Show 281, July 14, 2018: Edgar Cisneros, Producer, Puerto Vallarta’s 6th Annual Ceviche & Aguachile Festival

Edgar CisnerosThe 6th Edition of Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated Ceviche and Aguachile Festival is set for Sunday, July 29th in Old Town Puerto Vallarta from Noon to 7:00 p.m. No admission charge and you pay as you go for the samples.

The Festival celebrates the local seafood delicacy with participating restaurants, local microbreweries, and raicilla producers. 40, plus, varieties will be available to sample including vegetarian options. Also live music with a local flair throughout the day.

“Aguachile is a Mexican dish made of shrimp, submerged in liquid seasoned with chili peppers, lime juice, salt, cilantro, and slices of onion. Fresh vegetables such as cucumber are usually added.” It can be thought of as a kicked-up version of ceviche.

Producer & Founder Edgar Cisneros reels in all the spicy details for us live from Puerto Vallarta.

Show 255, January 6, 2018: 5th Ceviche and Aguachile Festival, Producer Edgar Cisneros, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Edgar CisnerosIt’s the beginning of another year of appealing food & beverage festivals in sunny Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Upcoming is the 5th edition of the ever-popular Ceviche and Aguachile Festival on Sunday afternoon, January 28th.

Puerto Vallarta remains a gastronomic destination with an intriguing variety of high-quality food and libation events held every year that delight both visitors and locals. 2018 starts with the flavors of the sea with the 5th edition of the Festival of Ceviche and Aguachile. Guests can sample more than 30 varieties of exquisite ceviches and aguachiles. Expect a boatload of fresh seafood including marlin, fresh shrimp, tuna, octopus and stingray. Also, Raicilla-based cocktails and local craft beers will be available to purchase.

Think of Aguachile as the chili-spiked version of Mexican ceviche.

The date is Sunday, January 28th from 12 Noon to 7:00 p.m. in Puerto Vallarta’s Lazaro Cardenas Park. Tastes range from a reasonable 15 to 40 pesos per item.

Festival Producer Edgar Cisneros has the tempting preview.

Show 254, December 30, 2017: Raicilla Expert & Festival Producer, Edgar Cisneros, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Edgar CisnerosIn the holiday spirit we’re journeying back to sunny Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The area is the home of the potent, distilled Racilla from the green agave plant, a distant cousin of the better-known Tequila. Raicilla is the local spirit of Puerto Vallarta and is prepared nearby in the towns of San Sebastian del Oeste and El Tuito.

It’s a slow process as the nine varieties of local Agave that Raicilla can be made from take some nine to twelve years to mature. Then the distilled Raicilla needs more time to age in oak barrels.

Tequila and Raicilla tastings can be done at most restaurants and haciendas around Puerto Vallarta.

Raicilla types :

  • Blanco: when it hasn’t been kept in oak barrels
  • Joven (Young): less than one year in oak barrels.
  • Reposado: Between 1 and 2 years in oak barrels
  • Añejo: More than 2 years in oak barrels.

Raicilla expert Edgar Cisneros is our well-informed guide. He organizes regular Raicilla tasting in greater Puerto Vallarta as well as the upcoming DamaJuana Raicilla Festival in Puerto Vallarta on March 16th & 17th.

For info on Edgar’s upcoming Raicilla Tastings Google “Alma de Agave, Puerto Vallarta.”

Show 206, January 14, 2017: Bob Price, Curator and Founder, Vallarta Botanical Garden, Jardin Botanico De Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta

Bob PriceSome of the best & tastiest Mexican street food available in Puerto Vallarta is found at the Vallarta Botanical Garden (“Where Mexican plants meet the imagination!”) Let’s talk about those incredible fish tacos and fresh guacamole! The serving vessels are all distinctive, custom Mexican pottery. It’s all served with style, too, in an unequaled setting. The garden itself is an impressive attraction, too.

They are also known for their pizza. They are baked in an oak fueled, wood-burning brick oven.

“The mission of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens is to create Mexico’s foremost botanical garden for the discovery, study, propagation, conservation and display of native and exotic plants for the enjoyment of Puerto Vallarta’s residents and visitors.”

Out of the 187 Puerto Vallarta attractions rated by TripAdvisor the Vallarta Botanical Garden has impressively earned the Number 3 spot.

It’s easy to get to. There is a City Bus that runs to their front entrance. It’s about a half-hour ride from Downtown. Also, it’s a reasonable cab fare from all districts of Puerto Vallarta.

We’re sipping local Raicilla (available at the VBG gift shop and resrtaurant) with Curator and Founder, Bob Price.