“Ema HTX is composed of two chefs and a coffee roaster. Our goal is to bring quality food, pastries, and coffee to the Houston Heights area while holding space for our ancestral traditions, beliefs, and practice through our foods. We uphold the indigenous lineage we derive from by showcasing the history of our culture through our craft and creativity. The source and inspiration of our work comes from Mexico and the Latin American gastronomy. Our story is intertwined with memories, nostalgia, travel, experience, and our love for Mexico.”
maiz
Maize,the word comes from Mahíz in the Taíno/Arauco language, (Cintli in Nahuatl) translated into Spanish as ‘fuente de vida’ or ‘sustento de la vida. Thousands of years ago, the people of Meso America developed nixtamalization, a process that increases the nutritional value of corn. Soaking heirloom corn with limestone is one of the most sacred food practices in Mexican gastronomy. Our menu encapsulates this by not only educating our city about the beauty of heirloom corn, but as well as showing gratitude to our ancestors through the art of Maiz.
pan dulce
Pan dulce was first introduced to Mexico during the 1800’s through the Spanish conquest. Then after the French had settled and left, there were bakeries left behind introducing the art of bread making in Mexico – this eventually helped establish the Mexican baking tradition that has become one of the most inventive in the world and is one of the largest economic driving forces of Mexican cuisine. Our bread is carefully hand crafted and incredibly nostalgic all while tying in modern technique with classic origins.
cafe
Coffee begins its story in Ethiopia. As one of the world’s largest commodity and specialty industries, coffee is cultivated and consumed by millions of people all over the world. Our coffee menu is calculated with intention, intended for the consumer to enjoy anything as simple as espresso or a Mexican inspired specialty beverage. From the beans to the beverages themselves, everything is crafted with thoughtfulness and gratitude.