Huacatay Plant In English

This peruvian staple condiment is an herb paste made of black mint a native plant related to the marigold family with long thin leaves that have jagged edges.

Huacatay plant in english. It is a definitive ingredient in locro a popular peruvian pumpkin potato chili and huacatay stew. Huacatay plants deter garden pests such as nematodes. Huacatay also commonly known in english as peruvian black mint is a herb with minty aniseed and citrusy aromas and very popular not just in peru but many parts of south america. It is commonly sold in latin grocery stores in a bottled paste format as black mint paste.

Mexican marigold peruvian black mint and tagetes minuta these are all names for huacatay an annual herb that is native to south america. In effect this achieves a less fine ground but allows greater absorption of flavor. Tagetes minuta is native to the southern half of south america and has been introduced around the world including europe asia and africa. It is used as a culinary herb in peru ecuador and parts of chile and bolivia where it is called by the quechua term huacatay.

Join the discussion today. It is used informally in many dishes and formally in some well known dishes. Huacatay tagetes minuta is a tall and upright flowering plant in the family asteraceae. But its complex herbal aroma immediately reminds one of mint.

The medicinal and several other usages of the herb have made it one of the most demanded oil in the world. Huacatay is considered an essential herb for the cuisines of the andean mountains region. The main chemical components are valeric acid limonene tagetone etc. Notes of cilantro licorice and citrus can also be detected.

This herb is made into a paste with some salt and citric acid as preservatives and is usually bought in jars. Tiny yellow flowers and a penchant for attracting beneficial insects to the garden make huacatay an ideal addition to the landscape. Until recently i had never heard of huacatay paste. This herb is one of the most recognized and essential oil resources.

This species of marigold may grow to become from 0 6 1 3 meters tall. It is difficult to substitute described as having flavors of basil. Read the huacatay do you grow it. The herb huacatay is a green plant and has a pleasant smell.

In peru and other latin american countries the huacatay leaves are crushed using a fulling mill a tool of stone that serves as a traditional blender that substitutes for this device. It is also known as mexican marigold mint marigold wild marigold or stinking roger.