What Are Chips Mexican Called? A Comprehensive Exploration of Mexican Chips
When you think of Mexican cuisine, you might immediately picture the iconic Mexican chips, known for their delicious crunch and versatility. But what are chips Mexican called? This article dives deep into the different types of Mexican chips, their origins, and how people enjoy them today. We’ll explore popular varieties like totopos, chicharrones, and duros, and uncover their significance in Mexican culture and beyond.
What Are Mexican Chips?
Mexican chips come in various forms, each with a unique name and preparation method. The most common names include totopos, tortilla chips, chicharrones, and duros. Each type offers distinct characteristics, preparation methods, and cultural significance.
Totopos: The Traditional Mexican Chip
Totopos are perhaps the most traditional and well-known type of Mexican chip. To make totopos, cooks cut corn tortillas into triangles and fry them until crispy. While many confuse totopos with tortilla chips, there’s a difference. Cooks typically make totopos fresh, offering a more rustic, authentic flavor, while tortilla chips are often mass-produced with added seasonings and preservatives.
Traditionally, people enjoy totopos with a variety of dips, such as salsa, guacamole, and frijoles. They also serve as the base for chilaquiles, a popular Mexican dish made by soaking totopos in salsa and topping them with cheese, crema, and sometimes eggs or chicken.
Tortilla Chips: A Global Favorite
Tortilla chips have become a staple in Mexican cuisine and have gained international popularity. Manufacturers typically make these chips from yellow corn tortillas, which they cut into wedges and fry. They often salt the chips, offering various flavors, from plain to spicy. Tortilla chips are perhaps most famously used in nachos, where they are topped with melted cheese, beans, jalapeños, and other ingredients.
Despite their widespread popularity, tortilla chips remain deeply connected to their Mexican roots. In Mexico, restaurants often serve them as a complimentary starter with fresh salsa or guacamole.
Chicharrones: Crispy Pork Delights
Chicharrones stand out as a popular type of Mexican chip, offering a different experience from totopos and tortilla chips. Made from fried pork skin, chicharrones deliver a rich, savory flavor and a crunchy texture. In Mexican cuisine, there are two main types of chicharrones: chicharrones de cerdo (pork skin) and chicharrones de harina (flour-based).
People typically enjoy chicharrones de cerdo with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chili powder. Vendors often sell them as street food, ready for snacking on the go. Meanwhile, chicharrones de harina come from a dough of flour and water. When fried, they puff up into light, airy chips that people often season with chili powder and lime.
Duros: Light and Airy Snacks
Duros, also known as duritos, are a unique type of Mexican chip made from wheat flour. These chips have a light, airy texture and often come in spiral or square shapes. Duros are a popular street food in Mexico, typically seasoned with chili powder, lime, and hot sauce. Their distinctive texture and flavor make them a favorite snack, especially among children.
Unlike totopos or chicharrones, duros are made from wheat instead of corn or pork, giving them a unique place among Mexican snacks. Vendors often sell them in bags at street markets, ready to enjoy with various condiments.
The History and Cultural Significance of Mexican Chips
Understanding what chips Mexican are called also means exploring their history and cultural significance. Mexican chips, especially totopos and chicharrones, have deep roots in Mexico’s culinary traditions, dating back centuries.
The Ancient Origins of Totopos
Totopos trace their origins back to the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, long before the Spanish arrived in the Americas. These early versions of totopos came from nixtamalized corn dough, a process that involved soaking the corn in an alkaline solution, usually lime water, to remove the hulls and make the corn more nutritious and easier to grind.
This process, known as nixtamalization, continues today to make masa, the dough for tortillas, tamales, and, of course, totopos. Generations have passed down the practice of making totopos, and they remain a staple in Mexican cuisine.
Totopos symbolize Mexican culture, representing the country’s rich culinary heritage and connection to its indigenous roots. They also play a key role in many traditional Mexican dishes, such as chilaquiles and enchiladas.
Chicharrones: From Survival to Snack
Chicharrones originated from the practice of using every part of the animal, a necessity for early settlers and indigenous peoples. When the Spanish introduced pork to the Americas, it quickly became a popular meat in Mexico. Rather than waste the skin, cooks fried it, creating crispy chicharrones. Over time, this humble snack grew in popularity, becoming a beloved part of Mexican street food culture.
People enjoy chicharrones not only in Mexico but also in other countries, including the Philippines, where they are known as chicharrón, and in Spain, where they originated. Each region has its version, but the essence remains the same—a crispy, savory snack made from pork skin.
The Evolution of Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips have a more recent history compared to totopos. In the early 20th century, Rebecca Webb Carranza popularized them in the United States. Carranza, who owned a tortilla factory, began cutting and frying misshapen tortillas rejected by her machines. These crispy, triangular chips quickly gained popularity, and by the 1940s, manufacturers were mass-producing and selling them across the country.
Today, tortilla chips are a staple in both Mexican and American cuisine, enjoyed with salsa, guacamole, and as the base for nachos. Despite their commercialization, they remain deeply rooted in Mexican culinary traditions.
Different Types of Mexican Chips
Mexican chips come in various forms, each offering unique characteristics and uses. Below, we explore some of the most popular types:
Totopos vs. Tortilla Chips: What’s the Difference?
Although people often use totopos and tortilla chips interchangeably, subtle differences exist between the two. As mentioned earlier, cooks traditionally make totopos from fresh tortillas, cutting them into triangles and frying them. They have a more rustic flavor and texture, often being thicker and more substantial than tortilla chips.
Tortilla chips, on the other hand, are usually mass-produced from yellow corn tortillas. They tend to be thinner and have a more uniform shape and texture. Additionally, tortilla chips are typically salted, while totopos may be served plain, allowing the accompanying salsa or guacamole to take center stage.
In Mexico, people enjoy both totopos and tortilla chips in various dishes, from simple snacks to elaborate meals like chilaquiles and nachos.
Chicharrones de Cerdo: A Pork Lover’s Delight
Chicharrones de cerdo, or pork rinds, are made from the pig’s skin, which cooks season and fry until crispy. This snack is popular not only in Mexico but also in other Latin American countries and the southern United States.
In Mexico, people often enjoy chicharrones de cerdo as a snack on their own, with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chili powder. Cooks also use them as an ingredient in dishes like chicharrón en salsa verde, where they simmer the pork rinds in a green chili sauce.
Chicharrones de Harina: A Unique Twist
Chicharrones de harina, also known as duros, come from a dough of wheat flour, water, and sometimes baking soda. When fried, they puff up into light, airy chips often seasoned with chili powder, lime, and salt.
These chips are particularly popular as a street food in Mexico, where vendors sell them in bags, enjoyed by people of all ages. Their distinctive texture sets them apart from other types of chips, and their neutral flavor makes them the perfect canvas for various seasonings.
How to Enjoy Mexican Chips
Mexican chips offer endless possibilities for enjoyment, whether as a snack, a side dish, or part of a more elaborate meal.
Classic Combinations: Chips with Salsa and Guacamole
No discussion of Mexican chips would be complete without mentioning the classic combination of chips with salsa and guacamole. This trio is a staple at Mexican restaurants and is often served as an appetizer or a party snack.
The fresh, zesty flavors of salsa pair perfectly with the creamy richness of guacamole, while the crispy chips provide the ideal vehicle for scooping up both. Whether you prefer mild or spicy salsa, traditional guacamole, or a modern twist, this combination always satisfies.
Mexican Chips in Traditional Dishes
Mexican chips also play a crucial role in many traditional dishes. One of the most popular is chilaquiles, a dish made by soaking totopos in salsa and topping them with cheese, crema, and sometimes eggs or meat. The chips absorb the flavors of the salsa while maintaining a satisfying crunch, making this a hearty and flavorful dish.
Another favorite dish is nachos, where tortilla chips are layered with melted cheese, beans, jalapeños, and other toppings before being baked. Nachos are a staple at sports bars and parties, offering a customizable dish that suits any taste.
Street Food Staples: Chicharrones and Duros
In Mexico, vendors sell chicharrones and duros on the street, offering these snacks with various condiments like hot sauce, lime juice, and chili powder. The combination of textures and flavors makes them a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.
Vendors often serve chicharrones de cerdo in large pieces, allowing you to break off portions to enjoy as you walk through the market. Duros, with their light, airy texture, are frequently sold in spiral shapes, perfect for snacking on the go.
Health Considerations
While Mexican chips are undeniably delicious, it’s essential to consider their nutritional content. Most Mexican chips are fried, meaning they can be high in fat and calories. However, they can still be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
Nutritional Value of Mexican Chips
Tortilla chips and totopos are generally made from corn, which provides fiber and essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium. Corn-based chips are also gluten-free, making them a suitable option for those with gluten sensitivities.
Chicharrones de cerdo are high in protein but also contain a significant amount of saturated fat, so they should be consumed in moderation. On the other hand, chicharrones de harina and duros are lower in fat but may contain added preservatives and artificial flavors, depending on the brand.
For those looking to enjoy these snacks in a healthier way, consider baking your chips instead of frying them or choosing varieties made with whole grains and natural ingredients.
Tips for Healthier Alternatives
If you’re looking to enjoy Mexican chips with fewer calories, try making your own at home. Baking totopos or tortilla chips instead of frying them can significantly reduce the fat content. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, or even a touch of cinnamon for a sweet twist.
For a nutritious alternative to chicharrones de cerdo, try making chicharrones de harina with whole wheat flour. This option provides more fiber and nutrients while still delivering that satisfying crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Mexican Tortilla Chips Called?
In Mexico, tortilla chips are often referred to as totopos. While totopos and tortilla chips are similar, totopos are typically made fresh and offer a more rustic flavor and texture.
What Are Chicharrones Made Of?
Chicharrones can be made from either pork skin (chicharrones de cerdo) or a flour-based dough (chicharrones de harina). The pork skin version is crispy and savory, while the flour-based version is light and airy.
Are Totopos and Tortilla Chips the Same?
Totopos and tortilla chips are similar, but they are not the same. Totopos are traditionally made from fresh tortillas and have a more authentic, rustic flavor, while tortilla chips are often mass-produced and may include additional seasonings or preservatives.
What Are Duros?
Duros are a type of Mexican chip made from wheat flour. They have a light, airy texture and are often seasoned with chili powder, lime, and hot sauce. They are a popular street food in Mexico.
How Are Mexican Chips Traditionally Served?
Mexican chips are traditionally served with various condiments, including salsa, guacamole, lime juice, and chili powder. They are also commonly used in traditional Mexican dishes like chilaquiles and nachos.
Conclusion
Mexican chips are more than just a snack—they reflect Mexico’s rich culinary heritage and its ability to innovate with simple ingredients. Whether you enjoy the classic crunch of totopos, the savory satisfaction of chicharrones, or the light, airy texture of duros, these chips offer a taste of Mexico in every bite.
Understanding what chips Mexican are called and their cultural significance provides a deeper appreciation for these popular snacks. So next time you dip a chip into salsa or sprinkle lime over chicharrones, you’ll know just how much history and tradition lie behind that satisfying crunch.
For more on crispy delights, don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Making Crispy Chicken Fritta at Home.
I’m Billy, a classically trained culinary school graduate from The Culinary Institute of America with over 12 years in the restaurant industry and over 19 years of cooking experience.