See spice differently as José Jiménez travels Latin America

Across eight countries, travel photographer José Jiménez meets farmers, traders and cooks, learning about key herbs and spices, plus local history and culture.

Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

--- Stream episodes of The Spice Trails: Latin America at SBS On Demand now. ---

 

From his gentle and genuine interest in everyone he meets to his grace under (chilli) fire, it's hard to imagine a better armchair travel guide to the people and spice of Latin America than José Jiménez. 

In The Spice Trails: Latin America, Jiménez journeys through 12 regions and eight countries, starting in Tijuana in Baja California and ending in La Pampa in Argentina. In each region, he learns about three key spices or herbs from that area - how they are grown, treated or harvested, how they are used in cooking and their position in the local culture. 

If you've ever wondered, as you reached for a cinnamon stick, what cinnamon looks like when it's growing, this show will show you. If you've not heard of hoja santa, chipilin or huacatay, here's a chance to find out more, from local farmers and cooks. 

Alongside the knowledge shared by those he meets, what really makes this show wonderful is Jiménez. He introduces himself simply as a “world explorer and travelling photographer" and that's true - but in fact, he's a very accomplished travel photographer and documentary producer, and a Nikon Mexico ambassador. His curiosity about the world saw him undertake 'La Vuelta' - a 48,688 kilometre, 140-day journey around the world - the longest automobile photographic odyssey in history; he has also published five books. (You can see some of his beautiful images on his Instagram account).

Disocvering more about oregano in Argentina. Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

”My passion for exploration has led me to connect with photography in a very interesting manner. I have been able to meet new people, learn about new cultures, and experience life in a way that takes me back to basics, reminding me of what is important in life," he says of his decades-long passion for learning and connecting. 

While we do get to see some of the lovely images he captures, this series is not about photography, and the camera Jiménez totes with him never feel intrusive. But the curiosity and openmindedness that have surely contributed to his career success make him a wonderful guide for a journey like this.

He's also impressively calm when dealing with the increasing heat of a fiery salsa taco, when he meets salsa specialist Sabina in the first episode and she cooks with some of her favourite chillies.

Sabina and José eating salsa tacos Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

“I don’t feel any spiciness but it’s starting to sting a little bit … right not, the hot spicy effect is starting to show up…ah, now it has really started to sting, I can feel it in my whole mouth, and now my taste buds are in a state of emergency." 

He also declares it "the best salsa taco I’ve ever had".  The rest of the series is similarly appreciative and appealing.

The Spice Trails: Latin America is a lovely combination of tasting, eating, learning - and great views. From Teotihuacan, where a dawn balloon ride carries him over the epazote fields below, to a visit to historic caves in Oaxaca before he learns about the use of corn ashes, or standing in the middle of a startlingly white salt plain, this is a beautiful journey. 

While you could dive into any episode to learn more about that particular region and its key spices and herbs, there's a lovely flow to starting with Jiménez in Baja California and following him on his journey south. 

Here's a quick guide to what he explores in each episode (and if you're inspired to cook with the flavours he discovers, we can help you with that, too).

 

---

Episode One: Mexico – Baja California

Disocvering salt in Baja California Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

To commence his journey, Jose explores Northwest Mexico, visiting the scenic regions of Tijuana, the tranquil salt flats of El Salar de San Filipe and the vibrant city of Ensenada, to learn about the history behind the usage of salt, California chilli and mesquite smoke.

Episode Two: Mexico – Highlands

José''s view from above during his time in Mexico. Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

Jose’s Mexican sojourn continues, starting in Teotihuacan, where a balloon ride takes him over epazote fields. He visits the lush Altiplano, Mexico City and the state of Puebla, in search of the three most prominent spices of the region: epazote, cinnamon and ancho chilli.

Episode Three: Mexico South - Oaxaca

Carina Santiago talks to José Jiménez about holy herb, found in many Mexixan backyards. Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

Venturing into the land of mole, the first leg of Jose’s journey concludes as he visits Oaxaca, a city in Southwest Mexico. With its unique culture and tradition, Oaxaca offers a distinct culinary experience to Jose, as he learns about coastal red chilli, corn ashes and hoja santa, also known as the holy herb or Mexican pepperleaf.

 

Episode Four: Guatemala

In the fourth episode of The Spice Trails: Latin America, Jose visits the beating heart of the Mayan world, Guatemala. While Guatemala City and Antigua provide him with a glimpse into Guatemalan culture, a stroll near the serene Lake Atitlan offers unrivalled beauty. A familiar spice, cardamom, reveals its secrets, while indigenous spices like chipilin and cacao provide a look at Guatemalan history.

Episode Five: Panama

Just one of the many views we share as he journeys through Panama Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

Jose crosses the continent and lands in the narrow, yet the historically significant country of Panama. Through expert opinions, Jose learns about the vast history of the Panama Canal, the spice route, and the three unique spices of the region: chombo bell pepper (a chilli also known as aji chombo), Panamanian coriander and turmeric.

Episode Six: Colombia – Caribbean

The diverse and multi-ethnic Caribbean Colombia welcomes Jose with open arms. He visits the culturally rich cities Barranquilla and Cartagena and learns about their culinary practices via the usage of three characteristic spices and herbs: allspice, bleo and aji dulce.

 

Episode Seven: Colombia – Coffee Belt

Travelling in Colombia Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

The Colombian part of  José's journey culminates in the coffee belt. Here, he discovers how Poleo herb (a mint-like herb), coffee and pipilongo (long pepper) bind the gastronomic world, by bringing the old and the new together.

 

Episode Eight: Ecuador

A meal in Ecaudor Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

Jose’s travel across Latin America takes him to Ecuador, the centre of the world. From meeting respected food critics to traversing the vast depths of the Amazon, Jose learns about spices including cumin, achiote, and aji Jaipia, and their usages in the distinctly flavoursome cuisine of Ecuador.

Episode Nine: Peru (Lima)

Learning about local culture in Peru Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

Jose arrives in Peru’s capital, Lima, one of the gastronomic capitals of the world. His curiosity takes him to several coastal towns, as he finds out the secret behind one of the most sought-after cuisines in the world, which is elevated by the use of spices like ginger, coriander and aji Amarillo – a distinct yellow-red pepper.

Episode Ten: Peruvian Highlands (Cusco)

Taking in the historic view in Peru. Source: The Spice Trails: Latin America

Jose’s journey across Peru continues as he visits the center of the Inca world. His sojourn across the Sacred Valley region is fruitful, as he learns how spices like huacatay, aji rocoto and cocoa leaf impart their distinct flavour and texture to Peruvian cuisine.

Episode Eleven: Chile

Almost at the end of his adventure, Jose travels to Chile. His journey begins from the city of Santiago in the North, and ends among the lush and sacred forests of Aruacania, as he learns about basil, pinon Aruacano and aji cacho de cabre (goat's horn chilli, also known as merken), the spices that form the bedrock of flavour in Chilean cuisine.

Episode Twelve: Argentina

Jose concludes his journey across the majestic expanse of Latin America by visiting Argentina. The great Argentinian culinary tradition of roasts, seasonings, and spices is on full display as Jose travels to Buenos Aires and the Argentinian Pampas. Jose learns about the distinct ways in which paprika, black pepper and oregano are used in Argentinian cuisine. Finally, Jose fondly looks back upon his journey and remembers the people he met, the places he visited, and above all, the spices he learned about.

Ready to dive in? Start with episode one: