What Makes Mexican Herbs and Spices So Fascinating?

by Christine Szalay-Kudra

It is the herbs and spices used in Mexican cooking that truly make the meal. If these ingredients were not added, a Mexican dish would not differ greatly from many others. The herbs and spices used in Mexico help make the cuisine special. It is good to learn all you can about them.

Chile powder is used in almost every Mexican dish. This common spice is usually a mixture of many different chilies. Chipotle is one kind of seasoning you may find. It is made from dried smoked jalapeno peppers. Ancho peppers, on the other hand, give food a more sweet, fruity flavor. Many commercial chile powders that you find at the market are actually a combination of oregano, coriander, cumin, garlic, salt, and chilies.

Epazote is used in bean dishes. This tall green herb is also known as Mexican tea. It adds flavor and helps relieve digestive issues that beans can cause. Epazote is potent, so only add a leaf or two to your dishes. Large quantities of epazote can be toxic.

Annatto seeds give food a distinctive flavor and a yellow coloring. It is often used in rice dishes and sauces. The seeds should be soaked in water for at least an hour. After soaking, they are crushed. Sometimes recipes call for the water that the seeds were soaked in; others call for the seeds themselves. They are often used in marinades along with other spices.

Cilantro is a popular herb that resembles flat leaf parsley. They are actually the leaves produced by the coriander plant. This herb is always used fresh. The flavor is tangy with a pungent quality that really makes a dish sing. It adds a nice bright note to rice, moles, salsas, beans, soups and stews.

Cumin is a spice made from the seeds of the cumin plant. They can be used whole or ground into a powder. Cumin is often used in conjunction with chile powder to create a balance in flavor. It is often used in soups, stews and other common dishes. Azafran is known as Mexican saffron, or safflower. This spice is used in very small amounts because it can be bitter. It causes the dish to develop a beautiful saffron like color and is often used in rice and seafood dishes.

If you study authentic Mexican food recipes you will see these spices used frequently, along with others such as thyme and oregano. In Mexico, they have a unique type of oregano that is earthier in flavor than Italian oregano. You can find this Mexican oregano in some herb catalogs. Unless you live in an area with a large Mexican population, it may be difficult to find it in local nurseries or grocery stores.

Familiarize yourself with the flavors of Mexico by studying the herbs and spices they commonly use in their cooking. You cannot get an authentic flavor without them. Make the most of your Mexican recipes by learning how to use these spices correctly. Your recipes will turn out much better once you understand the nuances of these seasonings.

About The Author:

Mexican food makes a great change from the usual dishes and if you want to surprise your family with something deliciously different tonight. Mexican food is tasty and will be a favorite. Traditional Mexican food is as easy to make as they're tasty. As the mom of four boys Mexican food is a favorite in our home.

http://www.MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food