Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Did you know that Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the United States than in Mexico? Do you know the day's history?

According to Wikipedia, "Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "Fifth of May") is an annual celebration held on May 5th to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Zaragoza died months after the battle from an illness, however, and a larger French force ultimately defeated the Mexican army at the Second Battle of Puebla and then occupied Mexico City. Following the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the United States began lending money and guns to the Mexican Liberals, pushing France and Mexican Conservatives to the edge of defeat. At the opening of the French chambers in January 1866, Napoleon III announced that he would withdraw French troops from Mexico. In reply to a French request for American neutrality, the American Secretary of State William H. Seward replied that French withdrawal from Mexico should be unconditional. Celebrations began in 1862 in Columbia, California."

Cinco de Mayo gained nationwide popularity beyond those of Mexican-American heritage during the 1980s due to advertising campaigns by beer, wine, and tequila companies. Today, Cinco de Mayo generates beer sales on par with the Super Bowl.

The day grew in popularity and evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, first in areas with large Mexican-American populations, like Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and New York - followed by Cleveland, Boston, Indianapolis, Raleigh, Dallas, San Antonio, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Denver, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Tucson, San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego.

The day's popularity has also extended around the world. Some Canadian pubs play Mexican music and serve Mexican food and drinks. In the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, there is an annual Cinco de Mayo air guitar competition; and at Montego Bay, Jamaica, there is a Cinco de Mayo celebration. There are also celebrations in Brisbane, Australia; New Zealand; Cape Town, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; Paris, France; and in the Japanese cities of Osaka and Tokyo.

So which brands do you associate with today's holiday? Here are some that come to mind:

AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO

According to the brand's website, "In 2013, thousands of Mexican avocado farmers partnered with U.S. importers to form a non-profit marketing organization — Avocados From Mexico. Since then, we've been sharing the good taste, good health, and good times that only Avocados From Mexico can provide. Avocados From Mexico has doubled U.S. imports of Mexican avocados — from 1.2B pounds in 2014 to nearly 2.5B pounds in 2023. Today, more than 80 percent of avocados in American stores and restaurants come from orchards from our orchards."

JOSE CUERVO TEQUILA

According to the brand's website, "As an 11th generation, family-owned Mexican company, Cuervo was the first to farm agave for tequila production and the first to perform intensive cultivation. Jose Antonio de Cuervo founded the family business in 1758 when he bought land around Tequila and named it Solar de las Animas. The Cuervo family was granted the first license to distill by the King of Spain in 1795. Cuervo Tequila is the oldest tequila brand and one of the oldest spirits brands in the world, with the oldest distillery in the Americas called La Rojeña. That distillery is still operating and producing tequila, in the town of Tequila, Jalisco."

SHARE THIS: Each year, the Cuervo family commissions a well-known Mexico-based artist to create a special edition design in a limited quantity. #CincoDeMayo #brandstorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

CORONA BEER

According to the brand's website, "Corona beer's international expansion began in the South and Southwestern regions of the US — with American tourists returning from Mexico bringing a taste for the beer they'd enjoyed on the sunny beaches of Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta home with them. In 1979, Corona Extra was introduced in the U.S. and quickly became synonymous with the American beach and barbecue lifestyle. In the late '80s, people started asking for a more calorie-conscious beer that didn't skimp on taste — and we listened. Corona Light was introduced to U.S. customers in 1989. In 2020, we set a goal to remove 1 million pounds of plastic from our business and beaches across the country in time for our 100th birthday in 2025. In partnership with Oceanic Global, we've not only reached that goal – we've exceeded it, reaching 1.2 million pounds removed over the 5 years. (And now, celebrate America's pastime with a ceremonial first pitch and four tickets to a Major League Game.)"

TECATE BEER

According to the brand's website, "All great traditions have to start somewhere. For Cerveza Tecate, that somewhere is the town of Tecate, Baja California Mexico. Tecate signature beers have been brewed for over 60 years and continue to soar today. See how Tecate's story has unfolded in history. In 1944, Cervecería Tecate was officially born. Cervecería Tecate reached international status by beginning exporting to Asia and the US. In the US specifically, Tecate demand grew rapidly in various states including Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. In the 50's, Tecate became the second most important brand in Mexico, thanks to Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma who purchased the brewery in 1954. In 1964, Tecate launched the first ever "easy open" can in Mexico, which made a can opener unnecessary to open and enjoy a beer. This can opening design is the design still used in beer cans today. In 1994, Tecate Light became the first Mexican light beer to be made and sold in Mexico."

SHARE THIS: Tecate launched the first ever "easy open" can in Mexico, which made a can opener unnecessary to open and enjoy a beer. #CincoDeMayo #brandstorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

CINCO DE MAYO BARBIE

Mattel released a limited-edition "Cinco de Mayo" Barbie in 2006 as part of its "Festivals of the World" collection. Designed by Sharon Zuckerman, Cinco De Mayo Barbie doll wore a beautiful folkloric dress with ruffles and ribbons inspired by the colors of the Mexican flag. A traditional hairstyle with braids and festive embellishments added the final touch.

AEROMEXICO

According to the brand's website, "Beginning in 1934, Aeromexico is Mexico's global airline and has its main hub at Mexico City International Airport. Its destinations network features Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe. The Group's operating fleet is comprised of Boeing 787 and 737 jet airliners and Embraer 190 models. Aeromexico is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance which includes partners Aerolineas Argentinas, AirEuropa, AirFrance, ITA Airways, China Eastern, Delta, Garuda Indonesia, KLM, and Korean Air."

However you celebrate today, happy Cinco de Mayo!

Image Credits: Avocados from Mexico, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Corona, and Tecate.

Here's a recipe for classic guacamole:

https://avocadosfrommexico.com/recipe/guacamole/classic-guac/

Here's a recipe for black bean and avocado tostada:

https://avocadosfrommexico.com/recipe/tacos-burritos/black-bean-avocado-tostadas/

Here's a recipe for avocado chicken Waldorf salad:

https://avocadosfrommexico.com/recipe/aha-heart-healthy/avocado-chicken-waldorf-salad/