In late October, the air in Mexico begins to fill with a unique, sweet fragrance. Marigolds bloom on street corners, and candlelight flickers on altars, illuminating photographs of loved ones. This is not a time of sorrow but a vibrant family reunion filled with color, music, and laughter—a belief that our departed loved ones will return, guided by the scents of memory.
And among all the offerings awaiting them, what could convey the warmth of home better than a pot of freshly steamed, piping hot tamales?
In my memory, Grandma would start preparing days in advance. The family would gather around large bowls in the kitchen, chatting about how Grandpa loved his tamales spicy, while laughing as the little granddaughter tried to sneak bites of sweet dough. This joyful, collaborative afternoon of preparing tamales together is what we call a “Tamalada”—it is as much a part of Día de Muertos as the flavors themselves.
Three Flavors, One Family’s Memory
A true Tamalada is a symphony of flavors. To satisfy everyone at the table, we always prepare at least two or three fillings.
• Red Pork: The Deep, Time-Honored Classic
This is the elders’ favorite. Pork shoulder is slow-cooked until tender, shredded, and then sautéed with a rich red sauce made from ancho chilies, garlic, and spices. Its deep, smoky aroma is the taste of time itself.
• Green Chicken: A Fresh and Zesty Comfort
This one is for the younger generation. Tender shredded chicken is enveloped in a salsa verde made from tomatillos, green chilies, and cilantro—bright and tangy, like carefree afternoons from memory.
• Sweet Countryside: A Gentle Treat for Childhood
This is the children’s exclusive zone. Masa dough is infused with the warmth of cinnamon, the sweetness of raisins, and the richness of nuts—each bite is pure, gentle comfort.
A Happy Dilemma: When Flavors Meet in the Pot
With the fillings ready and the tamales wrapped, the family collaboration faces a “happy dilemma”:
“Which batch do we steam first?”
“The sweet and savory ones absolutely can’t touch!”
“We can’t fit them all in one pot—steaming in batches is so tedious…”
We’ve all been there—forced to compromise due to pot limitations. Either steam them in batches, wasting time and effort, or reluctantly place different flavored tamales side-by-side in the steamer, anxiously worrying about flavors mingling and compromising the care we poured into preparing them for our family.
Let Wisdom Safeguard Every Unique Gesture
This year, perhaps we can try a different approach.
Imagine this: As you arrange the wrapped tamales into the steamer, you no longer have to worry about “placement.” A clever divider plate effortlessly partitions the pot into three separate sections. ARC Stainless Steel Tamale Steamer does this.
Now, you can calmly assign:
This section is for Grandpa’s favorite red pork, letting its robust aroma awaken slowly in the steam.
That section holds the zesty green chicken, preserving its vibrant character.
And a section just for the kids, where the sweet tamales soften to perfection in a purely sweet environment.
One pot, simultaneous steaming, flavors perfectly distinct.
This isn’t just about saving time and effort. It’s about respecting each unique flavor and thoughtfully accommodating every family member’s preference. It ensures that Grandma’s classic recipe, Mom’s specialty, and the children’s sweet treat can all be presented at the same moment, in their most perfect state.
And ARC steamer with a water-fill spout acts like a silent assistant. During the hour or two of steaming, you won’t need to frequently lift the lid and lose precious steam. Simply add hot water through the spout to maintain a consistent steam level—protecting not just the ideal cooking conditions, but also the anticipation of a perfect outcome.
From the 20QT size perfect for an intimate family gathering, to the 52QT capacity ready for a large family fiesta, different sizes are designed to carry the same scale of love and reunion.
Epilogue: We Wrap Flavors, We Steam Time
During Día de Muertos, what we wrap is not just flavor, but memory. And steaming is the gentle process of blending and maturing all our longing and love with warm vapor.
May this year’s Tamalada allow you to more fully enjoy the time spent with family. Let smart tools solve the kitchen challenges, so you can immerse yourself wholeheartedly in laughter, sharing, and remembrance—this is the true essence of the holiday, what we truly wish to pass down through generations.
May the aroma of food guide all souls safely home.
