Mole Poblano

The most popular mole sauce is mole poblano (also known as mole rojo or red mole), consisting of at least twenty ingredients, including the likes of cinnamon, black pepper, poblano chiles, cloves, anise seed, and chocolate. According to a popular legend, it was invented in the Mexican city of Puebla in the 16th century, when people in the Santa Rosa convent prepared a different version of the original Aztec sauce in order to show honor to a visiting bishop.

However, it's also associated with Oaxaca and its seven famous moles. Some say that the secret to a good mole lies in the roasting of chile seeds that become charred and act as flavor bombs when blended in the sauce. Traditionally, this flavorful and spicy sauce is served over poultry dishes such as chicken enchiladas accompanied by rice on the side.