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There were lots of different Maya foods. The food was produced by hunting, foraging (gathering) and large-scale farming.

Most of the Maya food was grown in the fields or gardens, known as pet kot from the circular wall of stones that the gardens were built upon. Many Maya foods are still prepared and eaten today.

Ancient Maya diet was mostly maize, squash, beans (the ‘Three Sisters,’) and chili peppers.

Of these, maize was most popular, and they ground it up and made tortillas to wrap meat and beans in.

Chili peppers, tomatoes, avocado, pineapple, pumpkin and sweet potatoes were grown by tree-cropping.

Deer, armadillo, monkeys, guinea pigs, turtle and iguana were all hunted. Fish, lobsters and shrimps caught from the sea. Dogs and turkeys may have been domesticated.

• The Maya were the first people to grow the cocoa plant for food.

• Cocoa was a gift from the gods.

• The Mayan word theobroma means food of the gods.

• Cocoa beans were used at ceremonial sacrifices to the gods.

• Chocolate was drunk at wedding ceremonies.

• Cocoa beans ground and mixed with chili peppers, honey and cornmeal were served as a special drink only to the rich.

• Maize was said to be the food of creation since the first humans were crafted from an ear of corn in Maya mythology.

Many popular Maya foods are still eaten today. Maize is still used to make tortillas. Avocado is used in guacamole and corn dough is used to make tamales. Chocolate is still eaten all over the world.

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