Tamales have been a beloved Mexican specialty for generations, and they can be filled with anything from dried fruit, cinnamon, and sugar to chilis, cheese, chicken, or pork. While there’s no right or wrong way to eat a tamale, there are some best practices to enhance your experience, so before you dig in, check out these tips.

Since the corn masa encompassing the tender filling can have a thick, dry texture when cold, you should warm up your tamale by popping it in the microwave or giving it a quick steam. Next, you’ll want to remove the corn husk wrapper and grab a fork because despite looking deceptively portable, tamales are easier to eat with a utensil.

Before digging in, top off your tamale with a dollop of cold salsa to counter the hot masa, or opt for guacamole, sliced avocado, sour cream, crumbled queso fresco, or hot sauce. If you’re enjoying a sweet tamale, you can top it with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or enjoy it with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate.