Fresh mulberry

Fresh meremora is a highly valued ingredient in the traditional cuisine of several Latin American regions, especially in countries with strong Indigenous and Caribbean influences. It is an aquatic plant, also known as water spinach or hierba mora, which is primarily used for its fresh, tender green leaves.

Native to tropical and subtropical zones, fresh meremora grows in humid environments, such as riverbanks, lagoons, and waterlogged land. It is a plant linked to peasant and popular cooking, where its leaves are used to prepare stews, soups, salads, and tortillas, providing a mild, slightly earthy flavor similar to that of traditional spinach.

From a nutritional standpoint, fresh meremora is rich in vitamins A, C, and B complex, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. Its consumption contributes to a balanced diet, promoting visual health, the immune system, and the formation of red blood cells. Furthermore, its low caloric content makes it an ideal food for healthy recipes.

Depending on the country, fresh meremora goes by different names that can serve as synonyms in the Hispanic American culinary context: hierba mora (Mexico, Central America), water spinach (Colombia, Venezuela), water chard, or simply meremora. In your recipes, you can substitute it with other fresh leafy greens if you cannot find it easily, although its particular flavor will provide an unmistakable native touch.