What are some uses for Dried Manzanilla?

Question

I live in Central Texas and our local grocery store, H.E.B. and/or Central Market carries a pretty great variety of produce. Being a curious chef, I typically linger over the more unique items in the store. One that has always intrigued me was the little bundle of dried manzanilla--it looks like a small bundle of thin twigs or kindling and smells like fresh cut grass. I cannot find anything on the internet about it except that it is a relative of the chamomile flower. All other searches for manzanilla bring up the Sherry from Spain and the olive varietal, which I was already familiar with. What are these little twigs used for??? I even bought a bundle since it was only $0.49, but I'd like to do something with it instead of looking at it. I was thinking it may be used in some sort of Mexican soup or broth...thoughts?

Answer 1

Mostly it is brewed as a tea to aid in digestion or sooth a colicky baby. There are marinades for fish and sauces that it works well in but it should be brewed and the leaves and branches discarded as they are hard on the pallet and digestion. My suggestion is to use it as you might green tea - make Ice cream, marinate talapia (tea, oil, cumin, salt and pepper) then grill or use the tea to make a sweet and savory sauce for chicken (tea, starch, dried cilantro and red pepper) pour over grilled or baked chicken for a pleasant and refreshing sauce. I hope you enjoy this and it gets your creative juices on the move.

Answer 2

Manzanilla Tea Uses

Answer 3

I've only seen it used as a tea or as an ingredient in a glaze for a special holiday bread.

If you like the flavor, you could certainly use it to enhance, say, a bread or cake recipe. You'd just brew up a tea of it and use it in place of water. Some recipes advocate herbal tea instead of water (especially tea with mint in it.)

You can experiment, but start first with the tea by itself and see how you like it. Then you'll have an idea of how it tastes and where you might substitute it. And sweeten it if it's gross by itself...I don't know how you like your tea.

Chamomile and manzanilla are used to make relaxing tea and also in hair care to brighten up blonde hair (use the tea as a rinse or sometimes you see it in shampoos.)

As I have very dark hair, I don't use it, but some blondes swear by it...

Answer 4

Idont think mexican people use it for food, however it is very good as a tea. it helps with crams and stomach aches, it is also good to wash you hair , just boil and use the water to wash your hair makes your hair shine and light .

Answer 5

its a type of chamomile used for tea making

Answer 6

TEA