Traditional stalls in Mexican markets
Markets are spaces that are not only useful for buying what you need for your home, but are also places of recreation where people go to eat, listen to music, have dessert, buy clothes, gifts, get their hair dyed or their nails done. In this list you will learn about the most representative stalls that we hope will serve as a guide on your next visit.
Dried chiles
Since Mexico is the second country in the world that consumes more spice and has more than 60 varieties of chiles, this is one of the most important stalls in the markets. Furthermore, you can find a variety of spices, seeds and other dried products such as fish and shrimp of different sizes.
Fruits
Thanks to Mexico’s varied climate, it is currently possible to find a large number of fruits that range from native ones such as guava, pitahaya, pineapple, papaya, among others, to those brought by the Spanish such as apples, grapes, mangoes, citrus fruits and more.
Vegetables
In addition to common vegetables such as broccoli, potatoes, squash, cabbage and many others that can be found almost anywhere in the world, these types of stalls are very important because here you can buy local products such as nopales, squash blossoms, fresh chiles, huitlacoche (a type of fungus that grows on corn considered the Mexican truffle) and quelites.
Medicinal plants
These spaces within the markets are very interesting, as they still preserve the ancestral memory of indigenous wisdom and health care through herbal medicine. At the same time, they have become syncretism between various currents such as Catholicism, Santería and even Buddhism.
Butcher shop
We can find butcher shops in practically all countries, but in Mexico not a single part of the animal is wasted; therefore, you can find anything from fresh meat to the head, intestines, stomach, legs, tail and derivatives of different animals such as beef, pork and even lamb.
Poultry shop
When you arrive in Mexico you may wonder why chicken is yellow, this is because most of it is fed with corn of the same color, which gives it a different texture but also a very pleasant flavor.
Creamery
In addition to Mexican cheeses and other dairy products, here you can find sausages such as the traditional Mexican chorizo, groceries and even flour tortillas.
Aguas frescas
Aguas frescas are a combination of water, sugar and usually some fruit, although they can also be made from seeds, flowers and spices. These are one of those must-haves in the markets to refresh the palate!
Fishmongers
Mexico offers a great variety of fish and seafood of great quality and freshness and, although not all markets have fishmongers, many of them also have another stand that offers ready-to-eat dishes.
Food stands
If you don’t have time or don’t want to cook, here you can find a variety of options, from places that sell ready-made food by the kilo, to traditional snacks and small restaurants called fondas that offer complete meals at very affordable prices.
Flower shops
These are the most striking stands and are generally located at the entrances. In addition to decorating the markets with their aroma and color, the prices are quite reasonable.
Candy shops
They can be of two types: traditional ones, which sell candy made from fruit or seeds; and contemporary ones, with industrialized candy. They can even be a combination of both where you will always find options for sweets with chili.
If you want to know more about market stalls in Mexican markets, don’t forget to reserve your spot in one of our tours. Most of our experiences have a visit to at least one local market while you enjoy savory food and learn in the company of a professional as if they were a close friend.