The Spanish Inquisition changed the future livelihood of the Aztecs forever. Imagine being fully dependent on vegetation since the beginning of time. All you have known is that the gods grant good growing seasons, and your job is to constantly tend to the land. Once the Spanish colonists arrived, they introduced livestock like chicken, beef, and pork. The Aztec diet transitioned from “vegan” to carnivorous leading to what will eventually become one of the most sought-after cuisines in the world. Also, the Spanish came the method of distillation of the agave/maguey plant, which led to the creation of what is now tequila. According to Gustavo Arellano’s Taco USA, the introduction of these new ingredients was a direct result of Moctezuma’s compliance to provide the conquistadors with their native food. That action led to outsiders’ constant need to appropriate the Aztec’s original food to their own liking. This can also be known as taking advantage of a group of people who did not know any better– and instead of sticking to their traditions.
Citation:
Arellano, Gustavo. Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America. New York: Scribner, 2012. Print. 17
Authentic Taqueria Only 
The Aztecs did have protein in their diets that came from meat–some of the meat was in fact human meat. Yeah, more on that, but not that we need to dwell. Look up the soup “pozole” and read up on that history for more.
You’re right about the mixture of new ingredients and expanding the cuisine. The same happens with enslaved Africans brought to the Americas, then the expanding of trade routes to Asia.
For the agave plant, check out also pulque and mezcal.
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