HISTORICAL MENU

Benito Juárez was, without a doubt, a polarizing and very significant figure in Mexico’s history; admired by some, idolized by others, and hated by some more, he is one of those historical figures who to this day stirs up rumors, legends, questions, and theories, with much ink devoted to his character. Today, however, I want to give you a little historical treat, as is customary here in Un Bocado de Historia, about the last meal he enjoyed in his time on this earthly plane.

On July 8, 1872, Juárez suffered from a second heart attack, from which he recovered and went on with his regular routine, if we can call it that with regard to a man who endured two wars and an exile.

“On Monday, July 16, despite having endured two heart attacks, he ate and drank, as was his custom, a hearty meal consisting of: “half a glass of sherry, Bordeaux, pulque, noodle soup, fried eggs, rice, hot sauce made with pequin peppers, beefsteak, beans, fruit, and coffee; all this between one and two in the afternoon. At night, a glass of Rompope “Copa Chica” at nine (Archivo General de la Nación). The following day, he arrived at his office to continue working, particularly on the Constitutional Reform and on the completion of the Veracruz railroad. Despite acute pains, he attempted to continue reading Cours’Historie des Legislations Comparées de M. Lerminier (Henestrosa, Andrés 1998). On July 18, 1872, he died in the company of ministers and his family.”

I leave you with this little treat, which I hope you have enjoyed, alongside images of the menu written in his own hand two days before his death, as well as the superb bust of his figure sculpted by Maestro Sergio Peraza in 2008.

A scrumptious piece of trivia that will make you travel through time and get a taste of the past.