Like Water for Chocolate

"Like Water for Chocolate" is a romantic, poignant tale, touched with bittersweet moments of magic and sensuality.
The narrator's great-aunt Tita is the youngest of three daughters born to Mama Elena, the tyrannical owner of the De la Garza ranch. While still in her mother's womb, she wept so violently - as her mother chooped onions - that she caused Mama Elena to begin early labor, and Tita slipped out in the middle of the kitchen table, amid the spices and fixing for noodle soup. This early encounter with food soon became a way of life, and Tita grew up to be a master chef.
In well-born Mexican families, tradition dictates that the youngest daughter not marry, but remain at home to take care for her mother. Even though Tita has fallen in love, Mama Elena chooses not to make an exception, and instead, arranges for Tita's older sister to marry Tita's young man.
In order to punish Tita for her willfulness, Mama Elena forces her to bake the wedding cake. The bitter tears Tita weeps while stirring the batter provoke a remarkable reaction among the guests who eat the cake. It is then that it first becomes apparent that her culinary talents are unique.

Ficção / Romance