Edible Heritage: Motivations, Representations, and Profile of Gastro-Tourists of Puebla, Mexico

This research explores the cultural representations of Mexican cuisine as perceived by tourists visiting Puebla, Mexico. Using open-ended questions and the free listing technique, a total of 549 tourists were asked about their opinion on Puebla’s cuisine, and they also listed the ingredients or dishes they associated with Puebla’s cuisine. Sixteen categories were identified and grouped into seven dimensions, the most important being flavor profile, attractiveness, distinctiveness, and familiarity. These dimensions show tourists’ perceptions of the destination’s cuisine. The results highlight the relevance of emblematic dishes such as <i>Mole poblano</i> and <i>Chiles en nogada</i> that are sold in Puebla. The findings suggest that Puebla’s cuisine is not only strongly anchored in iconic dishes but also reflects a broader edible heritage that reinforces Puebla’s position as a gastronomic destination in Mexico. This research contributes to understanding how tourists conceptualize local cuisines and offers insights for the development of gastronomic tourism and gastronomic promotion strategies.