What is Like Water for Chocolate about? Everything to know about the new Max series 

Like Water for Chocolate, HBO's newest adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s novel of the same name, is premiering on November 3. The six-part series, available on HBO Latino and Max, brings fresh life to this Mexican classic. It tells a profound love story set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution.

The show, run by Salma Hayek Pinault's production company Ventanarosa, adds vivid details to the original story that has fascinated readers worldwide for decades.

In this series, viewers journey through the life of Tita de la Garza, a young woman who is bound by tradition and is yet deeply in love with Pedro Múzquiz. In a world filled with magical realism, Tita finds safety and strength in the kitchen. Her connection to food becomes a way for her to fight against her family's strict rules. Each episode shows Tita's problems and her cooking magic, which changes the lives and emotions of everyone who eats her food.

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Like Water for Chocolate: A love bound by tradition and magic

When the novel came out in 1989, it quickly became a Latin American classic. Its movie version came out in 1992 and became one of the most popular foreign movies in the US ever.

The novel had a big impact on Salma Hayek Pinault, who decided to adapt it for modern audiences. She wanted to share the story's themes of forbidden love, cultural heritage, and self-discovery with a new generation.

The HBO series is about Tita de la Garza (played by Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida), who fall in love but can't be together. Their love stays strong despite many problems, mainly Tita's mother, Mamá Elena, who wants her to follow the family tradition. Tita turns to cooking when she is sad and feels alone. She puts her feelings into every meal, creating a space where food can release her bottled-up emotions.

The story, set against the Mexican Revolution, mixes reality and fantasy to show Tita's life. She can't say how she feels, but her dishes do it for her, touching the hearts and lives of everyone around her. The series goes into great detail about Tita's relationship with food, her personal problems, and how strong she is.

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Cast and characters of Like Water for Chocolate

The cast of Like Water for Chocolate brings Esquivel’s characters to life with authenticity and depth. Azul Guaita shines as Tita, whose journey is the series' focal point. Andrés Baida plays Pedro, Tita’s devoted love interest. Irene Azuela plays Mamá Elena, Tita’s strict and demanding mother, whose resistance to change embodies the weight of family expectations.

The show also stars Ana Valeria Becerril as Rosaura, Tita’s sister and rival in love. Andrea Chaparro plays Gertrudis, another sister who finds her escape from tradition. These characters enrich the storyline, giving audiences a full view of Tita’s complex family dynamics.

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Production and direction

Produced by Warner Bros. Discovery, Like Water for Chocolate is a collaborative effort that honors Latin American culture and storytelling. Executive producer Salma Hayek Pinault has created this adaptation through her production company, Ventanarosa, with co-producers Endemol Shine North America and Endemol Shine Boomdog. The series is directed by Ana Lorena Pérez Ríos and Julián de Tavira.

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Like Water for Chocolate debuts on HBO Latino on November 3 and will also be available on Max, making it accessible to viewers worldwide. Each episode airs on Sundays, culminating in the series finale on December 8.