Cinco de Mayo: A celebration of freedom with our southern neighbors
Written by Ron Hansen
Cinco de Mayo, (Spanish: “Fifth of May”) also called Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, is a holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honor of a military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. The date came to be when in 1861, Mexico declared a temporary moratorium on the repayment of foreign debts. As a result, English, Spanish, and French troops invaded the country. By April 1862 the English and Spanish had withdrawn, but the French, with the support of wealthy landowners, remained in an attempt to establish a monarchy under Maximillian of Austria and to curb U.S. power in North America. On May 5, 1862, a poorly equipped mestizo and Zapotec force under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla, southeast of Mexico City; about 1,000 French troops were killed. Although the fighting continued and the French were not driven out for another five years, the victory at Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination. The city, which was later renamed Puebla de Zaragoza, is the site of a museum devoted to the battle, and the battlefield itself is maintained as a park. (Source: Britannica.com)
Cinco de Mayo is also known as the time to celebrate Hispanic foods, drink and culture all over the United States. In fact, it is said that May 5th is the largest day of sales for Mexican/Latin American foods in the United States and that the sales of Tequila and Mezcal more than double any other day in the of the year in the United States! I know that I am very thankful for street tacos, Carne Asada and Arroz con Pollo so let’s raise a glass to our neighbors to the south for not only running the French out but also giving us some of the best cuisine and drinks the world knows! If anyone has never had authentic street tacos then you have truly missed one of the most beautiful and impactful foods on the planet! Now, if I could only make my street tacos taste like theirs….
Don't miss the Cinco de Mayo sale at One Stop Market—15% off mezcal & tequila!
The One Stop has probably the largest selection of tequila in Fremont County and we are putting it all on sale this Wednesday, May 5th, 2021!
All in stock mezcal & tequilas will be on sale at 15% off!
Remember, the sale is on May 5th only so don’t miss it!
Mezcal vs. Tequila
Both mezcal and Tequila are made from agave, so what’s the difference between them? Basically, Tequila is a type of mezcal. While mezcal can be produced from up to 50 species of the agave plant, Tequila can be made from just one: agave tequilana Weber, or Weber blue agave. Additionally, agave that’s earmarked for Tequila is steamed in ovens, while the plant is often roasted in underground pits for mezcal, which can provide a distinctive smoky note. -Wine Enthusiast
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