Lessons from Mexico

What we’ve learned from research & development in México

We took a week long winter break to rest and digest after a super-powered year in 2024. We’ve returned with new insights and wisdom. Here’s what we took with us.

Infinite Possibilities

When we look towards indigenous practices, we see an outstanding respect for the plants. There are infinite uses for plants that we can always learn from including medicine, art, pollinators & co-growers, healers, teachers of folk, history of the land, food, the list goes on.

We went on a tour of the Botanical Garden in Oaxaca. We walked through the various climates of the state with plants from all over the region, meticulously divided. There were trees that gave names to cities, plants that change their pigment color depending on the conditions, plants that make paper and chalk for construction, and endless herbs for cooking. It reminded me that we must protect our environments as part of our culture.

Fermentation

Fermentation is the future. We’ve always relied on ferments and preserves to protect us during the less abundant seasons. Not only are they super gut and therefore immune supportive, but the complexity that the fermentation process gives is explosive and curious.

Simplicity

A simple kitchen, simple processes, simple ingredients, a simple way of being does not mean that the outcome is simple. Quite the contrary. Celebrating simple things done exceptionally well is a path to immense livelihood.

A lot of Mexican kitchens consist of a comal to heat tortillas and roast spices and a grill that’s managed with firewood. There’s not much to it, but we see so much variety come out of Mexican cuisine. This makes me wonder about all of the potentiality that I’m overlooking with our vast kitchen equipment.

Recognition of the Powers of Juice

Juicing is a multi-culturally recognized way of cleaning up the body in the morning. I always run toward the small juice stands in the local markets when I visit Latinoamérica. Green juice is the most powerful, energizing, and hydrating way to start the day, and I’m so in love everytime I see a full family consuming vegetable juice in the markets around the world.

Farming is Resistance

Growing and consuming heirloom produce is an act of resistance that preserves history, biodiversity, sensorial experience, and resilient food. Farming in general is an act of resilience, it’s a practice that our newer generations are moving away from. Upholding stories through cultivating heirloom plant varietals is a way to enliven the spirit of how we got to where we are today.

Buy Local

Shop local wherever you go. Our smaller local communities rely on us to survive and thrive. Why support a ginormous corporation when there’s the opportunity to support a small and dedication family?

Use the Whole Plant

Just as we use all of the animal, use all of the plant. Whether we’re adding cilantro stems to a sauce or making a vinegar of the residual fermentation liquid, make use of what we use. There is magic in plants and endless possibilities.