Introduction Both the Spanish and Mexican cuisines possess characteristics that are sometimes undistinguishable. The Mexican cuisine, which is identified for its numerous spices that culminates to diverse flavours, offers unbelievable palatable foods that are common globally. The Spanish cuisine on the other hand is a mix of Middle East, Greek and Phoenician foods. Although there are similarities that are evident in these communities’ cuisines, both Spain and Mexico have their own and unique culinary traditions, which its people love very much. Ingredients of Spanish and Mexican Cuisines The Spanish are known to have pride in their food for its simplicity, freshness and abundance of flavour. Most of the ingredients they use are normally found locally, and if not found locally, then regionally sourced. One of the main Spanish cuisines’ ingredients is the Spanish extra virgin olive oil. This oil is used generously whenever food is prepared to add flavour. Other ingredients that are commonly used include Pimentón de la Vera, which is smoked paprika, Jamón Iberico; ham derived from Spain’s native pigs, pepper, cheese, vinegar, roasted meats, rice or pulse (lentils, peas, beans), and different vegetables. Different from this, historically, the Mexican cuisines were made up of corn and beans for communities that lived in highlands and a diet that was primarily made up of sea food for communities that lived near the sea. After the Spanish conquest, the Mexican cuisine changed with the introduction of other key ingredients such as garlic, cheese, poultry and onions. Presently, the ingredients that were introduced by the Spanish have been integrated to form a new kind of Mexican blend of cuisine. Another ingredient that is commonly used when preparing Mexican cuisines is the chillies. To bring out the desired taste and prepare different food combinations, these two groups use different cuisine-specific methods to prepare their cuisines. Meal Times Food in Spain is cherished by most and as a result, annually Spaniards consume more food than even Americans. A typical day in Spain will begin with breakfast, which includes white coffee with pastries containing either cheese of jam. Lunch, which is normally shared among people in Spain and served in three courses, begins with beans, seafood or vegetable soup as a starter. This is normally served in large bowls together with roast chicken, fried potatoes, or fish, rabbit stew and green salads for the main meal. The amount of pepper used in their foods is milder than the amount that is used in Mexican cuisines. For dinner, most Spaniards will eat supper comprising of tortillas and soup with fresh bread. On the other hand, in Mexico, breakfast is light with coffee or hot chocolate that is accompanied with bread. The second meal is eaten mid-morning and comprises of fried tortillas, which are mainly made from corn. They are normally accompanied with a spicy sauce known as chilaquiles. Most of the foods that are served in Mexico during lunchtime are normally very spicy since they contain hot chilli pepper and cilantro, which are favourites of most Mexicans. As compared to Spain where foods are served communally, in Mexico food is served for only one person. Drinks taken with meals Spaniards normally enjoy a cap of coffee after taking their lunch, while Mexicans usu