Around 400 yearsings ago, a Spanish Nobleman Set Sail for the new world. His name, lorenzo longoria. My ancestors arrival changed history, creating Modern Mexico and a gateway between it and the rest of the world. Everything started here. Its also the cradle of mexican gastronomy because all ingredients landed in this spot. And all the ingredients in mexico left from here, chocolate, vanilla, the tomato. Can you imagine italian cuisine without the tomato, or french pastry without chocolate and vanilla . Impossible. The people of veracruz took this Treasure Trove of ingredients passing in and out of the port and created a whole new cuisine. Sp [ speaking nonenglish ]. Wow. Im eva longoria, Born And Bred in texas by as diverse as its 32 states. The ports strategic position Saw Veracruzans fight off repeated invasions right into the 20th century. [ speaking nonenglish ] but this history of conflict from indigenous Power Struggles to African Slavery created a cultural big bang. [ speaking nonenglish ] with a legacy of strong flavors, pioneered by strong women. Every time that i blink, my mind was like, yes, im going to try. I will. Veracruzanos are famous for their defiant spirit. Were known as [ speaking nonenglish ] matched only by a lust for life. Oh, so dont forget to pack your dancing shoes. This is the exact spot my 13th great grandfather landed, right here in the port of veracruz from spain. He was 11 years old. It is kind of amazing im walking in his footsteps right now. And im going to discover the diversity that veracruz has to offer. Only 60 miles wide, veracruz stretches some 400 miles along the gulf coast. These warm waters are home to around 120 species of fish. But fishermen have been selling just five of them, bringing them close to extinction. Now, an awardwinning chef is campaigning to cast the net wider. Hola. [ speaking nonenglish ] this is a beautiful restaurant. Eric left mexico citys World Famous Restaurant to return home on a oneman mission to transform the Fishing Industry in veracruz. So, this was caught this morning . [ speaking nonenglish ] and what type of fish is it . [ speaking nonenglish ] okay. I know its not had the prettiest thing, but erics not one to judge by appearances. Okay. [ speaking nonenglish ] its a lazy fish. [ speaking nonenglish ] yeah. [ speaking nonenglish ] why do you care so much . [ speaking nonenglish ] what are we going to make with the fish . Whats the name . Also known as sailors grunt, this guy might not be an obvious choice for se vie che, but its got erics vote. [ speaking nonenglish ] look at that. Its beautiful. [ speaking nonenglish ] it doesnt even smell like fish. [ speaking nonenglish ] a little onion and i love it because it gives a good crunch. A drizzle of lemon oil. [ speaking nonenglish ] what . I love frijoles in anything. But are they hot . [ speaking nonenglish ] some avocado and dressing. Lets see. Oh, its so beautiful. [ speaking nonenglish ] and were done. Do i just scoop it or what happens . [ speaking nonenglish ] like this . Exactly. Oh, my god. This has changed my life. Im now going to make this forever. This is amazing. For me, the contrast of hot beans with cold is a revelation. And who would have thought those ugly fish could taste so exquisite . But apparently theres more. These are softshelled crabs . Exacto. [ speaking nonenglish ] these blue crabs must be caught just before they shed their exoskeleton and then cooked straight after, while theyre still soft. [ speaking nonenglish ] oh, look at that. Thats gorgeous. [ speaking nonenglish ] so, that goes first . Exacto. Soft shell crabs thrive in warm waters of the gulf, making them an easy catch. Not a bad thing from where im standing. [ speaking nonenglish ] purple onion. Chi chile lemon. It wouldnt be mexico if there wasnt a chile lemon. [ speaking nonenglish ] its so crispy. So crispy, right . Wow. Thats a great combination with the crab. So refreshing. [ speaking nonenglish ] what do you want the world to know about the cuisine of veracruz . [ speaking nonenglish ] erics passion for cooking with every type of fish from veracruz makes him a hero in my book. And ill drink to that. This electric feels different. Because its powered by the most potent source of energy there is. You. This is the lexus variety of electrification. Inspired by, created for and powered by you. All the things i feel inside when i see my mothers eyes love is always in her smile there is no home like a mom celebrate the mom in your life. Choose from our collection of gift sets starting at 99. Mommy giggles new familyguard brand disinfectant spray. Kills 99. 9 of viruses and germs. Surprise is just one spray away. Disinfect 100 plus surfaces, including where kids and pets play. Yes your world. Sc johnson. A family company. For back pain, ive always been a take two and call in the morning guy. But my new doctor recommended salonpas. Without another pill upsetting my stomach, i get powerful, effective and safe relief. Salonpas. Its good medicine. You need to deliver new apps fast using the services you want in the clouds of your choice. With flexible Multicloud Services that enable Digital Innovation and enterprise control, vmware helps you innovate and grow. From big cities, to small towns, and on main streets across the us, youll find pnc bank. Helping businesses both large and small, communities and the people who live and work there grow and thrive. Were proud to call these places home too. Theyre where we put down roots, and where together, we work to help move everyones financial goals forward. Pnc bank. [upbeat music] i love coffee. And it came to mexico via, yep, veracruz. It arrived here from the caribbean in the 18th century i love coffee. And it came to mexico via yep veracruz. It arrived here from the caribbean in the 18th century before passing on throughout Latin America. I enjoy it best with friends. Like mi amiga, actress im so excited youre here. This is a crazy busy place. Said to be one of mexicos oldest cafes is one of anas favorite haunts. What does the rest of mexico think of veracruz . Were known as [ speaking nonenglish ] because i guess were prankers and were always like [ bleep ] [ bleep ]. So, we are known because of our sense of humor. Were very good also at dancing. Everything started here. Exactly. A lot of first things happen here. The coffee, thats why coffee, the first place. Oh, my gosh. [ speaking nonenglish ] okay. Exactly. Yea im a veracruzana. Can you tell me how much you have . Yeah, yeah, yeah. This is so fun. Ringing the glass with the spoon is a tradition that started way back in the late 19th century. When tram drivers in the port rang their bells to order a coffee as they passed. Is it good . Oh, my god. I really recommend you go to go to the Coffee Fields. Where are they . In the mountains . In the mountains. Im definitely going to go see the Coffee Fields. Thats my top of my list. Well, you dont need to tell me twice. This is so beautiful. After coffee arrived here, veracruzanos took it inland to cultivate it, where it flourished, before exporting it back to the rest of the world. This landscape is amazing. I dont feel like im in mexico. I feel like im in an amazon rain forest. Today veracruz produces around a quarter of mexicos coffee, which thrives in the shade and altitude in mountain areas. The Cooler Temperatures up here slow the growth of the beans, making them sweeter and more dense. And the denser the bean, the better the flavor. Hola. Hola. Hi, eva. How are you . Nice to meet you. Welcome to patella. And this is a coffee field. My guide is passionate about these Coffee Fields and supporting local women in agriculture. This is the plant. Look at this. Oh, is this a bean . Yes. Oh, i found one already. Yes. In the 1990s, Coffee Prices plummeted, Driving Farmers to the u. S. In search of work, and leaving many women behind to fend for themselves. A lot of men, they went to the north. And these Coffee Fields were abandoned. Yes, abandoned. And then the women, they said, what we do . We go away, stay on our land. We grew coffee. And this kind of coffee is very interesting because we have, like, a lot of flowers that you can cook today. Oh, you can eat the flowers . Yes. These are the flowers of san lorenzo. Oh, san lorenzo. Maybe you can cut. Oh, lord. I hate when its the high pressure. One plant. How long does it take to grow . Like, one year. Oh, just a year. Okay. Down here . Perfect. But the coffee isnt the only thing full of flavor around here. Apparently these shadegrown flowers are also delicious. And were going to cook them in a stew. [ speaking nonenglish ] [ speaking nonenglish ] it might not seem an obvious combination [ speaking nonenglish ] but as well as being packed with vitamins, the sweetness of the petals enhances the flavor of the tomato, onion, and garlic broth. And help thicken the stew. Oh, thats beautiful. The will be served alongside a salsa made with a san lorenzo flower i picked. And some palm flowers dipped in a light batter and fried until crisp. Okay. [ speaking nonenglish ] oh, my god, look at these little petals. [ speaking nonenglish ] you can feel the fragrance from the petals. [ speaking nonenglish ] i love that. To me, The Palm Flower Fritter has a sweet and sour zucchini taste. Amazing texture. Oh, i love this texture. The women were left to fight for survival, but i think their resourcefulness has not only led to a wonderful way of cooking, but its also given them strength and stature, just like the flowers of the Coffee Fields. Oh, my gosh. This is so good. water splashing hey, dad. Hum. Whats the ocean like . Are there animals living underwater . Is the ocean warm . Yeah, it can be very warm. You were made to remember some days forever. We were made to help you find the best way there. [cheering in stadium] [bass drum hit] [bass drum hit] its not really home field advantage. [bass drum hit] unless you take advantage of it. Great things happen when you spice it up [church bells tolling tune of la bamba] bamba, bamba la la bamba i love that the church bells is la bamba. I grew up listening to la bamba but i didnt know these african cultural influences surviving two centuries of the slave trade blended with those of the indigenous people, as well as the spanish, like my ancestor, lorenzo longoria. And today, neighborhoods around the port reflect this unique mix of cultures. Hola. Mucho gusto. Welcome to veracruz. Im meeting with this food historian. Shes written a book on local cuisine and is my guide. [ speaking nonenglish ] [ speaking nonenglish ] [ speaking nonenglish ] its impossible to overstate the impact of African Culture on this region. But even at the peak of the slave trade, there was resistance. In 1631, a group of rebel slaves won the right to live as free people in their own region. It was a small, but significant victory, given it would take another two centuries before slavery ended in mexico. [ speaking nonenglish ] wow. Yuca frita. Wow. [ speaking nonenglish ] so theyre both roots. [ speaking nonenglish ] but discovered the similar Latin American yuca. So, theyre both roots . [ speaking nonenglish ] africans missed the yams of their homeland but discovered the similar Latin America yuka. Ever since its been used for popular dishes, like Crispy Fried Yuka with garlic. [ speaking nonenglish ] of course it goes without saying that Plantain Fritters are also on the menu. Introduced by the spanish, the treats provided shade for valuable crops, like coffee. Wes valuable crops, like coffee. Wes the Leftover Fruit was used to feed enslaved communities. [ speaking nonenglish ] we smash them, and then were going to put them back in the oil. Okay. Back in the pan they go. [ speaking nonenglish ] theyre like potato chips. You cant eat just one. [ speaking nonenglish ] [chuckles] si. [ speaking nonenglish ] wow. [ speaking nonenglish ] this blend of african, whic indigenous, and spanish influences extends from veracruzanos cooking to the music of the fandango, which originally was a form of protest music. And i find the passion and eist rebellion ity conveys contagiou. Lets face it. Im not one to stand by and watch. This seductively feisty culture shouts resistance, the veracruzano way. Thrill ing thing. Theres an abundance of reasons to get started. How far we take an idea is a question of willpower. Because progress. Is a matter of character. Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer means i cherish my memories. 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Call one eight hundred, Eight Million so ive traveled north from the port of veracruz to the region where vanilla originates. So, ive travelled north from the port of veracruz to the region where vanilla originates. This is where the plant is from. Im so excited, im probably the biggest fan of vanilla. Ive been looking forward to this moment for a long time. They say, good things come to those who wait. And the prized vanilla bean from veracruz is definitely one of those things. I dont think ive ever seen so many Vanilla Beans in one place. Yeah. For mexico ive been invited here by norma guya, from mexicos oldest Vanilla Family, who have been harvesting it for hundreds of years. And she is the first woman to take charge of the business. So, if vanilla is endemic to mexico, is mexico the number one producer . No. Turns out madagascar produces about 80 of the worlds vanilla. But guess what . It was veracruz that gave it to them. Its more expensive. Because its the best . Yes. Of course its the best. And now here, you can see how they are taking care of each vanilla bean. Each vanilla bean. Each vanilla bean just to be sure. It can get infected. So, she needs to cut the tip off. Wow. Very labor intensive. And thats just the tip of the vanilla bean. Wait until you hear what it takes to create it in the first place. This is a van nilla plantation. Is it just this one . To the north of veracruz, the Vanilla Plant was originally only pollinated by bees, until it was discovered you could do the same thing by hand. I never knew they were vines. Yes. I thought it was a bush or a plant. No. Vanilla comes from the seed pods of a hermaphrodite orchid. The flower has to be pollinated within a single window of a few hours, or it will die. Now, get ready for a bit of biology. The Vanilla Plant is like a woman. If you want to pollinate, you need to speak very lovely and then open it. And youre going to take out the pollen from the male and put it inside of the female orchid. So, were impregnating the woman. Yes. And then you need to wait nine months in order to make the crop. Like a baby . Yes. What happened . Oh, lord. Here, you see . You need to open. I open this part right here . Yeah. I need glasses. Yeah. And thats the male right there . Yeah. So, you need to open it. I dont want to [ bleep ] up the vanilla bean. Okay. Okay. Okay. Here we go. So, im okay. Yes. Then pull it. Then pull it down. Then push it. Is that it . Yes. Did i make a vanilla baby . Yes. I feel like we need a glass of wine. [ laughter ] yeah. Yea we did it. So, people now need to do it, like 5,000 per day, Something Like that for one month. Thats so stressful. You have to do that with all of these flowers . Yeah. Thats amazing. Im happy im only doing one. This Pain Staking Process makes vanilla one of the most expensive spices in the world, worth nearly its weight in gold. This is a family house. Oh, this is so beautiful. We are going to cook chicken with vanilla. And here it is. Heres the bean. Yes, yes. And what is this . Nata. Nata is the thick, butterlike cream that forms on the top of milk after its been boiled. And do we put the vanilla in here . Yes. Now were talking. Its like gold. Yeah. This is like black gold. Thats amazin