Epazote

Herb

Epazote

Epazote is a pungent Mexican and Central American herb with a resinous, petrol-mint aroma used in bean pots, quesadillas, soups, and mole variants. A few leaves perfume a whole pot; excess turns aggressively medicinal. Fresh sprigs are standard in Mexican markets. Dried epazote is available but softer. It is botanically a goosefoot (Dysphania), not related to European mint or oregano.

Also known as: Epazote, Epazote, Epazote

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Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

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Characteristics

Preparations

BruisedChilledChoppedCrackedDriedFreeze DriedFreshFrozenGroundInfusedMincedPastePickledPowderRubbedSeededToastedTornWhole

Provenance

BiodynamicFair TradeGreenhouse GrownHeirloomHeritage SeedLocally GrownNon-GMOOpen PollinatedOrganicPesticide FreeRegenerativeSeasonal

Sources

HydroponicIndoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

AromaticHerbaceousMedicinalMintPungentResinousSavouryStrong

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 38.4

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 0.76 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.21 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.37 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 25.9 mg
  • Salt 0.05 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 6.96 g
  • Dietary Fibre 3.85 g
  • Total Sugars 1.05 g
  • Complex / starch 0.95 g
  • Protein 2.99 g
  • Water 87.7 g
Detailed nutrients

Fresh herbs are aromatic leaves—modest macros, concentrated micronutrients and polyphenols per gram dry.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Epazote.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

MX

Epazote was used in Mesoamerican cookery and traditional practice long before European contact.

MX

Colonial-era Mexican cuisine retained epazote as the defining bean and soup aromatic.

Mexican regional cookbooks and markets kept epazote central while it remained rare abroad.

Specialty grocers and diaspora demand spread fresh and dried epazote internationally.

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