| Keyword |
Definition |
| Tenochtitlán |
The ancient capital of the Mexica (Aztecs), known today as Mexico City |
| Antioxidants |
A molecule found in food that helps promote rapid digestion |
| Adobe |
A traditional mud-brick home, often found in northern Mexico |
Have you ever seen the Mexican flag? In the middle, there’s an eagle eating a snake while standing on a cactus. That cactus is called a nopal, and it’s a really important plant in Mexico!
A long time ago, the Aztecs were looking for a place to build their city, Tenochtitlán. Their god told them to look for an eagle eating a snake on a nopal cactus. When they saw this sign in the middle of a lake, they knew they had found their new home. The nopal wasn’t just a plant to them — it was special. Its roots touched the underworld, its pads were like the earth, and its fruit reached up to the sky.
Nopales are tough! They grow all over Mexico, even in dry, hot places
People have eaten them for thousands of years because they are healthy and can survive tough times. Nopales are full of vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and minerals. You can eat them in salads, tacos, soups, or even as a snack.
The Aztecs used nopales for medicine too. The slimy juice inside helps heal burns, and the fruit can help people who are sick. Nopales were even used to build adobe houses and clean water!
Nopales are still super popular in Mexico today. On average, each person eats about 6.4 kilograms every year! You can find them in all kinds of foods, like grilled nopales, nopal ice cream, and even nopal tortillas.
Want to try nopales? Here’s a simple way: Grill a cleaned nopal, spread some beans on top, add your favorite veggies, cheese, lettuce, avocado, and salsa. Yum!
Nopales aren’t just food — they’re a symbol of Mexico’s strength and creativity. Next time you see a nopal, remember how important it is to Mexican history and culture!
Have you tried nopales with tomato and onion?
Discussion time
- Why do you think the nopal cactus became such an important symbol for the Aztecs and for Mexico?
- What are some ways people use nopales besides eating them?
- If you could invent a new dish using nopales, what would it be and why?
