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Epazote
May 16, 2015 16:47:28 GMT -5
Post by wheelgarden1 on May 16, 2015 16:47:28 GMT -5
Has anyone here grown and used epazote? We use a lot of cilantro with bean dishes and Mexican dishes, for the flavor as well as the, umm, anti-flatulence properties. Some of our Mexican friends encourage us to try epazote for the same reasons, and I'm intrigued. Your thoughts?
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Epazote
May 16, 2015 17:27:29 GMT -5
Post by desertwoman on May 16, 2015 17:27:29 GMT -5
Really? Cilantro is an anti-flatulence? Do you find it effective?
Makes me wonder if the cilantro seed (coriander) works, too.
I've never used epazote, but now you have my curiosity stirred, for both of those!
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Epazote
May 16, 2015 18:58:45 GMT -5
Post by brownrexx on May 16, 2015 18:58:45 GMT -5
Never tried it, sorry.
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Post by pepperhead212 on May 16, 2015 19:15:32 GMT -5
I've never noticed the anti flatulence effect, but it is one of those wierd flavors you can get addicted to! And it re-seeds itself, becoming a weed, unless, like me, you keep harvesting it.
I have added epazote to bean recipes to black bean recipes at the beginning, and most of the flavor is gone by the end, and I really don't notice the antiflatulence effect. But many of Rick Bayless' recipes have up to 1/4 c chopped epazote, usually added at the end, as with cilantro, and this is when the flavor is delicious.
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Epazote
May 16, 2015 23:36:02 GMT -5
Post by davidjp on May 16, 2015 23:36:02 GMT -5
Not sure about the purported effects on gas but I actually really like the flavour. Just chuck some in to your pot of beans, adds a really nice flavour.
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Epazote
May 17, 2015 11:16:11 GMT -5
Post by OregonRed on May 17, 2015 11:16:11 GMT -5
I've heard of it, never used it, and don't even know what it looks like... <<<i'll go google it... "Epazote is used as a leaf vegetable, a herb and a herbal tea for its pungent flavor. Raw, it has a resinous, medicinal pungency, similar to anise, fennel, or even tarragon, but stronger. Epazote's fragrance is strong but difficult to describe. A common analogy is to turpentine or creosote. It has also been compared to citrus, savory, or mint. Although it is traditionally used with black beans for flavor and its carminative properties (less gas), it is also sometimes used to flavor other traditional Mexican dishes as well: it can be used to season quesadillas and sopes (especially those containing huitlacoche), soups, mole de olla, tamales with cheese and chili peppers, chilaquiles, eggs and potatoes and enchiladas. It is often used as an herb for white fried rice and an important ingredient for making the green salsa for chilaquiles.[5] The common Spanish name, epazote (sometimes spelled and pronounced ipasote or ypasote), is derived from Nahuatl: epazōtl (pronounced /eˈpasoːt͡ɬ/) meaning skunk sweat." www.bing.com/images/search?q=epazote&FORM=IARRTH
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Epazote
May 17, 2015 14:46:34 GMT -5
Post by brownrexx on May 17, 2015 14:46:34 GMT -5
Not sure that sounds so good.
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Epazote
May 17, 2015 15:33:29 GMT -5
Post by desertwoman on May 17, 2015 15:33:29 GMT -5
I guess that's calling it for what it is!
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Epazote
May 18, 2015 13:57:19 GMT -5
Post by wheelgarden1 on May 18, 2015 13:57:19 GMT -5
"Skunk sweat" --- now that's a folk name! I understand Epazote grows to 3-4 feet. I have some seed from Pinetree, so I'm going to poke a few in and see what it's like. I'm one of those people who usually like odd flavors like cilantro, so I'll try it and report. As for carminative effects, cilantro does work fairly well. I suppose it's not like taking Beano (never tried that) but it does work. Epazote is supposed to be even better. We'll see...
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Epazote
May 19, 2015 13:04:53 GMT -5
Post by johng44 on May 19, 2015 13:04:53 GMT -5
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Epazote
May 19, 2015 17:34:57 GMT -5
Post by desertwoman on May 19, 2015 17:34:57 GMT -5
Can anyone describe the flavor?
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Epazote
May 19, 2015 19:35:45 GMT -5
Post by davidjp on May 19, 2015 19:35:45 GMT -5
I'm not a good descriptive person but I'll have a go
Resiny, almost phenolic, not something thats really unpleasant but not that pleasant either. Shades of aniseed, but not as nice, very strong. But cook with it and I think its really nice
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Epazote
May 20, 2015 3:08:10 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by lilolpeapicker on May 20, 2015 3:08:10 GMT -5
Never heard of it and if it's like anise I am very unlikely to try.
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Epazote
May 20, 2015 9:06:44 GMT -5
Post by pepperhead212 on May 20, 2015 9:06:44 GMT -5
I have never noticed any hint of anise in it, despite the many descriptions I have seen comparing it to anise or fennel. The comparison to turpentine is much closer! Epazote grows as a weed in many places, so you may be able to find it locally. It grows up through cracks in sidewalks here! I like seeing people's reactions when I say to them "Do you know you have Mexican weed growing wild in your yard?" And the sawtooth leaves look sort of like pot. Here is a good photo of it. www.aerogardenblog.com/2012/01/epazote-what-is-it/
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Epazote
May 24, 2015 17:42:06 GMT -5
Post by claude on May 24, 2015 17:42:06 GMT -5
I grew it last year. The leaves were prickly..it was gel like aloe..I did not think it tasted anything like cilantro..did not like the texture.
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