Ever since Spanish colonization, it has been introduced around the world including Europe, Asia, and Africa.
It is used as a culinary herb in Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile and Bolivia, where it is called by the quechua term Huacatay.
Huacatay paste is used to make the popular Peruvian potato dish called ocopa.
The taste and odor of fresh Tagetes minuta is like a mixture of sweet basil, tarragon, mint, and citrus.