Pozole Facts for Kids (2024)

This page is about Pozole, the soup. For the drink, see Pozol.

Quick facts for kids
Pozole
Pozole Facts for Kids (1)
TypeSoup
Place of originMexico
Region or stateCentral Mexico
Created byNahuas
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsHominy, meat (usually pork or chicken), chile peppers, seasonings
VariationsBlanco, Verde, Rojo

Pozole ( from Nahuatl languages: pozoll , meaning "Cacahuazintle"), is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It is made from hominy with meat (typically pork, but possibly chicken), and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce or cabbage, chile peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes. Known in Mesoamerica since the pre-Columbian era, today the stew is common across Mexico and neighboring countries, and is served both as a day-to-day meal and as a festive dish.

Contents

  • Description
  • Serving
  • History
  • Gallery
  • Images for kids
  • See also

Description

Pozole can be prepared in many ways, but all variations include a base of cooked hominy in broth. Typically pork, or sometimes chicken, is included in the base. Vegetarian recipes substitute beans for the meat.

The three main types of pozole are blanco/white, verde/green and rojo/red. White pozole is the preparation without any additional green or red sauce. Green pozole adds a rich sauce based on green ingredients, possibly including tomatillos, epazote, cilantro, jalapeños, or pepitas. Red pozole is made without the green sauce, instead adding a red sauce made from one or more chiles, such as guajillo, piquin, or ancho.

Pozole is commonly served accompanied by a wide variety of condiments. Common condiments include chopped onion, shredded cabbage, sliced radish, avocado, limes, oregano, tostadas, chicharrón, and chiles.

Serving

Pozole Facts for Kids (2)

Red pozole with common accompaniments (including lime, shredded cabbage, and sliced radish) (Mexico City, 2015)

Pozole is a typical dish in various states such as Nayarit, Sinaloa, Michoacán, Guerrero, Zacatecas, Jalisco, and Morelos. Pozole is served in Mexican restaurants worldwide. It is also popular (under the older spelling posole) in the cuisine of New Mexico where it was a common dish among the Pueblo Indians residing along the Rio Grande.

Pozole is also a festive dish. In Mexico, pozole is typically served on New Year's Eve to celebrate the new year. Pozole is frequently served as a celebratory dish throughout Mexico and in Mexican communities outside Mexico. Other occasions for serving pozole include Mexican Independence Day, birthdays, Christmas and other holidays.

History

Pozole was mentioned in the 16th century Florentine Codex by Bernardino de Sahagún. Since maize was a sacred plant for the Aztecs and other inhabitants of Mesoamerica, pozole was made to be consumed on special occasions.

According to research by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (National Institute of Anthropology and History) and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, on these special occasions, the meat used in the pozole was human. After the prisoners were killed by having their hearts torn out in a ritual sacrifice, the rest of the body was chopped and cooked with maize, and the resulting meal was shared among the whole community as an act of religious communion. After the Conquest, when cannibalism was banned, pork became the staple meat as it "tasted very similar" [to human flesh], according to Bernardino de Sahagún.

Gallery

Images for kids

See also

Pozole Facts for Kids (13) In Spanish: Pozole para niños

Pozole Facts for Kids (14)

All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:

Pozole Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Pozole Facts for Kids (2024)

FAQs

Pozole Facts for Kids? ›

Similar to many Mexican dishes, the name Pozole originates from Nahuatl and has a significant history. The main ingredient in Pozole is Hominy, which is made from corn. Due to the belief that humans were made by the corn gods, in Mexican Aztec history corn was considered a sacred plant.

What are some fun facts about pozole? ›

Similar to many Mexican dishes, the name Pozole originates from Nahuatl and has a significant history. The main ingredient in Pozole is Hominy, which is made from corn. Due to the belief that humans were made by the corn gods, in Mexican Aztec history corn was considered a sacred plant.

What is pozole for kids? ›

This brothy Mexican soup is chock-full of hominy, mild dried chiles, and shredded chicken or pork. Shredded chicken and mild New Mexico dried red chiles make this soup weeknight and kid-friendly. If you want a spicier version, try adding a dried chipotle chile (or two).

Why is pozole called pozole? ›

Pozole (Spanish pronunciation: [po'sole]; from Nahuatl languages: pozolli, meaning cacahuazintle, a variety of corn or maize) is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine.

Was pozole made with human meat? ›

Since maize was a sacred plant for the Aztecs and other inhabitants of Mesoamerica, pozole was made to be consumed on special occasions. Historical texts state that the pozole of the Natives was made with sacrificed human flesh which is why it was only served on special occasions.

What country eats pozole? ›

recipes, meals and traditions I've adopted from Mexican culture, Pozole has my heart. It's one of the most satisfying stews that I know: fortifying and deeply flavorful. It was once considered sacred in certain parts of Mexico and is still often found at celebrations and holidays.

Why is pozole important to Mexico? ›

This method of cooking corn precedes the Spaniards' conquest of Mexico, and, according to the writing of historian Fray Bernardino de Sahagún, during the festivities in honor of the Aztec god Xipe, pozole was brought to emperor Moctezuma as a food offering.

Is pozole healthy or unhealthy? ›

It's a balanced dish made with nutritious ingredients that could help you lose weight, manage your blood sugar, and improve your gut health — all while being naturally gluten-free. However, it can also be high in sodium, fat, and calories. Thus, using low sodium broths and lean cuts of meat is advised.

What color is traditional pozole? ›

Pozole Rojo topped with cabbage, radishes and onions. There are three varieties of pozole with regional origins in Mexico. Rojo(red), Verde(green), and Blanco(white), and each has its unique ingredients and toppings, but all have the yummy, tender hominy.

What makes pozole so good? ›

Pozole is traditionally seasoned with dried oregano and fresh or dried chiles, and is served with condiments such as fresh cilantro, dried oregano, lime juice, diced onions, sliced radishes, avocados, shredded cabbage and tostadas.

Is pozole with S or Z? ›

First off, is it “pozole” or “posole”? Both are pronounced the same and both spellings are acceptable, the “z” being the preferred spelling in Mexico while the “s” is used more commonly in border towns and in some areas here in the States.

How old is pozole? ›

Pozole is a pre-colonial dish and it's one of the oldest dishes in Mexico since experts have found that it became part of the Mexicas' diet between 1325 and 1524. It also had a religious origin .

What are the three types of pozole? ›

Pozole can be prepared in many ways and the 3 most common types of Pozole are Rojo (red), Blanco (white), and Verde (green).

What is a fun fact about pozole? ›

Pozole was mentioned in the 16th century Florentine Codex by Bernardino de Sahagún. Since maize was a sacred plant for the Aztecs and other inhabitants of Mesoamerica, pozole was made to be consumed on special occasions.

Is pozole Aztec or Mayan? ›

Pozole is an Aztec recipe, with some substitutions. In ancient Aztec ceremonies we find this major difference. The indigenous ancestors used human flesh in the stew. Aztec priests would make human sacrifices to their gods, offering up the heart and using the rest of the flesh for a ceremonial pozole.

What is the dark history of pozole? ›

According to the Historical Research Institute of the UNAM, the pozole was prepared by pre-Hispanic cultures in a very peculiar way: a warrior had to capture an enemy of the same rank on the battlefield. Once he returned in triumph, his heart was gouged out, and the captive was skinned and dismembered for consumption.

What is good about pozole? ›

Pozole is a balanced dish rich in protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The content of some nutrients is improved during the nixtamalization process that the corn goes through.

Is pozole with an S or Z? ›

First off, is it “pozole” or “posole”? Both are pronounced the same and both spellings are acceptable, the “z” being the preferred spelling in Mexico while the “s” is used more commonly in border towns and in some areas here in the States.

Why is pozole only on weekends? ›

Menudo and Pozole are traditional dishes that are important in Mexican culture. It's time-consuming to make, so restaurants will usually only serve it on the weekends and households will only make it for special occasions or during Christmas time. Most importantly, it is said to cure any hangover.

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