Below will be a list of savory Mexican spices. With all the Spanish influence it is not surprising to find some of the spices used in Mediterranean food here also.
Think of a lavish, delicious food cuisine and your thoughts drift towards the great “Mexican” food. The Mexican cuisine and food items owe their name and fame to the savory, unique spices that impart world-class aroma and taste to this cuisine. Although many Mexican food spices have made their way in markets world-wide (such as chili powder, oregano and cumin), there are still some that are native to the region and are only found there. We bring to you some spices from the land of Mexico along with their details to help you add more flavor to your meals.
Oregano: The authentic oregano that is grown and harvested in Mexico is truly divine in taste and aroma. The Mexican oregano is no less in comparison with the great Mediterranean oregano. This spice is greatly used in tomato sauces, vegetables, and grilled meat.
Cumin: Dried cumin seeds are one of the most common spices used in the world. Cumin adds a bitter, toasty flavor to many dishes, imparting them a unique taste. This spice is also called the hearty spice and helps cure many diseases and ailments. Cumin is made use in cooking vegetables, soups, sausages, etc.
Chipotle: The chipotle spice is a dried jalapeno, smoked to perfection. This spice forms an integral part of the Mexican cuisine, especially salsas, sauces and sausages.
Epazote: Epazote is a very strong and authentic spice from Mexico and is not royally used in all Mexican dishes. Because of its strong taste and aroma, its usage is limited to adding extra flavor to beans.
Allspice: The allspice is a dried, unripe berry. This spice owes its name “allspice” to the fact that it smells together of cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and cloves. The allspice is another authentic spice from Mexico and is greatly used in pasta and pizza recipes.
Basil: Mexico has been known as the birth place of as many as 50 different types of basil. This spice is greatly used in making soups, sauces, casserole, pasta, etc.
Cayenne Pepper: This spice called cayenne pepper is prepared from chili powder and is very spicy in taste. Even its aroma in hot food can cause tears in eyes. This spice is commonly used in salsas, dips, sizzlers, etc.
Chive: The chives are actually long, hollow leaves that are called a spice when dried, grinded and stored. This spice tastes like raw onion and is mainly used for garnishing the Mexican cuisine.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon resembles the dried bark of a tree and is reddish brown in color. It tastes bitter–sweet and is used in imparting aroma to beverages, desserts and marinades.
Paprika: Another very famous spice form Mexico is called paprika, prepared from red pepper. This spice is little spicy and is mainly used for garnishing purposes and for basting fish or chicken dishes.
These are some spices from Mexico that have retained their fame and presence in the food industry since times immemorial and are here to stay for long.
