they were very sacred to the mayans. they believed that this was a passage to the underworld. the maya define the culture of yucatán. as one of the great civilizations in central america, their influence is everywhere. this is huge! their dna runs through every local dish. - [speaking spanish] - and their ancient ways are still a source of inspiration. - let s let it burn a little bit more, and. - more? - we grind. - i m eva longoria, 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. i don t think i ve ever seen an avocado this big. - here in yucatán, there are so many great ingredients. - with searingly hot weather all year round, time moves at a slower pace in yucatán. - [speaking mayan] - when it s taken hundreds of years to build the pyramids, waiting a day for your dinner to cook is no big deal. - eight h
- oh, it s cold. it s cold. so this is called a cenote. it s a natural sinkhole. it s very unique to the yucatán peninsula. they were very sacred to the mayans. they believed that this was a passage to the underworld. the maya define the culture of yucatán. as one of the great civilizations in central america, their influence is everywhere. this is huge! their dna runs through every local dish. - [speaking spanish] - and their ancient ways are still a source of inspiration. - let s let it burn a little bit more, and. - more? - we grind. - i m eva longoria, 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. i don t think i ve ever seen an avocado this big. - here in yucatán, there are so many great ingredients. - with searingly hot weather all year round, time moves at a slower pace in yucatán. - [speaking maya
in this bewitching place, culinary wonders are conjured. there s a lot of exciting chefs coming out of this region. and oaxaca is now a mecca for food lovers in the know. so good. the gastronomic wizards here. wow. can summon so many of mexico s most iconic ingredients. have you ever seen such a rainbow of corn? it s the original string cheese. i m eva longoria, 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. nestled within three vast mountain ranges, oaxaca is so blessed with food riches. roasted chocolate. it s as if the gods themselves dined here. and for its ancient indigenous communities. [laughter] - this land and its produce is sacred. but in these parts, you ve got to work hard for your dinner. oh, my god. i mean, really hard. god, i m sweating. wish me luck. [shouts] [steady music] since pre-hispanic t
so this is called a cenote. it s a natural sinkhole. it s very unique to the yucatán peninsula. they were very sacred to the mayans. they believed that this was a passage to the underworld. the maya define the culture of yucatán. as one of the great civilizations in central america, their influence is everywhere. this is huge! their dna runs through every local dish. - [speaking spanish] - and their ancient ways are still a source of inspiration. - let s let it burn a little bit more, and. - more? - we grind. - i m eva longoria, 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. i don t think i ve ever seen an avocado this big. - here in yucatán, there are so many great ingredients. - with searingly hot weather all year round, time moves at a slower pace in yucatán. - [speaking mayan] - when it s taken hundred
in this bewitching place, culinary wonders are conjured. there s a lot of exciting chefs coming out of this region. and oaxaca is now a mecca for food lovers in the know. so good. the gastronomic wizards here. wow. can summon so many of mexico s most iconic ingredients. have you ever seen such a rainbow of corn? it s the original string cheese. i m eva longoria, 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. nestled within three vast mountain ranges, oaxaca is so blessed with food riches. roasted chocolate. it s as if the gods themselves dined here. and for its ancient indigenous communities. [laughter] - this land and its produce is sacred. but in these parts, you ve got to work hard for your dinner. oh, my god. i mean, really hard. god, i m sweating. wish me luck. [shouts] [steady music] since pre-hispanic t