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Finding authentic Mexican ingredients can be a difficult task. If you are not in a large metropolitan area or an area with a high Hispanic population, chances are you will have a difficult time finding authentic Mexican ingredients.

You can shop on the internet for authentic Mexican ingredients, sights like Mexicangrocer.com are a good place to find what you're looking for. However, if you prefer not to shop on the internet the best suggestion I can give you is to ask your grocer.

As a grocery store manager I am constantly being asked for unusual, ethnic, or specialty items. Just because a store doesn't normally carry the ingredients you are looking for doesn't mean they can't get them. Most chain stores have a large array of authentic Mexican ingredients available to them but don't necessarily carry them because of the demographic. Grocers also have additional resources for obtaining these specialty food items. I personally obtain many of the specialty foods items in my store from private vendors and specialty food warehouses, such as Gourmet Awards.

Many times I will get in an item at the store, thinking this is never going to sell, and to my surprise it flies off the shelf. Most times the grocery store you shop at will be willing to try new items, but the grocery manager needs to know what the consumer is looking for. I never thought an item like peach salsa would fly, but to my surprise, it sold very well.

If you are looking for authentic Mexican produce, speak to the produce manager at the grocery store. Not only does the produce manager have access to many ethnic produce items, many also have a catalog of Mexican spices they can also order.

So I stress to you, pester the people at the grocery store until you get what you want. Just make sure if they order it you buy it. Then tell your friends about it and encourage them to buy it also. With the growing popularity of Mexican cuisine in the United States, eventually authentic Mexican ingredients will be available nationwide.

Learn more about this author, Jeannie Trudell.
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