Made by a three-generation family metalworking business, this cast iron tortilla press is made with care and craftsmanship in mind. Aluminum tortilla presses are common, but sturdy cast iron yields more even pressure and extra weight. Its plates are made through a precise sand-casting and molding technique to ensure they (and your tortillas) are perfectly flat. A lever helps you evenly press the plates together, while the base and handle are reinforced so it will last for generations. Plus, it’s pre-seasoned with flaxseed oil, which is generally regarded as the most durable oil for seasoning cast iron because, when it polymerizes at high temperatures, it forms a structure that’s more durable than other common oils.

This finely ground, masa blue (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet, with a bit more of a robust nuttiness than its white corn counterpart. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.

This finely ground, masa (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.

Named for its place of origin, La Chamba clay cookware from Colombia is crafted completely by hand using centuries-old methods. Made from local river clay, this stunning matte-black comal can be used directly on the stovetop for everything from toasting spices and charring vegetables to frying eggs or warming tortillas. It is perfect for use on the grill when cooking delicate vegetables or fish that benefit from the smoky heat of the grill but could stick or fall apart if cooked directly on the grate. Use the La Chamba comal to char vegetables for our Oaxacan Green Mole with Chicken. Making La Chamba cookware is quite literally a community effort, and every piece passes through the hands of various skilled artisans in one village in Colombia. The three types of clay used in the dishes’ construction make them strong enough to use in the oven, microwave or on your stove—but as with all clay cookware, La Chamba pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Instead, heat your comal over low flame, or put it in the oven before preheating.

Traditional Mexican embroidery adorns this lovely fabric-style tortilla warmer. It's made from 100% cotton, with inner batting to help insulate the tortillas to keep them flexible for filling tacos. We recommend microwaving the warmer itself before use, so your tortillas will keep warm for the duration of your meal.

Achiote paste is an essential part of Mexican cuisine and others throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Made from the ground seeds of the achiote tree (also called annatto), this deep orange paste is used to add color, but also savory flavor to all kinds of dishes, from tamales to grilled meat. This version from El Sabor de Oaxaca is filled with a deep savoriness, redolent of chili-like smokiness and savory spices. It has a noticeable pepperiness and a touch of acid, pureeing beautifully into a sauce and dissolving easily into boiling water to make rice.

This decadent mole takes 5 days and 30 different ingredients to make. And the effort is well worth it. Most pre-made mole pastes and powders we’ve tried in the States have been awful—at best, they are bland and at worst, they are chalky and bitter. Xilli’s Mole Poblano, prepared by hand in small batches using traditional methods, is the polar opposite: It’s smooth and decadent with a pleasant moderate heat. Once it hits the palate, it truly opens up into an extraordinary melody of tastes. The first flavor to pop out is earthy dark-sweet dried chili and chocolate. This gives way to a nuttiness that is almondy and smooth. There is a warming, woodsy spice to it, but it’s not sticking out in a prominent way—just enough to round out the cacao flavor. The sweetness is caramel-like, as though many of the ingredients were carefully roasted, but a subtle brightness keeps it from becoming cloying. Though it takes days to make, this mole is the perfect kitchen shortcut, offering decadent, long-cooked flavor in little time.

The adobo sauce from grocery stores can often taste too tomato-y, often diminishing the flavor and aroma of the chili. In this one, made by hand in small batches, that smoky chipotle flavor rings loud and clear. Five different pepper chili pepper varietals are used here to impart a layered, smoky-sweet taste. It’s not competing with the sauce, but being enhanced by it. It’s earthy, with a BBQ-like sweet smolder and quite spicy, but not too much. We especially love how the peppers themselves are soft and tender, with a braised, nearly spreadable suppleness.

Herbaceous, refreshing and nutty, this classic pipian verde mole from Xilli is made with Mexican herbs and green pepitas. Otherwise known as mole verde, most other versions you’d find come in the form of a paste or powder, with ingredients that aren’t fresh or high-quality. This mole is the real deal, getting its name and nutty flavor from the main ingredient, pumpkin seeds, along with tomatillos and jalepeños that contribute to the earthy green color. The nutty creaminess from the pepitas pairs well with the jalapeños, adding a nice sweetness and aroma without an overpowering heat. The fresh herbs in this mole add a refreshing and acidic sweetness, almost reminiscent of a sour green apple. Add this mole to rice or enchiladas, pour and simmer over the protein of your choice or use as a dipping sauce.

A close relative to salsa macha, and known in Mexico as “Salsa De Semillas,” this salsa seca, or “dry salsa,” from Xilli is a crunchy, texturally interesting blend of fried nuts, seeds and chilies. Nutty and salty upon first taste, you’ll find a noticeable heat on the back end that lingers as well as a sweet smokiness from the chipotle peppers. The fat from the nuts and seeds are a nice cushion against the heat from the chili-infused oil, so as to not overpower your palate. With a unique texture and structured heat, this salsa seca makes a great topping for just about anything, almost like you would a chili crisp. Try it on a runny fried egg or drizzled over roasted vegetables.

These are the pickled jalapeños we’ve always wanted. Spicy and flavorful, with perfect acidity, these aren’t like American-style jalapeños; instead of coins floating in salty pickling juice, they’re rustically julienned and tightly packed with cloves of thinly sliced garlic, onion and herbs (“en escabeche” refers to the pickling method). You can still taste the flavor of the jalapeños themselves, rather than pure spice—they’re sweet, zesty, herby and earthy, delivering a gentle tingle when combined with the vinegar rather than a screaming heat. The peppers are tender and toothsome, and the garlic and onions melt in the mouth.

Considered an indispensable companion to tacos, salsa taquera has a sweet and spicy balance perfect for punching up their flavor. This spoonable one from Xilli has robust flavor and deep earthy red color, flecked with bits of black char from the roasted vegetables for a noticeable smokiness. Chipotles give it an almost chocolatey sweetness and a subtle tang on the finish. Though not overpowering, this salsa does leave a lingering heat that complements any dish it’s served with, from tacos and tortilla chips to chilaquiles.

Rich and nearly black in color, mole negro is a centuries-old Oaxacan sauce that gets its smoky, deep flavor from toasted chilies and nuts and charred vegetables. Other pre-made mole pastes and powders we’ve tried are bland, chalky and bitter, but Xilli’s Mole Negro is the polar opposite. Prepared by hand in small batches, it’s smooth and decadent with a pleasant moderate heat. Upon first taste, you’ll notice deep earthy notes, followed by hints of bittersweet Oaxacan chocolate. The addition of ingredients like tomatillos, ginger, raisins and a variety of nuts also shine through in this mole, adding complexity and depth but not overpowering one another. Though it takes days to make, this mole is the perfect kitchen shortcut, offering decadent, long-cooked flavor in little time. And, since this mole negro is launching exclusively at Milk Street, so you won’t find it anywhere else.

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.