Tamales
The Tamal is the typical Christmas food for Guatemalas. The Guatemalan Tamal has its own representative way of being presented consisting of Maxan leaves tied with cibaque. In some areas of Guatemala, Plantain leaves are used to cook the tamales but most people rather have tamales cooked and wrapped in Maxan leaves. Maxan leaves are bigger, harder and give the tamales more flavour. Maxan leaves are found in humid places like rivers. The Cibaque is a thread extracted from the Maxan plants and it is used to tie the maxan leaves with the tamales. The tamales are cooked in apostes, which are pots made of mud and also give the tamales and exquisite flavor.
