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You are here: Home » Mexican Ingredients » What Is Epazote, and How Do You Use It?

What Is Epazote, and How Do You Use It?

Published: Sep 7, 2019 · Updated: Apr 15, 2021 by Mely Martínez

Epazote, a fine aromatic herb from Mexico, is used in a great variety of dishes. Here you will get to know its origins, its uses, as well as how it is grown and harvested. You will also find a few recipes that you can make using Epazote.

Epazote herb leaf

Known in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times, with its hollow stalks and large leaves, epazote is a plant that is distinguishable by its strong, characteristic flavor. The word “epazote” comes from the Nahuatl language, but the scientific name of this herb is Dysphania ambrosioides. Depending on the region, epazote is also known as ipazote, pazote, pazoli, and paico (this last name deriving from the Quechua language)

In Latin America, epazote is very commonly used in cooking and in traditional medicine. It has two varieties, but the most popular one is known as “Epazote Común” (Common Epazote). With a broad presence in warm climates, the common epazote is capable of being harvested at up to 3 thousand meters above sea level.

Epazote flowers and seeds

Epazote has small green flowers where you can find the seeds.

Epazote is easy to grow in your backyard, much like other herbs used in Mexican cuisine. It is a plant that requires sun, sufficient soil, and water every third day. The plant has an average height of 40 cm to 1 meter, and can live between one and two years (possibly a bit longer with extra care). The Epazote plant can be invasive, so cut the stems as they grow on the top part, so that you always have tender leaves that offer a softer scent. These leaves and soft stems from the top of the plant are what you will use in your dishes.

Depending on the zone where you live, the plant can grow very tall, and if you don’t trim it, it will start to grow flowers (they’re very small in size). In these little flowers lie the seeds, and you can plant them in small pots with a little soil on top. When the plant has a height of approximately 15 cm, it is best to move it to a larger space with enough soil for it to grow healthy. Once you plant the seeds, it will take the plant approximately a month and a half to be harvestable.

Epazote growing in pots

How Do You Store Epazote?

The leaves and tender part of the stems of epazote can be preserved in the refrigerator for about 4 days if you place them in a plastic bag. Always keep them in the lower part of the refrigerator or in the vegetable drawer. You can also dry or freeze the epazote to store it for a longer period of time (freezing them is the best option for preserving their flavor and aroma).

Epazote Plant

Where Can You Buy Epazote?

If you live in Mexico, epazote can be easily obtained at your local market or from produce vendors. You can even find it being grown by some of your neighbors. For those living outside of Mexico, epazote is sold in both fresh and dried form at Latin food markets in the United States. Additionally, you can also find some dried epazote being sold online, even in Europe.

Mexican black beans

How Do You Use Epazote When Cooking?

For the kitchen, epazote is the preferred herb for adding a deep and very aromatic flavor to different dishes, like Frijoles de Olla (“Pot Beans”), Quesadillas, Esquites, and Arroz a la Tumbada (from the State of Veracruz). Since this is a delicate herb, it is often added near the end of the cooking process whenever it is used. You can use the fresh tender leaves and stems of the epazote plant, or the dried version (fresh is best!).

Epazote Mexican herb

Some people also use epazote to make tea, as it is believed to help regulate digestion, relieve stomach cramps, and even fight intestinal parasites. It can also help with gas and bloating, which is the reason why epazote is often used when cooking black beans.

Consuming epazote in large quantities can be toxic, so doing so is not recommended, especially for women who are nursing or pregnant. Essential oils made with epazote can also be harmful if consumed.

Other Recipes using Epazote:

Chilaquiles

Caldo de Camaron- Shrimp Soup

Seafood Soup

Quesadillas

Sautéed Mushrooms

Sopa de Milpa

References:

Heike Vibrans (ed.) (2009) Malezas de México. Retomado de:

https://web.extension.illinois.edu/herbs_sp/epazote.cfm

http://www.conabio.gob.mx/malezasdemexico/chenopodiaceae/chenopodium-ambrosioides/fichas/ficha.htm

https://www.utep.edu/herbal-safety/hechos-herbarios/hojas-de-datos-a-base-de-hierbas/epazote.html

Author: María Inés Muñoz Gordillo and Mely Martínez

Previous Post: « Tequila Sunrise Recipe (Mexican Cocktail Recipe)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. tifferella

    October 02, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    I use epazote in my frijoles.

    Reply
  2. Eunjoo ko

    January 27, 2020 at 7:09 am

    Are there any herb that has the similar taste as espazote? i really wanna try this herb but im living in Korea so i cant find this herb, i want to use herb for my pot beans. Any recommendation?

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      January 27, 2020 at 7:20 am

      Hello Eunjoo,
      Unfortunately, Epazote has a very unique taste and it is hard to find a substitute. You can add a cilantro sprig, although it is a completely different flavor, it is a good addition tot he beans. Happy cooking!

      Reply
    • Jaime Pulido

      April 08, 2020 at 8:27 pm

      Eunjoo;
      Just add a couple of fresh serrano chiles to your frijoles de la jolla while they're cooking,
      PROVECHO!!!

      Reply
      • Mely Martínez

        April 10, 2020 at 12:39 pm

        Hello Jaime,

        That sounds delicious!

        Reply
      • Carrie Jaimes

        September 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm

        Do I harvest seeds (for next year) while they are green or dried up on the plant?

        Reply
        • Mely Martínez

          September 24, 2020 at 7:10 am

          Hello Carrie,
          Cut the tips of the branches that have the seeds. Let them dry for some weeks, then you harvest the seeds. That is the way I do it.

          Reply
          • Michael K Malone

            February 23, 2021 at 10:21 am

            Here in Orlando the plant grows wild and my garden is full of them each year. I've never had to harvest the seeds.

          • Mely Martínez

            February 23, 2021 at 1:15 pm

            Hello Michael,

            I'm glad to know it can be found in Florida. Thank you for sharing that. Lucky you that do not need to look for Epazote. Enjoy it!

    • Silvia Pereida

      December 30, 2020 at 8:57 pm

      You can find the dried kind on Amazon and or its seeds it should grow well in korea

      Reply
    • James

      January 05, 2021 at 5:39 am

      In Canada, check out Mexi-Market. They do mail order,possiblybto Korea. I just got my first order,very reasonable prices,good service. I’ve never used epazote before.

      Reply
    • Victoria

      February 03, 2021 at 2:35 am

      Taste-wise, you can try perilla leaf. (Ggetnip)

      Reply
  3. SB

    November 12, 2020 at 6:04 pm

    You can purchase dried espazote online.

    Reply

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Mexico in my kitchen | Mely Martinez

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.

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