Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos
“Dia de Los Muertos”, which translates in English to “Day of the Dead”, is a Mexican holiday that is dedicated to celebrating the lives and cherishing the memories of lost loved ones. The celebration takes place on November 1st (All Saints Day) and continues through November 2nd (All Souls Day). Spirits of the deceased are thought to pay a visit to their families during Dia de los Muertos, which is cause for much preparation by their families. To greet their lost loved ones with warmth and familiarity, families build an alter with candles to light the spirits’ way back home and cover it with pictures, personal belongings and favorite things from the spirits’ lives. Other popular alter offerings include marigold flowers, colorful sugar skulls, called “calaveras”, atole, and the traditional pan de muerto sweet bread.

Pan de Muerto (Day of the Dead Bread)

A popular offering to the spirits, this sugary bread is also enjoyed by families on El Dia de Los Muertos. The bread is made into a loaf, baked, glazed and decorated, the excess dough often being used to fashion bones around the loaf.
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Atole
Similar to an American hot cereal, this thick drink is made with masa (a corn dough used for making corn tortillas, tamales and other Latin American dishes) and sometimes topped with fruit. Offering Atole at the alter is supposed to warm the spirits when they return and leave.
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Chocolate Skulls & Coffins
A more recent addition to the traditional alter offerings, chocolate skulls and coffins can be plain or covered with colored sugars, candies or even sprinkles. You can make chocolate skulls yourself, or find them at specialty chocolate retailers and even your local grocery store. My personal favorites are the Skull Lollipops from luxury chocolate retailer Vosges Haut-Chocolat. This year, Vosges’ Dia de Los Muertos skull creations come in the form of a solid chocolate lollipop in 3 exotic flavors: Leche, Barcelona, and spicy Red Fire.