Does anyone else here grow epazote?

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#1

Post: # 2104Unread post Shule
Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:19 am

Does anyone else here grow epazote?

It's a fragrant herb in the same family as lambsquarter. It can be used to help people digest beans better, they say.

I grew some this year. It was slow to start, but got huge, eventually. I hope it reseeds.

There's a red kind that I want to try next year. I grew a green kind in 2019.

I really like the taste when it's cooked with beans. To me, it makes them feel more nutritious.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#2

Post: # 3283Unread post Shule
Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:44 pm

A friend gave me a pot of beans after we went over for Christmas. I added some frozen epazote leaves, some Aji Habanero peppers, and Tajin seasoning. I didn't taste the epazote, but I could feel it! Makes me feel quite a bit better. I think it has more taste unfrozen.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

donn
Reactions:
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2019 11:01 pm

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#3

Post: # 3294Unread post donn
Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:11 pm

Grows like weeds here in san antonio, even in pots.

User avatar
Tormato
Reactions:
Posts: 3699
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:14 pm

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#4

Post: # 3497Unread post Tormato
Sat Dec 28, 2019 1:18 pm

Shule wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:19 am Does anyone else here grow epazote?

It's a fragrant herb in the same family as lambsquarter. It can be used to help people digest beans better, they say.

I grew some this year. It was slow to start, but got huge, eventually. I hope it reseeds.

There's a red kind that I want to try next year. I grew a green kind in 2019.

I really like the taste when it's cooked with beans. To me, it makes them feel more nutritious.
Does trying but failing count?

My seed was from Wild Gardens. Nothing wrong with the seed, just something wrong with me. :oops:

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#5

Post: # 3588Unread post Shule
Sat Dec 28, 2019 7:41 pm

[mention]Tormato[/mention]

To be fair, mine struggled to get started in my unheated greenhouse. I got one tiny plant by transplant time (I overseeded, also), which eventually took off a couple months later or so. My hope is that it reseeds. However, I'm planning to try again with some red epazote next year.

To be fair, again, I did use a sub-optimal seedling mix that was nearly 100% compost, and not a compost easy to start seeds in.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#6

Post: # 3589Unread post Shule
Sat Dec 28, 2019 7:46 pm

[mention]Tormato[/mention]
Sure it counts, though. Just try again! ;) I'm thinking I might try pre-starting it in a plastic bag with a paper towel or something similar, with some water.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

User avatar
worth1
Reactions:
Posts: 14276
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:32 pm
Location: 25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#7

Post: # 3745Unread post worth1
Sun Dec 29, 2019 2:37 pm

I'm gonna have to keep an eye out for this weed and see if I have any growing wild around here.
Almost time to collect bed straw AKA sticky weed AKA sticky grass.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#8

Post: # 3996Unread post Shule
Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:57 pm

I've discovered that if I freeze the leaves, and cook with them, they don't add any flavor that I notice to the dish, but they still seem to improve tolerance of the beans. Well, I only tried it once (but it was a big difference vs. fresh).

If you use them fresh, they do add some flavor. I like the flavor, but some people say they don't like the taste; so, they might like to freeze the leaves first.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

User avatar
Rajun Gardener
Reactions:
Posts: 1689
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 9:00 am
Location: Lafayette La

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#9

Post: # 3999Unread post Rajun Gardener
Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:28 pm

Ya'll talking about that kerosene plant? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I made a Mexican pork and bean soup once with it. My comments when I posted the cook.
I found some epazote and added a little, this isn't for everybody. At first I could smell a slight kerosene smell but after cooked it faded.
image.png
image.png
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Zone: 9A
Climate: Hot and Humid
Avg annual rainfall: 60.48"

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#10

Post: # 4003Unread post Shule
Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:37 pm

Heh, heh. I wouldn't quite describe it as kerosene, but I think we're talking about the same plant! The leaves look the same. :) It reminds me of something Mexican I've had before, but I don't recall what: Those colorful sweet breads? Candy? Soda? Not sure.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

User avatar
Rajun Gardener
Reactions:
Posts: 1689
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 9:00 am
Location: Lafayette La

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#11

Post: # 4005Unread post Rajun Gardener
Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:39 pm

Google says different. LOL!
The long serrated leaves of the Mexican epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides or Chenopodium ambrosioides) herb have an unpleasant smell similar to bleach, kerosene or gasoline, although it is sometimes described as minty or citrusy. They lose most of their aroma during cooking, however.Jun 18, 2015
Zone: 9A
Climate: Hot and Humid
Avg annual rainfall: 60.48"

User avatar
Rajun Gardener
Reactions:
Posts: 1689
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 9:00 am
Location: Lafayette La

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#12

Post: # 4006Unread post Rajun Gardener
Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:40 pm

It's in the cilantro catagory, you either like it or not.
Zone: 9A
Climate: Hot and Humid
Avg annual rainfall: 60.48"

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#13

Post: # 4007Unread post Shule
Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:42 pm

[mention]Rajun Gardener[/mention]
I edited my post above again.

The freezing (before cooking) really seems to work if you don't like the flavor. Just cooking does, too (but the flavor changes to another flavor more than it's removed in cooking, IMO). I love the cooked taste, personally. It's okay raw, but I wouldn't recommend it to others raw.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

User avatar
Rajun Gardener
Reactions:
Posts: 1689
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 9:00 am
Location: Lafayette La

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#14

Post: # 4010Unread post Rajun Gardener
Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:50 pm

It's kinda like Laska in Asian food. It's easy to root too, get some from an Asian grocer and start them in water changing water every 2 days, plant when roots develop.
https://straitsroadkitchen.com/ingredie ... ka-leaves/
Zone: 9A
Climate: Hot and Humid
Avg annual rainfall: 60.48"

User avatar
TheDante
Reactions:
Posts: 308
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 10:56 am
Location: The Spreewald

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#15

Post: # 4079Unread post TheDante
Tue Dec 31, 2019 5:23 am

Rajun Gardener wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:50 pm It's kinda like Laska in Asian food. It's easy to root too, get some from an Asian grocer and start them in water changing water every 2 days, plant when roots develop.
https://straitsroadkitchen.com/ingredie ... ka-leaves/
You know Laksa! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… I have a few bottles of the paste stashed in our freezer for rainy craving days! A rare commodity for us! ;)
Karen´s current status - tomato nutcase :D

Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the blossoms, Kind deeds are the fruits - Karpal Singh

User avatar
worth1
Reactions:
Posts: 14276
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:32 pm
Location: 25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#16

Post: # 4086Unread post worth1
Tue Dec 31, 2019 5:47 am

Okay memorize what plant looks like check.
Test for kerosene smell check.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#17

Post: # 4089Unread post Shule
Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:11 am

Look for a lambsquarter-like plant with fragrant leaves. It's the only plant in the Amaranth family I know about that has much smell. (There might be others, but I haven't met another, yet.)
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

User avatar
Nan6b
Reactions:
Posts: 1545
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 2:58 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#18

Post: # 4117Unread post Nan6b
Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:10 am

I do like lamb's quarters for salad, especially when it's in seed. When it volunteers in my garden, I cultivate it. But never saw epazote.

User avatar
worth1
Reactions:
Posts: 14276
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:32 pm
Location: 25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#19

Post: # 4133Unread post worth1
Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:47 am

Haven't had nor seen lambsquarters in many years.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.

User avatar
Shule
Reactions:
Posts: 2729
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Does anyone else here grow epazote?

#20

Post: # 4246Unread post Shule
Tue Dec 31, 2019 5:38 pm

[mention]worth1[/mention]
Lambsquarter is our most ubiquitous weed in my garden. If I sent you a cup of soil, you'd probably get a hundred plants. You'd probably get some prickly lettuce, amaranth, common mallow, Asperugo procumbens, foxtails, weedy grass, and/or creeping Charley, too. Maybe some purslane, catnip, horehound, dandelions, and morning glory (the wild kind). Maybe other stuff. Maybe even salsify. But yeah, mostly lambsquarter. Hopefully epazote will proliferate.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

Post Reply

Return to “Herbs”