Mexican Spice list makes Mexican cuisine renowned for its vibrant and aromatic flavors combining heat, smoke, sweetness, and depth to end up with unforgettable dishes.
Mexican Spice list converts any recipe and upgrades it to the next goodness level.
If you are a Mexican food lover, let’s embark on a flavorful journey where you will find a full guide to the commonly used Mexican spices to unlock the secrets and enrich your cuisine with the deepest and most transformative flavors ever.
About The Mexican Cuisine
Mexican cuisine is well-known worldwide for its vibrant and spiced recipes which are achieved from the various Mexican herbs and spices used that go beyond taco seasoning spices introduced by Aztecs, Mayans, and others.
From the heat of chile peppers to the earthiness of cumin and the warmness of cinnamon, the Mexican spice list manifests itself among others and plays a crucial role in shaping this country’s taste.
Many Mexican dishes and stews depend heavily on the just right spice combination such as mole poblano.
Moreover, spices are used in baking like anise that adds a sweet herbal aroma to the soft and fluffy pan dulce.
It is better to toast spices and grind them by yourself to enjoy the superior flavor of the freshly ground seasoning.
There is a specific Mexican spice list that combines different flavor profiles adding depth and distinctive complexity to any dish they are added to.
The traditional Mexican spice list
When it comes to Mexican cuisine, the most vibrant and aromatic spices and herbs are mentioned.
Here is a list of Mexican spices and herbs that are commonly used to give the Mexican dishes their distinctive extraordinary character.
Achiote
It is the seed of the annatto tree that grows in the tropical regions of the Americas.
It is orange-red and the reason for the bright orange color of Mexican food, they are dried and ground to a powder form or prepared as a paste.
It adds an earthy and sweet flavor to the dish and is used mainly in sauces or marinades, matches well with citrus, and is used as a coloring agent.
Allspice
Allspice is the dried unripened fruit of the Pimenta dioica tree that grows in Southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
It is named so because it combines the taste profile of cinnamon, ginger, clove, and nutmeg.
The fascinating property of allspice is that it can be used in sweet and savory dishes.
It is used in preparing adobo, the seed-based pipian sauce, and as a pickling spice, in addition to the sweet recipe application.
Anise
Anise is the seed of a plant growing in Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia.
It is imported into Mexican cuisine from the Mediterranean and is essential in the traditional Day of the Dead bread in Mexico.
It adds a herbal taste and aroma to the Mexican spice list and is a main ingredient in the multi-ingredient sauce mole poblano.
Also, it is widely used in baking such as sweet bread like pan de muerto, and cookies like the delicious anise cookies, and cakes.
It has a similar taste profile to fennel, licorice, and tarragon, and goes well with cinnamon and vanilla.
Also, discover amazing anise seed for hair growth.
Avocado leaves
The dried leaves of the Mexican Avocado trees are used to give a flavor similar to anise and hazelnut.
It is used in Southern and Central Mexico to season dishes like bean tamales.
Be careful to use only Mexican Avocado leaves as trees from other countries may be toxic.
Cacao
The Mexican spice list contains strange ingredients like cacao.
Mexican cuisine uses cacao in savory recipes too, it goes very well with chiles as in mole poblano, the most famous complex sauce of the Puebla region.
Cinnamon
It is the dried inner bark of a tree growing in Sri Lanka.
Mexican cuisine uses the true cinnamon “Ceylon” and is called “Canela” which differs from the Cassia cinnamon used in Canada and the USA.
It was introduced to Mexican cuisine by the Spanish conquistadors and is characterized by its warm, sweet, and aromatic taste notes.
It is usually used in sweet recipes, and in making cafe de olla; however, it can be used in savory dishes too, adding depth, originality, and warmness to soaps and stews.
Moreover, it matches very well with some vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, and onions.
Chile powder
The backbone of Mexican Cuisine, it is a mixture of ground dried chiles called “chile powder” is abundant and well-known in Mexican cuisine, the blend differs between companies and depends entirely on personal preferences.
Archaeologists believe that Chile peppers were domesticated in Mexico 6000 years ago.
It is used as a powder to season fruits and vegetables while, in its whole form in savory dishes.
Chile powders are a quick substitute for whole dried chiles, but make sure the powder is made of one type of chile.
Clove
Known as “Clavos de Olor” which means nails that smell, they are the flower buds of evergreen trees growing in Indonesia.
It has a distinct intense and sweet flavor that adds a satisfying mouthfeel to a spectrum of Mexican recipes.
It is a main ingredient in mole poblano and the seed-based stew pepian, however, the amount used must be balanced correctly as cloves’ flavor is strong and may take over other ingredients and turn your dish bitter.
Coriander
It is the seed of the cilantro plant and is characterized by its floral citrusy flavor with a nutty note.
It is essential in the Mexican spice list, used for flavoring chorizo and adding a warm sweet flavor to a wide array of dishes such as black bean soup, it also gives a tart boost to vegetables and spice dry rubs.
It gives a good combination with black pepper, thyme, and cumin.
Cumin
The seed of a flowering plant growing in the East Mediterranean and South Asia.
It is one of the most popular Mexican spices which gives complexity to dishes with its earthy, hearty, warm, tart, and citrussy flavors.
It can stand up to other robust flavors can elicit delicate nuances from sweet vegetables or mild pastries and matches well with coriander and chile peppers.
Epazote
A plant that is native to Mexico, and South America, it has a tart flavor with hints of oregano, mint, and citrus.
It is used to season black bean dishes and Mexican sauces, it is also known for its digestive system relief effect.
Garlic
Garlic adds a strong and earthy flavor that powers many Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes,
It can be used fresh or dried.
It is added to burrito fillings, Tacos, guacamole, and many other dishes.
Mexican Bay Leaves
The leaves of an evergreen shrub growing in Mexico with an herbal and floral flavor resembling oregano and marjoram.
It is used to season soups, broths, stews, and rice, in addition to its medicinal uses.
What are different types of Bay leaves?
Mexican Oregano
It is characterized by its pungent flavor with citrus and licorice hints.
It is perfect with cumin, paprika, and chile peppers and used in preparing soaps, stews, and bean dishes.
Mexican oregano is different from the Mediterranean one, so make sure you are purchasing the Mexican one.
Nutmeg
It is a warm spice that resembles an important addition to the Mexican spicy frothy hot chocolate, moreover, it is added to savory winter chicken or squash dishes, with a surprisingly brilliant effect with greens.
Explore the health benefits of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Paprika
It is a spice of ground dried sweet red bell peppers, it adds a sweet mild with a smoke flavor undertone.
It is used widely in Mexican recipes to add bright red color and flavor to many soups and stews.
Paprika can be hot and spicy or mild and sweet which is the mainly used type in Mexico.
Sesame
With its nutty flavor sesame is used widely in Mexican cuisine as a topping on desserts or entrees, and it pairs well with chiles and is a star ingredient in moles and salsas.
Also, it can be ground to form a rich creamy nutty paste.
Vanilla
The pods of the vine in the orchid family, it is native to Mexico and South America, it is sweet and smoky and gives good results when mixed with cinnamon and cloves.
It is used extensively in desserts in Mexican cuisine such as flan, cakes, cookies, ice cream, and even hot chocolates.
Moreover, it can be used in savory dishes, especially in the Veracruz area.
What is the substitute for vanilla bean paste?
Mexican spices brands
Due to the growing love for Mexican Food and spices, Some brands produce ready-made Mexican spices to enjoy the Mexican experience.
Some of them are:
- Tajin Clasico seasoning: chili peppers with lime seasoning.
- Kinder’s Fajita blends Mexican seasoning and spice
- Sazon Goya with coriander and annatto
- El Guabo whole Guajillo pods.
Buy the best Mexican spices
Because of the importance and necessity of herbs and spices in Mexican cooking, you must be careful when purchasing your spices to obtain the exact Mexican flavor you are looking for.
For this reason, Zestyhut offers the best Mexican spice list that bursts with flavors and aroma.
Our Mexican spice formula is freshly prepared and evaluated to ensure the best taste every time as if you travelled in a journey to Mexico.
Contact Us Now and obtain your packet now and bring the fantastic Mexican cuisine into your kitchen.
Homemade Mexican seasoning recipe
The good news is that anyone can prepare his Mexican seasoning using the preferred Mexican spice list to add a special signature to different dishes.
Here is a suggestion for Mexican seasoning recipe:
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ Chipotle flakes
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Coriander
- Nutmeg
- 2 teaspoon Sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Other optional ingredients
- Mexican Bay Leaves
- Epazote
- Cloves
You just need to toast all these spices and grind them very well, then store the blend in an airtight glass jar in a dark, dry, and cool place.
Uses of the Mexican spices
The authentic Mexican spice list is versatile and used to flavor a wide spectrum of dishes increasing depth and complexity, here are some common uses of these spices.
Tacos
Tacos are a fundamental Mexican dish, they are versatile and feature various fillings such as meats, vegetables, and beans.
They are seasoned with cumin, chile powder, and Mexican oregano, also you can obtain them gluten-free with the gluten-free taco seasoning mixture.
Mole Sauces
It is a rich complex sauce prepared from Mexican ingredients such as chile peppers, cacao, nuts, and spices like cumin, cloves, and cinnamon.
It is a staple in Mexican cuisine, served with chicken or turkey.
Tamales
A traditional Mexican dish prepared from a corn dough called “masa”, filled with meat or cheese and cooked over steam.
They are seasoned with epazote, cumin, and chilli powder.
Salsas
An essential component in Mexican cuisine, it is made of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chile peppers, and spiced with lime extract, Mexican oregano, and cumin.
Different types of Mexican chile peppers
Mexican cuisine is well-known for its ultimate use of chile peppers, here are their types in brief:
- Mulato: 1-2K Scoville units.
- Pasilla Negro: 1-2K Scoville units.
- Cascabel: 1-2.5K Scoville units.
- Guajillo: 2.5-5K Scoville units.
- Ancho: 4-9K Scoville units.
- Pasilla de Oaxaca: 4-10K Scoville units.
- Puya o pulla: 5-10K Scoville units.
- Chipotle Meco: 5-10K Scoville units.
- Chipotle Morita: 5-10K Scoville units.
- Costeno Rojo: 5-15K Scoville units.
- Smoked red Serrano: 8-18K Scoville units.
- De Arbol: 15-30K Scoville units.
- Japones: 15-30K Scoville units.
- Pequin: 40-58 Scoville units.
- Chiltepin: 100- 250K Scoville units.
- Habanero: 150-325K Scoville units.
Conclusion
Mexican cuisine is rich and complex with a wide variety of spices which is combined to form a Mexican spice list that can completely transform your dish and incredibly enhance its flavors.
You are missing a lot if you still haven’t tried it, don’t hesitate to taste the most flavourful spice mixture that tangles your taste buds.
FAQs
What are the main Mexican spices?
The main commonly used list of Mexican spices and herbs includes allspice, cumin, coriander chile powder, Mexican oregano, ceylon, cacao, and cloves which reflect the broadness of Mexican Cuisine.
What is allspice in Mexico?
Allspice is called “pimienta gorda” in Mexico which means fat peppercorn.
It is not a spice however, it is the unripe dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree.
Its English name is derived due to its aroma and flavor which is similar to ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg together.
It is used with cinnamon and cloves to prepare the traditional Greek-style meat pasta sauce.
What are the basic Mexican Flavours?
The authentic flavoring of Mexican herbs and spices resembles the backbone of the distinctive flavor profile of Mexican cuisine.
The Mexican seasoning is a blend of bold and contrasting flavors.
Starting from the sweet spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to the pungent flavor of coriander and epazote, with the earthy flavor of cumin that meets the heat of chile powder, Mexican cuisine possesses a spice symphony that manifests itself.
What does Mexican spice taste like licorice?
Anise is an import from the Mediterranean.
It adds an herbal aroma and flavor that is essential in Mexican desserts and savory recipes like mole poblano.
What is the hottest Mexican spice?
A type of Chili pepper called Habanero grows in the Yucatan peninsula and is orange or red.
Its fruity taste with citrus and floral aroma makes it a perfect ingredient for the preparation of hot sauces in many Mexican recipes like fajita.
What is the red Mexican spice?
Guajillo, is a kind if red pepper with a dark red color and pungent tannic flavor.
It has a mild to medium heat and a broad taste profile.
Is Mexican seasoning the same as Taco seasoning?
No, they are not the same, they differ in their spice composition and degree of spiciness.
Usually, taco seasoning is milder than Mexican seasoning which contains more chipotle chile peppers and ancho powder which give it a spicier twist.
What are the most common Mexican spices?
Allspice, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, chile peppers, cloves, cacao, Mexican oregano, and thyme are among the most common Mexican spices listed.
What are some Mexican spices?
Some spices on the Mexican spice list are allspice, chile powder, coriander, and cumin.
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The Mexican spice list is rich in contrasting spices and herbs that add depth and complexity to Mexican dishes and become popular all over the world.
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All about the incredible Mexican spice list and its culinary uses.
