Summary
The sale of acitrón, a traditional Mexican sweet made from endangered barrel cactuses, is illegal because these cactuses are at risk of extinction. Despite the ban, acitrón is still popular and used in traditional dishes like chiles en nogada, reflecting its cultural importance in Mexico.
Key Facts
- Acitrón is a candy made from a type of barrel cactus called biznaga.
- The Mexican government banned acitrón sales in the early 2000s due to the risk of the biznaga cactus going extinct.
- Despite being illegal, acitrón is still commonly sold in markets like the Merced market in Mexico City.
- Acitrón is used in making chiles en nogada, a traditional Mexican dish.
- The National Autonomous University of Mexico maintains barrel cactuses, highlighting their cultural importance.
- There are over 150 species of biznaga, and most are endangered in the wild.
- Biznaga cactuses grow very slowly, sometimes just millimeters each year.
