Hoja Santa

An aromatic herb, with an aroma similar to nutmeg or black pepper, that grows 6 to 8 feet tall and is commonly used for seasoning Mexican food dishes and mole verde. The tender stem of this plant provides a flavor that is anise or sarsaparilla-like in taste. Because of the size of this herb, the leaf is often used as a food wrap for fish, poultry or tamales. Also known as sacred pepper, sacred leaf, root beer plant, eared pepper, yerba santa, hierba santa, acuyo, or Mexican pepperleaves. Tarragon can be substituted if necessary for this herb.