In kitchens across Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California there is often a yellow box next to the stove. Inside: tea bags of torote prieto, a household tradition that has crossed the border along with the families who drink it.
The tree
Torote prieto is the common name of Bursera laxiflora, a small aromatic tree of the Sonoran Desert. It belongs to the same botanical family as frankincense and myrrh, and its reddish bark has a warm, resinous scent.
The recipe
The Doña Mena artisan recipe blends torote prieto with propolis and five more herbs: eucalyptus, borage, brazilwood, mullein and elder. The result is a smooth, woody infusion with a hint of mint from the eucalyptus.
How to brew it
- Hot: one tea bag per cup, boiling water, three to four minutes. Honey is the classic companion.
- Iced: two tea bags per cup, steep, then pour over crushed ice with lemon and a little sugar.
A tea, not a medicine
In Mexico, grandmothers reach for torote prieto in the cold months. We love the tradition, and we are also clear about what it is: a herbal tea to enjoy. The box itself says so — este producto no es un medicamento. It should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it is not for children under two.
Where to find it in the United States
You can order Torote Prieto Herbal Tea, 25 bags online, together with other Mexican favorites such as Ungüento de la Tía and shampoo de bergamota.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.