Mexican Cooking Terminology
HERBS, SPICES & CONDIMENTS
ESPECIAS
Ajo -- garlic
Achiote (ah-CHYOH-teh)--
Achiote is a bright red paste
made from ground annatto seeds,
spices and lime juice or vinegar.
It originated in the Yucatan
and has been used by the Maya
on fish, chicken and pork for centuries.
Albahaca (ahl-bag-AH-kah)--
basil
Albahaca dulce -- sweet basil
Alcaparra (ahl-kah-PUR-rah)--
caper
Alcaravea (ahl-kah-rah-VEH-ah)--
caraway
Ajedrea -- savory
Anis (ah-NEES)-- Anise
Azafran (ah-sah-FRAHN)-- Saffron
Azucar --Sugar
Canela (kah-NEH-lah)-- cinnamon
Cardamomo (kahr-doh-MOH-moh)--
cardamon
Cebollino (seh-boh-YEE-noh)--chive
Chile molido -- chili powder
Chili powder --
commercially, the product
made from ground red chiles,
including a variety of other spices
Chimaja -- Wild celery, root and leaf
Chepil --
wild fresh herb which grows
in the rainy season
Cilantro (see-LAHN-troh)--
Also known as coriander,
Cilantro is an herb used all over Mexico
to jazz up salsa and other dishes.
Its lively green color and equally lively flavor
are a great enhancement to many dishes!
Clavo (KLAH-voh)-- cloves
Comino (koh-MEE-noh)--
Cumin, powder or seeds
Crema tartaro -- cream of tartar
Cucuma -- tumeric
Curry en polvo -- curry powder
Epazote -- herb with special taste for meat or fish
Estragon (ehs-trah-GOHN)-- tarragon
Hierbabuena (yehr-bah-BWEH-nah)--
mint
Hinojo (ee-NOH-hoh)--fennel
Hoja aguacate -- avocado leaf, used as seasoning
Hoja de eneldo -- dill weed
Hoja de laurel (oh-ha deh lou-REHL) --
bay leaf
Jengibre (hehn-HEE-breh)--
ginger
Macis -- mace
Mayonesa -- mayonaise
Mejorama ---- Marjoram
Menta (MEHN-tah)--mint
Mostaza -- mustard
Nuez moscada (NEWS mohs-KAH-dah)--
nutmeg
Oregano -- Oregano
Perejil (peh-reh-HEEL)-- parsley
Pimenton (pee-mehn-TOHN)-- cayenne pepper
Pimienta hugara (pee-MYEHN-tah OO-gah-rah)--
paprika
Pimienta inglesa (pee-MYEHN-tah een-GLEH-sah)--
allspice
Pimienta blanca (pee-MYEHN-tah BLAHN-kah) --
white pepper
Pimienta negra (pee-MYEHN-tah NEH-grah)--
black pepper
Romero (roh_MEH-roh)-- Rosemary
Sal (SAHL)--Salt
Salvia (SAHL-vyah)-- sage
Semilla de ajonjoli -- sesame seed
Semilla de alcaravea -- caraway seed
Semillas de amapola -- poppy seed
Semillas de apio -- celery seed
Tomillo (toh-MEE-yoh)-- Thyme
Yerba Buena -- Wild mint, fresh or dried
Yerba Santa --
heart shaped leaves for seasoning,
with anise flavor
Know other terms that should be added ?
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