Tampico spice company was established in 1947 by a man named Jesus Martinez. Jesus Martinez was born in California before the stock market crash of 1929. During his upbringing Mr. Martinez was raised in poverty, however he continued to keep his faith in life that things one day will turn around for the best for him and his family. Mr. Martinez bought his first set of spices with what little money he could scrape up. He would go door to door selling his home packed spices in his neighborhood and surrounding markets. His little profit soon became double that, and soon after the beginning of his empire began. As time passed he increased his spices by a number of known and un-known mixtures that soon after became very popular. He later introduced herbs that helped with many home remedies to help alleviate certain body discomforts.

For example one of his herbs that his Tampico brand produces is “Cilantro seeds”.
The first time I seen this herb was when my wife went out and purchased a pack of it. I asked her what it’s for and she said that its to help relax the irritability of a colic prone infant. I watched her boil one tablespoon of the seeds and when it cools to the infants liking give it to him in a form of a tea. She gave it to my son. I was really thinking oh my god this is not going to work. Too much of my surprise my son within a few minutes was relaxed and was burping up a storm, that night my son had a good night’s sleep. I was leary about her giving my son the tea. She told me that her mother gave it to her and that her grandmother her father’s mother would give it to her father.

The same method was used for the Chamomille flower. It’s also boiled and give as a tea. The Chamomille flower is known to help with all stomach discomfort. Discomforts include gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation or if you just feel any indigestion. One small cup and it will make you feel better. My wife says that when she was a young child she was always taught that certain herbs and spices were better than any medication or over the counter products. My father in law whom is 70 years old also was raised that herbs and spices will help cure body discomforts or some minor illnesses. He has mentioned that when he was brought up in poverty in Mexico many of his family fell ill to disease. And that his grandmother would boil up a mixture of herbs and believed that it was helping the ill. However the lack of knowledge of certain herbs mixed with certain antibiotics also lead to greater illnesses and sometimes even death.

Tampico has so many ingredients and most are used for mostly all the Mexican dishes that are in my household amongst some restaurants as well as for a diverse amount of recipes. I also have to admit that there are some ingredients and spices that I have not heard of or now what they are used for. Such as “Panocha”, it’s really a vulgar slang word in Spanish. But it’s actual use for this is for a candied bread. It looks like a dark brown cone and its melted down with cinnamon sticks, clove, onion, tomatoes and garlic. The bread is usually a French type bread and toasted in the oven. After its dipped in this candy and after sprinkled with cheese, raisins and peanuts. This is called “Capitorada” and its usually served during Passover only. I also was not familiar with the use of the powdered shrimp. I was told that this ingredient is used also during Passover and its used to make a sort of pancake.

Mostly all of the super markets in my area those being Hispanic and American grocers carry many Tampico herbs, spices, specialty ingredients , specialty food accessories and some snacks. To me Tampico is a very successful operator because its products are used on an everyday basis. Its familiar with all types of ethnicities and well known in communities. Today Tampico is recognized with in the United States and Mexico as well. It continues to grow and continues to be one of the biggest spice company in Los Angeles.