Flores Medicinales : Matlalxochitl

Botanical synonyms and subspecies Allosperma tuberosa (L.) Raf. Commelina acuminata Kunth Commelina alpestris Standl. et Steyerm. Commelina coelestis fo. albipetala Matuda Commelina coelestis Willd. Commelina dianthifolia Delile Commelina elliptica Kunth Commelina fasciculata Ruiz et Pav. Commelina graminifolia Kunth Commelina pallida Schltdl. Commelina pallida Willd. Commelina tuberosa L. Commelina tuberosa Lour. Commelina tuberosa Redouté Commelina tuberosa var. inflata M. Martens et Galeotti Commelina tuberosa var. nana M. Martens et Galeotti Also called : barquito, cacamatlalin (Bye and Linares, 2013), caña de pollo, … Continue reading Flores Medicinales : Matlalxochitl

Quelite : Metezurras

This Post is purely for informational purposes only. I have no personal experience using this herb either culinarily or medicinally and as much of the information on this species can be contradictory I recommend caution be demonstrated. A caution like this also demonstrates somewhat the loss of knowledge with regards to plants of this nature. The wild, weedy plants are often overlooked and replaced with … Continue reading Quelite : Metezurras

The Tortillero : An Unsung Kitchen Hero

It never once crossed my mind until I came across this tortilla warmer I found it on Facebook Marketplace and was immediately drawn to its 1970’s aesthetic. My initial reaction was to frame it like the piece of art that it is and display it rather than use it for its intended purpose. It was this “intended purpose” that slowed me down and got me … Continue reading The Tortillero : An Unsung Kitchen Hero

Quelite : Nurite

Nurite According to Martinez-Gordillo et al. (2013), Mexico has 14 species of Clinopodium, of which 10 species are endemic: C. amissum (Epling et Játiva) Harley C. ganderi (Epling) Govaerts C. hintoniorum (B.L. Turner) Govaerts C. jaliscanum (McVaugh et R. Schmid) Govaerts C. macrostemum (Moc. Et Sessé ex Benth.) Kuntze C. maderense (Henr.) Govaerts C. mexicanum (Benth.) Govaerts C. micromerioides (Hemsl.) Govaerts C. palmeri (A. Gray) … Continue reading Quelite : Nurite

Flor de Izote

Flor de izote is the name for the edible flowers of the Yucca plant. Also called : Flor de Itabo, Lamaparas de Dios, Daguillo, Yucca flower, Cuaresmeña, Chocha, Palm flower, Pito flower, and Guayas. Izote derives from the Nahuatl word izotl (iczotl) which is the name for a species of yuca (Yuca aloifolia)  According to the Nahuatl dictionary….. iczotl. Principal English Translation: a type of … Continue reading Flor de Izote

Trans-Pecos Poreleaf

Quelite : Porophyllum scoparium delves into this herb from a Mexican point of view (1). Here we look at it from the other side of the Rio Bravo (the Rio Grande if you’re standing on its northern banks). I go into greater detail of its culinary and its medicinal usage. This plant is very interesting is that it is being used in a clinical environment … Continue reading Trans-Pecos Poreleaf

Chincho. A Peruvian Quelite

After the Porophyllum species my next favourite group of wild herbs is the Tagetes family. My favourite child would be Pericón (Tagetes lucida which is a very Mexican herb (1) but snapping close on its heels would be its southern, more Bolivian primo Huacatay (Tagetes minuta) (2). Quelite : Pericón : Tagetes lucida Quelite : Huacatay : Tagetes minuta For more information on some of … Continue reading Chincho. A Peruvian Quelite

Rompope : Mexican Eggnog

Mexican rompope is typical of recipes that came out of the convents during Mexicos Colonial period (1), particularly from Puebla de Los Angeles (2). According to tradition, the original Mexican rompope beverage was created in Puebla’s Convento de Santa Clara in the 17th century by sisters of the Orden de las Hermanas Pobre de Santa Clara, better known in English as the Poor Clares. This … Continue reading Rompope : Mexican Eggnog

Tlatlapas. ¿Qué es eso? Vitamina T?

Another facet of the nutritional category known as “Vitamina T” or Vitamin T? Vitamin T is a substance called torulitine found in sesame seeds, egg yolks and pumpkin seeds (1). Vitamin T seems to be the forgotten vitamin with little research and attention paid to it. The Oxford Reference Dictionary would have us believe Vitamin T is “Factor found in insect cuticle, mould mycelia, and … Continue reading Tlatlapas. ¿Qué es eso? Vitamina T?