Harvesting Jamaica.
First of all. It’s not pronounced like this… Its closer to huh – my – ca (the last bit sounds like cup without the p). We are talking about a species of hibiscus whose calyxes are used culinarily and medicinally. The images below are from my garden. The plant/flower is also regularly misidentified (which is kind of a gripe of mine) See Flor de Jamaica … Continue reading Harvesting Jamaica.
Totomoxtle (and the Tamal)
Hoja para tamales (leaves for tamales) One of the most interesting things (well to me anyway) when learning about something is the language used. I really enjoy looking into the etymology of the origin of a word. Mexico is very interesting as you already know several words of Nahuatl origin, perhaps even without being aware of it. Words like chocolate, tomato and avocado all have … Continue reading Totomoxtle (and the Tamal)
Allelopathy and Companion Planting.
The language of botany and medicine can be quite poetic. The words are derived from historical languages and may (usually) contain Latin or Greek terms (1) and each word if etymologically (2) broken down is a story in itself. As a somewhat appropriate example I present an example as given by Babbel Magazine (3). “The word avocado comes from Spanish aguacate (sometimes ahuacate), which in … Continue reading Allelopathy and Companion Planting.
Authentic Mexican Food?
See also my Post :“Cultural” Appropriation of Cuisines? for another aspect of this. What is authentic Mexican (1) food? In my mind it is the food cooked in the homes, by the people. Restaurant food is one aspect of a cultures food but it is a distorted aspect. Just as I don’t eat at a café or restaurante every day for every meal nor does … Continue reading Authentic Mexican Food?
Porophyllum ruderale : A Medical Study
Porophyllum ruderale is used as both a culinary (1) and medicinal herb in its place of origin (2). It has unfortunately suffered from its association with the indigenous peoples of México and like many of these plants has been replaced by imported herbs due to this association (3). This is also noted by the author of the study we are now looking at who states … Continue reading Porophyllum ruderale : A Medical Study
Aceitilla : Bidens pilosa
Genus epithet ‘Bidens’ (BY-dens) means ‘twice’ (bi) and ‘toothed’ (dens), a reference to the two bristles on the tip of the achene-seed (1) of some members of this genus. Species epithet ‘pilosa’ means ‘hairy’, describing the velvety foliage. Synonyms: Bidens abadiae DC; Bidens abadiae var. Sherff pilosoides ; Bidens arenaria Gand.; Bidens gully ME Jones; Bidens bimucronatus Turcz.; Bidens californica DC.; Bidens caracasana DC.; Bidens … Continue reading Aceitilla : Bidens pilosa
Estrella del Mar (Ulam Raja) : Cosmos caudatus
Cosmos caudatus Synonyms Common Names Sometimes called “Spanish needles” although this name is typically used for the (closely related) herb Bidens pilosa. Some Common Names in Asian countries Indonesia: kenikir (Java), randa midang (West Java). Philippines: cosmos (Tagalog), turay-turay (Bisaya), onwad (Ifugao). Thailand: daoruang-phama (Bangkok), khamhae (northern). Malaysia: ulam raja, hulam raja, pelampong. In Malay culture, the word “ulam” refers to certain plants found locally … Continue reading Estrella del Mar (Ulam Raja) : Cosmos caudatus
Cilantro Substitute : Kesum
My search for cilantro substitutes, which gave me my first introduction to papalo, also introduced me to another herb called Rau ram (1) and, although this herb was found in Teubners book (2) as a potential substitute for cilantro, its flavour was simply too different and I have never really used it (either in cooking or medicinally). I have grown it though. I do have … Continue reading Cilantro Substitute : Kesum
Ayauhtona. Another Poreleaf?
Welcome to my 200th Post. My initial reason for starting this Blog began with a single herb; Papaloquelite. I first came across this herb when I was searching for cilantro substitutions and it was a book by a German chef (Christian Teubner) that introduced me to the first in this family, Quillquina (Porophyllum ruderale) (1). Richters Herbs in Canada has been growing and selling herbs … Continue reading Ayauhtona. Another Poreleaf?
Taco Travesty
Don’t judge me. OK, maybe you can judge just a little bit (but not like the stupid laughing cow). It appears that the more commercialised a taco is the further it strays from Gods light. I came upon this culinary travesty in my local dependant grocer. It reminded me of the sin against nature known as the “gas station burrito” and I knew that, without … Continue reading Taco Travesty
Masa Americana 