| Keyword |
Description |
| Spice |
The strong, hot flavor you feel on your tongue when food has chiles |
| Chile |
A type of pepper that can be mild or very hot and is used to make salsa |
| Flavor |
The taste of food, like sweet, salty, or spicy |
In Mexico City, some taco places started making their salsas less spicy so tourists would not say “it’s too hot!” They use fewer spicy chiles, and sometimes add a very mild salsa so everyone feels safe when they eat their tacos. But many people in Mexico think this is a problem because spicy salsa is a big part of their food and who they are. Salsa is supposed to be fun and a little dangerous, like a game where you try a new color of salsa and see if it makes you sweat or cry.
To protect spicy salsa, the app Uber Eats made a special project called La que pica, which means “the one that stings.” Around 60 taco places in the city chose their hottest salsa and put it in a special bottle with that name. The bottle explains that this salsa is really hot and that it is okay if you sweat, say “wow!”, or even get a few tears in your eyes. The idea is that visitors can come to Mexico, enjoy tacos, and still taste the real spicy flavor that makes Mexican food unique.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Game |
Juego |
| Protect |
Proteger |
| Flavor |
Sabor |
Time to discuss
- Is food more fun when it is a little spicy?
- Should restaurants change their food for tourists?
- Would you taste La que pica or avoid it?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Describe a time when you ate something very spicy.
- Write about your favorite salsa or sauce and why you like it.
