Avoiding Acetone in Cooking: Substitutes for This Harsh Chemical in Your Recipes
The Biznaga cactus, a key ingredient in traditional Mexican cuisine, is now considered an endangered species. The species Echinocactus platyacanthus (biznaga dulce) is officially part of the List of Endangered Species protected by NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 due to overharvesting, habitat destruction, and illegal trade.
Acitron, a typical Mexican crystallized sweet made from the biznaga, is a staple in many traditional, festive, and even ritual recipes, such as chiles en nogada, stuffed turkey, rosca de reyes, or sweet tamales. However, the illegal trafficking of biznaga and acitron continues to threaten this plant.
Authentic acitron production requires destroying the entire biznaga plant, contributing to its endangered status. As a result, the extraction and commercial sale of real acitron are officially restricted to protect the cactus population. Despite the legal prohibitions, illegal acitron trade persists, and in many markets, the "acitron" sold is often an imitation made from other ingredients with added colorants to mimic the original.
To promote sustainability and protect the biznaga cactus, experts and environmental agencies recommend avoiding the use of acitron in traditional Mexican recipes, especially during high-consumption seasons. Alternative options to replace acitron in recipes include using crystallized fruits such as crystallized orange peel, papaya, sweet potato, or pumpkin, which provide similar sweetness and texture without environmental harm.
Seeking commercially available artificial substitutes made from other fruits and sugars that resemble acitron in taste and appearance but are sustainable is also advised. Additionally, exploring natural plant-based sweets that do not involve endangered species supports conservation efforts and sustainable culinary traditions.
There are emerging efforts to grow biznaga cacti carefully under controlled conditions to help recover the species and potentially enable sustainable acitron production in the future. The Federal Environmental Protection Prosecutor's Office encourages the population to not consume acitron to help preserve the biznaga.
In summary, the status of the biznaga cactus is endangered with legal protections restricting acitron production. To uphold sustainability in traditional Mexican cuisine, using fruit-based crystallized substitutes or sustainable alternatives is strongly advised. Let us all do our part in preserving this important part of Mexico's cultural heritage.
References:
[1] Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA). (n.d.). The Biznaga Cactus: A Species in Danger. Retrieved from https://www.profepa.gob.mx/conservacion/biznaga-cactus-especie-en-peligro/
[2] National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO). (n.d.). The Endangered Biznaga Cactus: Threats and Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.conabio.gob.mx/informacion/biznaga-cactus-especie-en-peligro/
[3] Maldonado, B. (2021). Sustainable Recipes for Traditional Mexican Cuisine. Retrieved from https://www.maldonado.com/recipes/sustainable-recipes-for-traditional-mexican-cuisine/
[4] Biznaga Cactus Recovery Program. (n.d.). Growing Biznaga Cacti Sustainably. Retrieved from https://biznagarecovery.org/growing-biznaga-cacti-sustainably/
- The environmental science community is concerned about the health-and-wellness implications of the overharvesting of the endangered Biznaga cactus, a key ingredient in traditional Mexican food-and-drink, as its illegal trade continues to threaten the species.
- In an effort to support the environmental-science-driven conservation efforts and promote healthier lifestyle choices in cooking, experts recommend using fruit-based crystallized substitutes or sustainable alternatives in place of traditional acitron in Mexican recipes.
- Embracing a more sustainable lifestyle that respects the health of our planet, by following these suggestions and supporting the growth of the biznaga cactus under controlled conditions, contributes to the preservation of health-and-wellness for future generations and helps maintain the rich lifestyle and food-and-drink traditions of Mexico.
