A member of the marigold family, but growing 6 feet tall, Black Mint/Huacatay ( pronounced "wah-ka-tay" ) is an internationally beloved herb for flavoring sauces, teas, risotto, potatoes, chicken and fish. It is a key ingredient in the ethereal Peruvian aji verde sauce.
A French heirloom plant, it is also the source of the essential oil marketed as "marigold oil". It can best be described as a flavor combination of basil, mint and citrus and tastes like nothing else. The leaves are used fresh, dried, in paste form or frozen.
Hang bundles of the dried stems to repel insects from your house and porch. As a bonus, the roots will kill some perennial weeds. The delicious but somewhat mysterious green sauce that is often served with pollo a la brasa - Peruvian roast chicken is typically made with huacatay (and aji amarillo chile peppers).
Peruvians use this herb to make a green sauce called Black Mint Paste, which is an essential ingredient in the Potato, Aji Amarillo, Peanut, Cheese, and Egg dish called Ocopa.
A very easy to grow annual plant.