{"product_id":"oaxaca-red-epazote-organic-seeds","title":"Oaxaca Red Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides) Organic Seeds – Red-Stemmed Mexican Herb, Pungent Citrus-Anise Flavor, Classic Bean \u0026 Salsa Seasoning","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e50+ Seeds\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOaxaca Red Epazote — The Herb That Tames Beans\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEvery abuela in central Mexico knows the trick: drop a sprig of epazote into the bean pot and the beans stop causing trouble. This red-stemmed strain from Oaxaca carries the pungent, citrus-and-anise punch that has flavored black beans, quesadillas, and salsa verde for thousands of years, part of Mesoamerican diets since before maize agriculture matured. The wine-red stems make it as striking in a bed as it is useful in a pot. Grown by seed savers working with Oaxacan lineages, this is not the bland, greened-out epazote sold in most nurseries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Grows Oaxaca Red Epazote?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe home cook making pot beans who wants the real herb, not a substitute.\u003cbr\u003eThe salsa verde purist chasing the flavor of an Oaxacan market stall.\u003cbr\u003eThe Mesoamerican foodways gardener growing pre-Columbian crops on purpose.\u003cbr\u003eThe gardener who wants a self-sowing patch, not a one-season herb.\u003cbr\u003eThe ornamental-edible grower drawn to red stems against green leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Pungent Mexican Herb Actually Is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDysphania ambrosioides\u003c\/em\u003e, formerly \u003cem\u003eChenopodium ambrosioides\u003c\/em\u003e, is native to Central America and Mexico and naturalized across the warmer Americas. This Oaxaca Red strain shows deep burgundy stems that set it apart from the common green form; the leaf blade stays green. It grows as a fast, upright annual or short-lived perennial reaching 2 to 4 feet, narrow toothed leaves smelling like citrus peel, turpentine, and anise. Used fresh in beans, tamales, and quesadillas de flor, it carries a compound called ascaridole responsible for its sharp flavor and traditional use against intestinal parasites. Ascaridole is toxic in concentrated or essential-oil form, so use epazote in modest culinary amounts, not as an extract; pregnant women should avoid it. Perennial in zones 8 through 10, grown as a self-seeding annual elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Kitchen \u0026amp; Herb Garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassic pot beans:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add one fresh sprig to simmering beans in the last 20 minutes for a rounder, less gassy pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalsa verde:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chop leaves into tomatillo salsa for the citrus edge of Oaxacan and Puebla-style versions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuesadillas de flor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Layer fresh leaves with squash blossoms and cheese, fold, and griddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHuitlacoche and mushrooms:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use as the traditional pairing with corn smut and wild mushrooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTamales verdes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fold minced leaves into green tamale filling for a more traditional profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDigestive tea:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steep one leaf briefly in hot water for a traditional after-meal drink, used sparingly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Oaxaca Red Epazote Seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow once soil warms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Surface sow; needs light and sprouts in 7 to 21 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best between 65 and 75°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart; it spreads readily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the strongest stem color and flavor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tolerates poor, dry soil; rich soil gives lush but blander growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast growing, harvestable within about 8 weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick young leaves and tips continually; flavor strengthens with maturity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-seeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-seeds aggressively; many let it naturalize in a dedicated bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness and toxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial zones 8-10, annual elsewhere; contains ascaridole, use in modest amounts, skip if pregnant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Close This Page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOaxaca Red carries the same citrus-anise punch with striking burgundy stems. It's the herb behind authentic pot beans, salsa verde, and quesadillas de flor. It germinates fast, grows fast, and self-seeds readily once established.  Perennial in zones 8 through 10, annual elsewhere. Grow the herb that has kept beans honest since before maize was domesticated.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"terramatergardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54227765035326,"sku":"11573","price":3.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/8836\/7166\/files\/candles-5760.png?v=1788346920","url":"https:\/\/www.terramatergardens.com\/products\/oaxaca-red-epazote-organic-seeds","provider":"Terra Mater Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}