EHL Ingredients has launched a new natural ingredient to the UK food sector – Mexican Oregano.
It features the dried leaves of the perennial herb Lippia graveolens and was, according to the company, launched in response to customer demand for an authentic Mexican Oregano herb.
Dried under the Mexican sun, the leaves appear light green in colour and are said to have a pungent, slightly bitter flavour with a woody aroma. This variety offers a stronger, more robust, taste which works well with spicy foods, said EHL Ingredients, making it ideal for recreating authentic Mexican cuisines, dishes and meals, as it combines well with spicy ingredients such as cumin, paprika and chilli peppers. It is said to be ideal for food manufacturers, chefs, restaurant owners and caterers to add to Tex-Mex foods such as nachos, burritos, chilli con carne, adobos, bean dishes as well as Latin American-style soups and dips.
The importer, blender and packer of natural food ingredients supplies new Mexican Oregano in a heat-treated, dried herb form in varying quantities, from 1kg up to 10kg bags in bulk.
“Mexican food is reaching new heights of success in the UK, both within in-home dining and eating out,” said Tasneem Backhouse, sales director at EHL Ingredients. “Consumers love the freshness, value, range of flavours and speed associated with the cuisine so food manufacturers and dining outlets should ensure they are using authentic ingredients to guarantee a successful product.”
“Oregano from Europe is usually sourced in Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece and Italy and this variety works well in dishes from this part of the world and it’s an ingredient the food industry is familiar with. The Mexican variety offers a stronger taste with a hint of citrus, which means food manufacturers can use less in their recipes and formulas, offering a cost-effective way to create authentic Mexican flavours in a dish.
“We decided to launch the product following demand from our customers for a premium quality, versatile Mexican Oregano herb and we trialled many varieties before selecting our unique blend. We are confident that demand for authentic herbs and spices will continue to grow as consumers become more knowledgeable about international flavours thanks to travel, celebrity chefs, restaurant experience and home cooking. It’s essential food manufacturers stay ahead of these trends and ensure they recreate dishes well to ensure a successful and popular end product.”
“The Mexican food market is highly competitive both within retail and in the restaurant sector. We understand that manufacturers have to work hard to reinvent products and innovate to maintain customer interest and loyalty. We work with many leading food manufacturers to provide our natural herbs and spices and can even work with product development teams to develop custom blends or organic varieties.
“Our products are 100% natural and have been trialled and tested to ensure flavours are maintained during the food production process resulting in high quality dishes that end users will love,” concluded Backhouse.
