A hardwood that comes from a Mesquite tree that is cut into chips and used in smoking processes to add flavor to meats. Mesquite trees grow in dry soils most notably in arid regions. When foods are roasted with a fire that includes mesquite chips, the food acquires a slightly sweet earthy and smoky flavor. Mesquite flavors have been developed that duplicate the taste of foods smoked with mesquite chips, allowing a variety of various sauces, meats, and other foods flavored with mesquite to provide a sweet smoky taste.