Today Is National Taco Day

October 4th is National Taco Day and this year it falls on a Monday, which means now you can have tacos twice this week! Though National Taco Day is a relatively new food celebration, the taco itself has a much longer history.

Taco History

Despite its popularity, the history of the taco is relatively uncertain. But according to food historian Jeffrey M. Pilcher, the word "taco" is believed to have started in the silver mines in Mexico in the 18th century, when workers referred to the little explosives used to extract the ore as tacos. These were essentially gunpowder, wrapped in pieces of paper, and stuffed into into holes drilled into the rock.

The first official reference to taco didn’t come until the end of the 1800’s, where the were known as miner’s tacos or tacos de minero. Although most experts believe the word taco is not an old name or cultural reference, I can’t help but wonder why the miners called the wrapped explosives “taco” unless they were referencing something else?

Other Taco History

Some claim tacos were around before the Spanish landed in Mexico in the 1500’s and apparently there is evidence of tacos filled with small fish in The Valley of Mexico. In other areas they replaced the fish with live insects, ants, locusts, and snails!

For National Taco Day on October 4th this year, try some different tacos. Maybe add new proteins like seafood, chicken, pork, beef, or even vegetables or get creative by adding some fun garnishes such as salsa like cilantro leaves for crunchy flavor or maybe some avocado slices if they're in season!

Don’t forget the to squeeze a lime in there for some extra flavor!

Another Fun Fact About Tacos

According to NationalToday.com, in 1989 the term “Taco Tuesday” was trademarked by Taco Johns in Wyoming for every state except New Jersey. Apparently they missed out on The Garden State because Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar had done their own state trademark in 1982!