Mexican desserts are often left unnoticed and forgotten. As Mexican cuisine in general is known for its spicy sauces and seasonings, many people believe that Mexican desserts are not worth their attention, but they are absolutely wrong.
Mexican desserts or postres use a lot of fresh fruits. Fruits make an important and the most ancient part of the Mexican menu. Fruits, peanuts, chocolate and vanilla used to be traditional food for Mayans and Aztecs. Mango, avocado, coconut, papaya and pineapple are still either actively used in sauces and desserts or eaten fresh. Flan is one of the most popular and traditional Mexican desserts. It is a custard based tart and as always with very traditional dishes, it has huge amount of regional variations. Moreover its recipe has been strongly influenced by the Spanish cuisine.
Ates or fruit Mexican pastes are very popular in restaurants the most famous one, for example, is the guava paste served with cream cheese and saltines. The key point in the ates is proportion. This dessert constitutes of the equal amount of sugar and fruit pulp. As for Mexican cakes they are usually nut based tarts filled with the abundance of chocolate, vanilla and fruit flavors and covered with appetizing icings.
Different variants of desserts with rice are also very popular. Rice as well as corn has played an important role in the Mexican food history.Arroz con leche or rice with milk is a simple sweet pudding, that evokes memories of home and childhood and is a highly comfort food. Dulce de leche is usually spread on bread and pastries, sometimes tortes and cakes are filled with it. Dulche de leche is a caramel made of milk, vanilla and sugar.
Sweet drinks can also be referred to the Mexican desserts. They are usually based on coffee, chocolate or mashed fresh fruits. Some drinks as rompopes and eggnogs are based on milk and eggs, that are more peculiar for European cuisine.