Rich, layered mole is essentially Mexicos national dish. Like tamales or barbacoa, mole is one of the many traditional Mexican dishes thats become popular throughout the United States. So, what is mole sauce? And how do you use it?
Is there chocolate in mole? If you think that mole sauce is a chocolate sauce, well, you are not alone. People mistakenly think that mole is also a chocolate sauce, but in reality, not all mole sauce contains chocolate. You see, there are several types of mole sauces – some may contain chocolate but others don’t.
What Is Mole?Mexican mole, pronounced MOH-lay, derives from the Aztec word molli (or mulli), which just means “sauce.” It’s generally used in the U.S. to describe a particular type of sauce spiced with earthy, rich flavors. You’ll often hear it as “mole sauce,” even though that’s redundant.Chocolate is the ingredient that people most associate with mole—but there are more than 40 different forms of the sauce and they don’t all include chocolate. A properly done mole takes hours (sometimes even days) to prepare, with as many as 30 ingredients prepped individually. The ingredients are ground together into a powder or a paste that creates a seamless layering of complex flavors. In the final product, the sauce doesn’t taste like chocolate, or chiles, or garlic, or cinnamon…it tastes like mole.
Mexican Mole
FAQ
What is a mole made of?
Moles occur when cells in your skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. Most moles are made of cells called melanocytes, which make the pigment that gives your skin its natural color.
Why does mole taste like chocolate?
Rich and Earthy: The sauce has a deep, earthy flavor, often attributed to ingredients like dried chili peppers, toasted spices, and roasted nuts. Sweetness: Chocolate, traditionally dark chocolate or cocoa, is a key ingredient in mole sauce. It imparts a subtle sweetness that is balanced.
What is mole without chocolate called?
Mole verde generally does not contain chocolate; some recipes for mole rojo also leave it out. You could simply leave out the cocoa from a mole recipe, if you wish. But you don’t have to simply because you’re diabetic. Seek a recipe which uses cocoa rather than Mexican chocolate; the Googles are full of such recipes.
Is Mexican mole unhealthy?
Mole is a food unique to Mexican food culture. Not only does it demonstrate the uniqueness of Mexican food, but it also provides plenty of health benefits. Overall, most mole recipes provide a good amount of fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, thanks to the chiles, nuts, and seeds.