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Belize Travel and Country Guide

Belize Travel and Country Guide

Belize guide for vacation, diving, caving, fishing, scuba, the Caribbean sea, Maya temples, friendly people, islands, snorkel, best tourist attractions, what to do..

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Belize Herbs Hoja Santa

Hoja Santa (Holy Leaf) Piper Auritum is common in Belize and used as a herb in cooking and in alternative medicine. Image Credit: Forest Starr

A common herb found in Belize with large love heart leaves adorned with white candle-like flowers smells deliciously fragrant of anise and black pepper. The taste test was disturbing though, as it immediately numbed my lips and tongue. If the Mayas have been using it for centuries it must be worthy of inclusion in the kitchen so I did some more research to be absolutely sure before experimenting at the stove. There are many different varieties in the piper pepper family and I am told there are more than 20 right around us.

The one I had encountered in Belize was Hoja Santa (Sacred Leaf) Piper Auritum which is said to relieve stress and anxiety much like kava kava. Another Piperaceae family member is Piper Aducum or Matico found all through the Caribbean and tropics. It was discovered that applying the leaves to wounds would stop the bleeding and was used as an antiseptic on ulcers and wounds. I have the belief that many of the piper family have this capability. Other names for Hoja Santa are: Mexican pepper plant; false kava; anisillo or root beer plant.

Yes it really does taste like sassafrass and sarsparilla both used in the creation of root beer. Although not related they all contain safrole. It is used as a flavouring and condiment for soups and eggs. It can be stuffed with chicken, fish or other meats, rolled like enchiladas or used for tamales. There is a goat cheese, which is wrapped in the leaf giving it a distinctive peppery taste. In Mexico there is a green sauce mole verde and a green liquor made from this plant. It can also be used to flavour cocoa and chocolate or dried and made into a tea but best picked straight from the bush. It apparently likes moist soil where it receives the morning sun and is protected from the afternoon heat and winds. If you want to plant it, give it plenty of room to spread as it can become portly as well as stately. – Jenny Wildman.

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Belize Introduces Measures To Combat COVID-19 Surge

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, led by its new Minister, Michel Chebat, has announced an initial plan to fight the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently sweeping through Belize. Along with expanded mobile clinics to offer rapid testing in remote villages, there will be a 21-day curfew. One of the priority campaign areas of this […]

Belize culture at Lubaantun

Driving To Toledo

Dances with Mayas at Lubaantun could be a new event on its own rather than  part of the annual Toledo Cacao Fest that runs during the month of May. The festival, food fair and Maya Dance re-enactments are that good. When it’s not raining that is. Driving from the City of Belmopan the traveler can […]

National Geographic Recommends Visiting Belize In 2019

National Geographic has declared Belize to be a Must Go Destination Best Trips 2019, the first time Belize has been placed on the prestigious year end list. For over 130 years National Geographic has been one of the best names to trust when it comes to travel recommendations. It describes Belize as: “One of Central […]

Belize And Covid-19

Like most countries around the world, Belize has reported the presence of COVID-19. Unlike most countries, Belize has the lowest confirmed cases – seven, and only one death. The victim patient #4 that passed on April 5 was Hubert Pipersburgh economic advisor to Belize City Mayor Bernie Wagner. Pipesburgh had asthma as an underlying condition. […]

macaw parrot

Number of Flora and Fauna Species Found in Belize

The number of Belize endemics is small. As a very small country it does not have many habitats that are unique to the area given its location next to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Most native species are found in the Maya Mountains and in the Lowland Savannahs. Birds                                       575-625Amphibians                            36-37Reptiles                                   106-110Snakes                                     59-60Turtles                                     13Mammals                                145-152Butterflies                               1,000Moths                                     […]

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