronazo is a shrimp-based tomato juice that has three flavors: Regular, Spicy and Chelada lime. It can be used to make great-tasting foods like shrimp cocktail, ceviche and Mexican rice. Micheladas, also known as “red beer” made with spicy tomato juice, taste great when made with Camaronazo since it contains real shrimp. Another popular cocktail is called “Bloody Maria,” a delicious drink made with tequila and Camaronazo.
6. Tepachito
Who makes it: Novamex has been exporting authentic Hispanic, natural and organic brands to the United States and the rest of the world since 1986.
Why people love it: Crafted in the tradition of real authentic Mexican tepache, this non-alcoholic carbonated cider is bursting with fresh pineapple flavor plus a hint of lime and sweetened with cinnamon.
Sponsored by Jarritos, Mexico’s most popular soda brand. Jarritos is more refreshing than your average soda, thanks to the company’s longstanding commitment to using only natural sugars and flavors, such as mandarin, strawberry, pineapple, mango, lime and grapefruit. Jarritos sodas are also caffeine-free. Visit the Jarritos website to learn more about what makes their sodas super good and to find a Jarritos retailer near you.