Learn Spanish and Go

From Cholula to Tabasco, we explore how some of the world’s most famous hot sauces are named after places they don’t actually come from. We break down the real origins of Tabasco sauce, how it was created in Louisiana using Tabasco chilies, and how it became the best-selling hot sauce in the world—traveling everywhere from seafood plates to space missions. We also share our honest take on its flavor, how it’s used differently in the U.S. versus Mexico, and why homemade Mexican salsas still hold a special place in our hearts.
Key Takeaways:
Tabasco sauce is named after the chili, not the Mexican state where many assume it comes from
Its global popularity contrasts with how Mexicans typically experience and use hot sauces
Homemade salsas remain central to Mexican food culture, flavor, and identity
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
104 – ¡Al Chile! – Chilis: Straight to the Point
272 – ¿La Salsa Cholula no Viene de Cholula? | Cholula Hot Sauce Doesn’t Come from Cholula?
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We explore the growing fear that AI and instant translation tools make language learning unnecessary, and we explain why that mindset misses the point. From real-life cultural misunderstandings and gestures to sarcasm, tone, and relationship-building, we share examples that show what technology simply can’t teach. You’ll walk away with a clearer idea of how to use AI as a powerful learning tool—without losing the deeper goal of language learning: connecting with real people and cultures.
Key Takeaways:
Why AI translation is useful but cannot replace real human connection
How cultural context, gestures, and tone play a huge role in communication
The best ways to use AI to support your language learning without relying on it completely
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
148 – Mejora Tu Español Usando Inteligencia Artificial | Improve Your Spanish Using Artificial Intelligence
239 – Mejora tu Español Usando Inteligencia Artificial Parte 2 | Improve your Spanish Using AI Part 2
Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word
Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases
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In this episode, we conclude our real-life battle with Sam’s Club after buying a couch that arrived incomplete and went unresolved for months. We share how filing a complaint through PROFECO and ConciliaNet led not only to a full refund, but also to the legally required 20% compensation—despite resistance and delays from the company. If you live in, travel to, or shop in Mexico, this episode shows you that you do have rights as a consumer and that PROFECO is a powerful tool when a business refuses to respond.
Key Takeaways:
PROFECO can successfully force companies in Mexico to respect consumer rights.
You don’t need to be a Mexican citizen or resident to file a PROFECO complaint.
Persistence, documentation, and knowing the law can make a real difference in high-value purchases.
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
289 – La Saga del Sillón y la PROFECO Parte I | The Saga of the Couch and PROFECO, Part I
222 – Protégete de las Estafas con la PROFECO | Protect Yourself from Scams with PROFECO
How to Defend Your Consumer Rights in Mexico With PROFECO [Blog Post]
Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word
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In episode 301, May takes the mic solo to respond to claims that Mexico lacks a true bread culture, using this moment to explore how wheat arrived during the colonial period and evolved into something uniquely Mexican. We walk you through the history of bread in Mexico, its role in everyday life and religious celebrations, and the incredible variety of pan dulce that defines Mexican bakeries today. Along the way, you’ll gain cultural insight, expand your vocabulary, and better understand why food is such a powerful part of Mexican identity. immersion retreats and a community platform to future travel, plus why this kind of reflection can help you appreciate your own progress too.
Key Takeaways:
Why bread, though not originally Mexican, is deeply woven into Mexico’s daily life and traditions
How history, colonization, and local ingredients shaped uniquely Mexican breads
What pan dulce and common Spanish expressions reveal about Mexican culture and values
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
209 – La Feria Más Bonita de Comala – Ponche, Pan y Café | The Most Beautiful Fair of Comala – Ponche, Bread, and Coffee
082 – El Pan de Muerto | Bread of the Dead
Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word
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We reflect on reaching 300 podcast episodes and five years of Spanish and Go, a journey that started during the pandemic in Puerto Rico and led us to where we are today. We talk about the biggest moments of the year—buying a house, becoming parents, favorite podcast episodes, and how slowing down helped us grow in unexpected ways. You’ll also hear what we’re planning next, from new immersion retreats and a community platform to future travel, plus why this kind of reflection can help you appreciate your own progress too.
Key Takeaways:
Why reflecting on milestones helps you see growth you might otherwise miss
How major life changes reshaped our priorities, work, and travel
What exciting projects and goals we’re working toward next
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word
Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases
Test your comprehension with a multiple choice quiz

Support the show