Mexican Food in NZ and Kiwi Eating Habits?

Question

Two questions today, one, should I just give up on finding Mexican food items (like corn Masa for making tortillas) or restaraunts in Northland? I don't see anything in the phone book and when I ask people they seem to stare at me blankly as if I were asking for a cuisine I'd made up in my head.

Second... what is the deal with Kiwis cleaning their plates? I've now been to four group dinners, one at a restaraunt, the other three at homes (two that I prepared) and as I look round the table at the end of the meal everyone's plate but mine is completely cleaned off, save a bit of drippings or sauce. Mine on the other hand has bits and pieces of food on it (I was always taught to leave a little food on my plate "for the Gods" and to stop eating when I'm full). I asked a good Kiwi friend about this and he said that it was beaten into him to clean his plate his whole childhood and that's why he finishes everything, but I think (I hope) he was joking. 

The two times I cooked for groups, I plated the meals with big American sized portions and people practically exploded, though still cleaned their plates. Should I just start putting the pans out and letting people help themselves, am starting to feel guilty!

Anyway, any thoughts you have on Mexican food in Northland, or the rationale behind the cleaning the plate thing in NZ would be greatly appreciated?

Answer

Firstly I just have to commend you on your earnestness in trying to understand the culture you find yourself in. Well done you!

I (australian) was brought up to eat everything on my plate. This was etiquette my mother was brought up with. My father on the other hand grew up in a family where there was no such etiquette - food was devoured before the elder, hungrier kids would start nicking it.

I think it's a combination of factors. As a migrant country (as USA but younger) many people have come here for opportunity suggesting perhaps a level of need. The country experienced no real wealth until after WWII and that was generated (initially) through primary industry and thus the "middle class" were farmers with a deep appreciation for the value of food.

The origins are now possibly lost on the culture but many of us (myself included) feel compelled to finish what has been served. I still recall at 3 (one of my earliest memories) being made to sit at the table until I finished a bowl of irish stew (I hated it). Eventually it was so cold even my mother couldn't pretend it was edible and I was allowed to go to bed.

Wasting food (to many at least) is just wrong. Think of the pink Ffloyd lyrics - if you don't eat your meat...

Your idea to let people serve themselves is good in light of the food you are serving and the difference in culture. 

As for mexican - it's simply so far away, not a common migrant community and a $3000 airfare to experience properly... I feel your pain - Australia is equally hopeless at mexican food and every now and again someone tries to revive it.

Answer

Ok, made decent corn tortillas, at least as decent as necessary for a couple of Mexican recipes here. But the Masa was sent in to me from the states (gotta love Mom)... can it be bought here (online)? 

Also went to a dinner party and filled my plate sparingly, so finally I cleaned my plate like everyone else did, felt proud and polite :-). Thanks for everyone's advice and would love to hear more from everyone about "table manners" in NZ...

Answer

http://www.aji.co.nz/

This store in Christchurch does mail orders and has Masa flour as well as other Mexican ingredients. Good luck!!

Answer

If you want good Mexican food in Auckland go here

http://stomachsonlegs.blogspot.com/2008/03/mexican-specialities-ltd.html

Answer

No ideabaker, don't give up! Mexifoods out of Dunedin (www.mexifoods.co.nz) carries Maseca brand instant masa and a blue corn flour. Not at the American prices you will be accustomed to, I'm afraid, but still available. They also distribute dos equis and tecate (and some pretty good tequilas as well) to wash down your tortillas.

Answer

Hello ideabaker! I am a fellow Texan who lived in Auckland for 3 1-2 years (now I'm in Spain)...and understand what you're going thru on the mexican food thing. I used to buy all of my ingredients from a store in Newmarket (Auck)...but i cant remember the name of it for the life of me! Sorry! It was on the main shopping street, and they sold all sorts of imported groceries/hot sauces from Mexico & states. Probably closed by now. Maybe someone knows? Anyway I did read not too long ago in the Herald about a new Mexican grocery & cafe in Ellerslie that's actually owned by Mexicans!!!!! They are only open like 3 days a week, over lunch time...but you should give them a call...their info is below.

Mexican Specialities, 92 Marua Rd, Ellerslie, ph 580 2497
owned by José Carlos and Maria de la Macorra

Cheers!

Answer

Hi there, I'm yet another American living in Auckland (3 1/2 years now) who misses mexican food. My partner and I also resorted to making our own. I've ordered some things from Mexifoods, including Maseca, and found them fine to deal with. 

Not sure if like black beans but I do and had a hard time finding them when we got here. (When I asked people for them they always thought I meant black bean sauce - yick). I did find canned black beans at the organic grocery stores but they were a little expensive for how much I use them ($5 a can). I finally found a good source of dried black beans (black turtle beans) - http://www.huckleberryfarms.co.nz/. It's in the Glen Innes neighborhood of Auckland. It's a little difficult to find but worth the bother if you are in Auckland. Also, Nosh is across the street from it (a gourmet grocery store) and that's definitely worth a visit. 

A new mexican place opened downtown in Auckland a few months ago and it's pretty good - Little Mexico, 31 Wellesley St., Auckland. It's gotten less spicy since we've been going there, maybe to account for kiwi tastebuds, so just ask for some hot sauce. This is not to be confused with the Mexican Cafe on Victoria St. which I would not recommend. 

Have fun!

Answer

I have not read any of the replies, but I was taught by my NZ grandmother to clean my plate, no ifs ands or buts about it. No one left the table until your plate was clean.

But all the dishes were placed on the table and we helped ourselves, so we were to blame if we took too much. Lastly, we did have to try everything on the table, even if we truly did not like it, we have to have one spoon full.

My other grandmother(Canadian raised) basically had the same rules, you did not leave the table until your plate was cleared off.

My folks were depression kids and thankful for any food on their plates, so they reinforced the clear your plate rules.

It is hard to overcome the programming, of clearing your plate not matter how full you may be.

Answer

Hi, Tio Pablo is another NZ supplier of Mexican foods: http://www.tiopablo.co.nz/. For anyone based in Auckland, you can buy Tio Pablo products at Huckleberry Farms in Greenlane, Grey Lynn or Glen Innes.

Answer

Hello there, ideabaker! I'm another American expat with a hankering for Mexican food. I won't comment about the kiwi eating habits as I think other posters have hit the right points here.

I discovered Mexican Specialties in Ellerslie today, and I was really impressed by their food and their selection of groceries. I bought Maseca masa flour, corn husks, and several cans of chiles for an upcoming tamale project. The spicy shrimp taco was an excellent lunch choice. Please give them a try on your next time through Auckland.

I did a brief survey today of the NZ online Mexican grocery sites, and I think that Mexifoods has the best combination of selection and price. I'll be ordering a few things from them ASAP, including dried chiles which seem to be difficult to find elsewhere. Mexifoods has canned black beans for about $4/can, less than at Huckleberry Farms. Mexican Specialties had them too, but I didn't notice how much they were.

The store in Newmarket another poster referred to was Pepperama, which later moved to Boston Road just down the street from Sabato. Pepperama is long gone. Peppers was a similar store in the Royal Oak mall, but it's gone too. Besides Mexican Specialties, I haven't found any other stores in Auckland which carry grocery products. These stores don't seem to have a long lifespan!

Best of luck with your cooking, and thanks for starting this thread - it's been great to read about everyone's experiences with finding Mexican supplies here. Glad to know I'm not the only one that loves and misses Mexican foods.

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