born and bred in texas with mexican-american roots, which makes me a texican. i m exploring mexico to see how the people, their lands, and their past have shaped a culinary tradition as diverse as its 32 states. that s commitment. [laughs] jalisco has always been at the forefront of mexico s national culture. the rich tapestry of civilizations that make up mexico informs jalisco s identity and its gastronomic treasures, going all the way back to the aztecs. spiced up by invasion. but sliced and diced by a new generation of food pioneers. wow. whoo. but no culinary tour is ever complete. all: tequila, tequila! - without sampling the local beverage. in moderation, of course. [exhales deeply] ooh, ooh! [laughing] [steady music] jalisco s capital, guadalajara, is mexico s second city. it s vibrant and exciting, with t-shirt weather all year round. the locals proudly call themselves tapatíos, a nickname meaning triple the worth. you can see from the vibe here, guadalajarans
, and their past have shaped a culinary tradition as diverse as its 32 states. that s commitment. [laughs] jalisco has always been at the forefront of mexico s national culture. the rich tapestry of civilizations that make up mexico informs jalisco s identity and its gastronomic treasures, going all the way back to the aztecs. spiced up by invasion. but sliced and diced by a new generation of food pioneers. wow. whoo. but no culinary tour is ever complete. all: tequila, tequila! - without sampling the local beverage. in moderation, of course. [exhales deeply] ooh, ooh! [laughing] [steady music] jalisco s capital, guadalajara, is mexico s second city. it s vibrant and exciting, with t-shirt weather all year round. the locals proudly call themselves tapatíos, a nickname meaning triple the worth. you can see from the vibe here, guadalajarans are proud to be the face of contemporary mexico. - hola. - hola. ¿cómo estás? wendy perez has been eating her way through guadala
of indigenous and european influences. oh, my god, there s so many. - sí, claro. - this combination, known as mestizo, is at the heart of mexican cultural identity. a century ago, as the civil war had left the country destitute and divided, to unite the population, the new government promoted the ideology of mestizo. politicians, educators, and artists like diego rivera and frida kahlo came together to celebrate the birth of a nation like no other, one where european and indigenous people were rooted equally together. this movement is what helped to make mexico unique. - and what helped inspire fabián s mole. so you fry the chile. that s where the love and patience comes in? you have to do all of those? oh, my god, i ll see you in the table.
they re usually too sweet for me. - la cocina. andrea, sam, edson. - but who knows? there are so many versions of mole. maybe fabian s will be different. sí. i believe you. i believe you. he s famed for his mole dulce sauce over pork belly with a crispy skin. like mexico itself, mole is a mix of indigenous and european influences. oh, my god, there s so many. - sí, claro. - this combination, known as mestizo, is at the heart of mexican cultural identity. a century ago, as the civil war had left the country destitute and divided,