Yucatán’s Marquesitas: The Sweet Origin Story

Mérida, Yucatán — Marquesitas, a dessert that combines sweet and savory flavors, has won the hearts of Yucatecos, becoming a staple at street stalls, fairs, and even restaurants. The popularity of marquesitas has spread beyond the Yucatán Peninsula, now sold in various regions of Mexico and even abroad.

The Creator Behind the Iconic Dessert

But what is the story behind marquesitas? This traditional dessert originated in Mérida, Yucatán, and was created by Vicente Mena Heredia, known as “Polito,” who passed away in November 2021.

Don Vicente Mena learned the ice cream trade from his father, Leopoldo “Polo” Mena Bonilla, who started the sorbet business in 1910. Due to the similarity of their nicknames, Leopoldo Mena has often been mistakenly credited with inventing marquesitas. However, it was his son, “Polito,” who created them.

What Are Marquesitas?

Marquesitas are a crispy, rolled flute filled with Edam cheese. The texture resembles a cross between a crêpe and an ice cream cone. Traditionally, they are eaten with only Edam cheese, though modern variations include additional ingredients such as jams, hazelnut cream, peanut butter, caramel, chocolate chips, cookies, and more.

The Origin of Marquesitas

In 2020, Don “Polito” gave an interview to Diario de Yucatán, briefly recalling the origin of marquesitas. According to his memories, one day he had the idea to roll the traditional ice cream cone, stating, “I had grown tired of making the cone.”

Initially, without any filling, he gave them away to customers. This led to a search for the ideal filling: first, he tried ground meat, but it didn’t work. Next, he experimented with Daisy cheese, which improved the flavor. However, it was the decision to use Edam cheese that made the recipe a success—one that endures to this day.

Over time, the recipe evolved in appearance, eventually becoming the traditional Yucatecan marquesita: a long, rolled crêpe filled with Edam cheese.

Why Are They Called Marquesitas?

The origin of the name “marquesitas” has been passed down among Yucatecos for years. The story goes that when the dessert was first being sold, the daughter of a marquis took a liking to it and frequently requested it. In her honor, the ice cream vendor decided to name them “marquesitas.”

However, there is no official version of this story, leaving it as a popular oral legend in Yucatán.