Nearly all-Mexican recipes contain Mexican spices. Some spices, such as garlic and garlic powder, can be found anywhere but others are more exotic. Epazote is quite a rare spice and flavors foods such as beans. Also known, as “Mexican tea” epazote should be consumed sparingly because large amounts can be toxic when eaten by humans. It is strong but also soothes digestive pains caused by overindulgence in beans! Different spices are used in different dishes. For instance, spices for Mexican refried beans would differ from spices for beef burritos.

Chile powder is a popular spice in Mexican foods. It is used to add flavor to vegetables, and meats. Another Chile powder that is popular is Chipotle. It is made from Jalapenos that have been dried and smoked. The flavor is one of a kind and goes well with many dishes. It is gaining popularity outside of Mexico. One other type of chili pepper is Ancho. It is different from the other peppers because it has a sweet flavor similar to dried fruit.

Cumin, coriander, and oregano are very popular Mexican spices. Tomato dishes are often improved with some earthy oregano. Coriander is spicy and goes well with many recipes. Cumin, which takes three or four months to grow, has a very unique taste. It is a dry seed from the cuminum cyminum herb, which is a member of the parsley family. This spice is used to make chili powder and a variety of curry powders. You can also make a tea called “cumin cider” from this spice. Cumin has been used in cookery for hundreds of years throughout Mexico.

Some Mexican spices are used alone and others are made into blends. One popular blend is called recado rojo. It was used many years ago by the Mayans and is still extremely well liked. The annatto seeds it contains give it a red hue, which is transferred to the recipes you use it in your cooking. Cinnamon, cumin, garlic, clove, and oregano are some of the spices in recado rojo. Mexican foods from the Yucatan area are associated with this spice blend. It is also quite simple to make your own.

Achiote is the shrub that the annatto seeds come from which is added to the recado rojo mixture. This shrub is grown in Southeast Asia and was introduced to the Spanish in the 17th century. Consider an inedible fruit that is used for its seeds. Long ago American Indians used the seeds to make body paints. Parts of the shrub can be used in medical remedies for health problems such as headaches and burns.

If you want to try these spices from your home, they are available at major grocery stores. You can even make your own blend of Mexican spices. Gather a few of the mentioned spices in this article, along with paprika and salt, and blend them together for a sensational burst of flavor. This is a great blend of chilies. It can be added to foods that are baked, broiled and barbequed. It is perfect on chicken and pork. It is an excellent addition for your next barbeque. Let the grilling begin!