When the Spaniards first arrived in Mexico, they found themselves in a strange and lovely land inhabited by diverse groups of indigenous people. To their surprise, these conquerors, who had come in search of gold, discovered that some of these native groups had made remarkable discoveries and advances in such areas as architecture, astronomy, art and metal work. Not least among these glories, the Spanish happily discovered, was the cooking of Mexico. Upon their unique agriculture, which included tomatoes, beans, corn, peppers, chocolate, vanilla and turkey--all unknown to the Spaniards--the Indians founded an equally unique cuisine.