Milk Street is the only vendor in the U.S. that carries this herby green mole crafted in Oaxaca, Mexico. Bright, nutty and herbaceous, this mole verde packs a pale green hue and a wallop of vegetal flavor. While its starting texture is drier and crumblier than some of the other moles from El Sabor de Oaxaca, the mole cooks up velvety smooth and thick. The flavor is deeply complex (it would take hours to achieve if making it from scratch at home). And while many moles we sampled were too sugary, this one is perfectly balanced and can be sweetened to taste. Our favorite way to use is for braising; thin the mole with stock or water then braise chicken legs, pork shoulder or other protein (and reduce any remaining braising liquid into a thicker finishing sauce). Or, simply dilute with water or broth for a quick sauce for enchiladas or drizzling on nachos with some crema, cotija and crunchy sliced radish. A little goes a long way—the jar contains several servings.

Milk Street is the only vendor in the U.S. that carries this decadent mole crafted in Oaxaca, Mexico. The black paste yields a velvet-smooth sauce when diluted with water or stock that leads with aromatic sweet chili notes from four different chili varietals. The taste then transitions into layers of nutty richness from peanuts, walnuts and almonds. A touch of bitterness and moderate hit of heat rounds out the complex range of flavors. While many moles we sampled were too sugary, this one is perfectly balanced and can be sweetened to taste.

Mole pastes aren’t difficult to find, but most of the ones we’ve tried are either intensely bitter (and not able to be balanced with addition of sugar) or tooth-achingly sweet (which doesn’t allow for any adjustment for personal preference). And Milk Street is the only vendor in the U.S. that carries this decadent mole crafted in Oaxaca, Mexico. Lusciously smooth, this mole is nutty and spicy-sweet. The dried chiles follow quickly after with a deep, dark fruity flavor. There’s a really strong sweetness, from plenty of fruits and nuts, but it’s also incredibly savory, so it’s not going to read as candy-like as some brands we’ve tried. It’s lovely as-is, but still room for a bit of sugar or salt to taste. The extra tomato brings a welcome umami base compared to other types of mole. Simply dilute with water or broth for a smooth sauce.