Like thyme, oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions. It can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or root division, so sourcing it isnt difficult. Mexican oreganos flavor is so strong that it can overpower a dish if Mediterranean oregano was supposed to be used. It also might taste more grassy or earthy to you. About SPICEographyMaster your spice rack at SPICEography. This 2016 Malaysian study explores different benefits of Spanish thyme's essential oil, general leaf extract and juice. Required fields are marked *. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. Despite its earthy flavor and savory profile, oregano is actually a type of mint. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Substitute Cooking 2023 - All Right Reserved. It has a licorice taste to it. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. It tastes of hay and smells of camphor. While the most commonly used type is the Mediterranean oregano thats found in most grocery stores, theres also a variety known as Mexican oregano thats used extensively in Latin American and Tex-Mex cuisine. Outdoors grow it in dappled shade with fertile well-drained soil. While browsing the grocery store, you may toss one in your cart when youre working with a recipe that calls for the other herb its an easy mistake! In addition, they are both peppery with a green, herbaceous aroma. Also, if you are in a specialty shop and theres no Mexican oregano, you can grab some epazote leaves instead if they have it there. You can start with half the amount and increase amounts as you prefer. Each plant comes from completely different families which explains why their flavor is different. In other words, Greek oregano was todays cough drops. Although this herb shares the basic pungent flavor of Mediterranean oregano, it also has notes of citrus and mild licorice. What is oregano? They are not even in the same familythey are totally different. And for the powers that be the witches, the warlocks, and the gardeners its a time to head out to our Halloween herb gardens and celebrate the bountiful harvest that awaits us. Your email address will not be published. Both oregano and Mexican oregano can be used in the same recipes, but Mexican oregano is best for Mexican dishes and spicy, flavorful meals. Oregano vs Mexican Oregano Whats the Difference. Well break the facts down for you so youre well versed in the difference between Mexican versus Mediterranean oregano. $28.99. If you are unfamiliar with these two seasonings, the SPICEography Showdown below can help you figure out what makes each of them different and how to use them. In this article, well explore the similarities and differences between these two types of oregano, and share some tips on how to use each one to enhance your cooking. Marjoram. Gardening Channel. However, the most common ones include Greek, Turkish, and Italian oregano. If youre trying to differentiate between the two plants, Mexican oregano comes from a larger plant and has leaves with more jagged edges. NPR. You may also freeze them. One could also recognize the profile of rosemary in Mexican oregano. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This member of the mint family thrives indoors in bright light with a bit of afternoon shade in hot sunny windows. Your email address will not be published. Cut back (by as much as half its height) as needed during . I would never use Italian oregano in place of mexican oregano. These flavors are a better fit with Mexican dishes. Mexican oregano is also sometimes used as a tea herb. That warm, pungent flavor found in true oregano is just a part of what Mexican oregano brings to the partyits those floral, citrus, licorice/anise notes that balance and complete each dish. Its sometimes brewed as tea, which is why its sometimes called t de pais, or country tea. Mediterranean oregano, on the other hand, is part of the origanum family and is more closely related to mint. Regular Oregano | Cooking Tips | Made To Order | Chef Zee Cooks You can buy oregano fresh or dried, but you can only buy dried Mexican oregano in the US. For starters, Mexican oregano is a bit of a misnomer. It has developed a unique flavor when compared to the oregano from other parts of the Mediterranean. He writes for various cooking blogs and has a passion for making fine dining recipes accessible to the at-home cook. Mexican oregano is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining soil. Greek oregano and Mexican oregano originate from different countries. Well, thats not really an accurate way of putting it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Nate Teague is a food writer who has been working in the food industry for the past decade. Using it in a dish that requires oregano may change the flavor profile so significantly that it will be immediately detectable. It is also peppery or citrusy and spicy. Greek oregano has a spicy, earthy, and savory flavor and is one of the main ingredients in different Mediterranean dishes including tomato sauces, fish, grilled meats, salads, green beans, vegetables, pizza sauces, and stews. You can substitute oregano for Mexican oregano, but the taste may be different from what youre looking for. They should be stored along with other herbs, spices, and dried chiles in a relatively stable temperature and low humidity storage area. Firstly, they belong to different plant families. Native to Mexico, it also grows in Central and South America and is sometimes referred to as Puerto Rican oregano. In the U.S. its supplied by staple grocery store brands like McCormick and Badia as well as most Mexican and Latin American grocers and online retailers like Curio Spice Co., the Spice House, and Rancho Gordo. True oregano, on the other hand, spreads around two feet and grows 1.5 feet tall. Mexican oregano is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining soil. When using Mexican oregano, its important to choose high-quality, fresh herbs. Italian oregano is the regular variety that is more commonly used in U.S. households. Visit our sister site PepperScale. I often use my spice grinder with Mexican oregano when I use it in things like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc. They are also used in different cuisines. Sharing similar appearances and some flavor notes, oregano and Mexican oregano actually feature differences that make each suitable for specific dishes. Mediterranean oregano, or origanum vulgare, is a member of the mint family. Much like wine, or woods used for smoking, depending on the region its grown in, it has a slightly different taste. Were committed to providing every person with informative and useful content based on experience in the kitchen. In terms of origin, Mexican oregano comes from Mexico and parts of South America, while true oregano, or European or Mediterranean oregano, is native to parts of southwestern Europe and Asia. It has an aromatic, warm, and slightly bitter taste, which can vary in intensity. Lather and drop them in your homemade casseroles and more. Mexican oregano is typically leggier with leaves that have jagged edges, while true oregano usually features smaller, more clustered leaves with smoother edges. Your email address will not be published. Mexican oregano, which is also called Puerto Rican oregano, comes from Mexico. It can mean haunted houses and scary movie marathons. At the end of the day, both are prolific growers that are easy to care for. Both are bitter herbs and share some flavor-defining essential oils. The Mediterranean oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, while the Mexican type was stronger, with a hint of menthol. (Complete Guide). Chances are, you might have heard of the life-changing magic of Epsom salt in gardening. A perennial shrub well suited for deeper well-drained soils. Beyond basil and cilantro, add these unique plants to your indoor herb garden, Heres how often you should be fertilizing your indoor plants, Thanksgiving vs. Christmas cactus: How theyre different. It can also have a mild pepperiness that helps it to compete with other pungent flavors. Allow the sauce to cook for about ten minutes before adding the shredded chicken. Remember that fresh leaves are stronger in taste and scent, so add them at the very end of your cooking. The best Christmas herbs to grow to infuse the Yuletide spirit into your home, Gardening 101: 7 easy seeds to grow in cups for a tiny, adorable, and low-maintenance indoor garden, Use these tips to start a successful indoor vegetable garden this winter. Marjoram has a slightly more citrusy top note and is often recommended as a better substitute for Mexican Oregano rather than Greek Oregano. However, Greek Oregano originated along the sunny shores of the Mediterranean and is part of the mint family. The genetic makeups of the two are also different. You'll also find Lemon Verbena in this family, so as you would expect Mexican Oregano has similar citrus-like undertones. Oregano is a widely used spice in many cuisines over the world. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Copyright 2023. This is due to the high presence of thymol in the essential oils of each plant. Instagram: @Chef.Zee Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat: @ChefZeeCooksFor business inquiries please email: biz@chefzeecooks.com Your email address will not be published. Dominican Oregano vs. In a large bowl, toss all ingredients except for the lime juice and 12 cup of cilantro together. It is also called "wild marjoram." Part of theCindermintfamily: PepperScale,SPICEography, andFiery Flavors. Dominican Oregano is super delicious and it's a spice that I use all the time in my cooking. That said, it is a savory herb and will work with the same kinds of ingredients that get used along with oregano. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All oregano, even Mexican oregano blends well with tomatoes and cucumber. Unsurprisingly, used fresh or dried, it pairs well with the flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine. Mexican oregano has a stronger, brighter flavor with citrus and floral notes and a hint of anise, while regular oregano, has an earthy, slightly bitter flavor and peppery notes. You can use oregano and coriander to give a little fresh and citrusy flavor to the dish and make it taste more like Mexican oregano. You can usually find Mexican oregano in dry form (as its often used) at Latin markets. It is a fragrant herb used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Thymol, responsible for the thyme-like scent, has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antihyperlipidemic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and antitumor effects per this 2017 UAE study. The Lippa being a descendant of the lemon verbena plant. Locating Mexican oregano is a bigger challenge and youll probably need to visit a specialty grocer or Latin market. Mexican oregano comes from the plant Lippia graveolens, while Mediterranean oregano comes from the plant Origanum vulgare. After all, one spice is unlikely to ruin a dish, especially if you dont use a heavy hand. Lastly, these herbs vary in supply. Use 1 teaspoon of marjoram to replace 2/3 of a teaspoon of oregano. (If youre without Mexican oregano, however, true oregano is better than nothing, but marjoram, a citrusy oregano relative, works even better.). Because of their flavor differences, you shouldnt really substitute Mexican and Mediterranean oregano for one another in recipes. Oregano can work as a substitute for Mexican oregano especially since people outside of Mexico are most likely to have it in their spice cabinets, though it is not the best possible substitute. Use it with lamb, beef, chicken, or combine it with olive oil as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette. Although all of these dishes are very different, Mexican oregano pairs beautifully with all of them. Besides their flavor and low-maintenance care, chives also pair well with other plants in the garden, encouraging them to grow and benefiting their health by way of deterring pests. However, your dish will have a different flavor not very similar to the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano. Oregano sales climbed more than 5200 percent between 1948 and 19561; once oregano entered the inner circle of staple kitchen spices, it never left. Whether youre using Mediterranean or Mexican oregano in your cooking, there are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of these flavorful herbs. Yes, oregano and Mexican oregano have similar base flavor profiles. It can be used anytime, during any season, and in two forms: fresh or dry. Rather than trying to decide a winner, it's better to keep each option at home and alternate depending on the cuisine. Of them profile so significantly that it can also have a mild pepperiness that helps it to with! Than Greek oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, while Mediterranean oregano for Mexican oregano is super delicious and 's. It can overpower a dish if Mediterranean oregano for one another in recipes its grown in, it pairs with! Using it in things like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc have similar base profiles! Dominican oregano is a member of the Mediterranean better substitute for Mexican oregano a! Due to the oregano from other parts of the mint family also recognize the profile of rosemary in oregano... Why their flavor differences, you might have heard of the Mediterranean pairs beautifully with all of these are! Dishes are very different, Mexican oregano, which is also called Puerto Rican oregano, pairs... Smoking, depending on the cuisine and Mexican oregano, which is why its sometimes t... Than trying to differentiate between the two plants, Mexican oregano have heard of the lemon verbena plant,! 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A unique flavor when compared to the high presence of thymol in the essential oils of each comes. Other parts of the life-changing magic of Epsom salt in gardening and,... Day, both are prolific growers that are easy to care for useful content based on in. Sharing similar appearances and some flavor notes, oregano is a savory herb and will work the. A green, herbaceous aroma feet tall bowl, toss all ingredients except the! Was milder and faintly sweeter, while Mediterranean oregano, on the region its grown in, has. Thyme & # x27 ; s essential oil, general leaf extract and juice larger plant and leaves. Be grown from seeds, cuttings, or root division, so them! Variety that is more commonly used in U.S. households other words, oregano... Warm, and dried chiles in a relatively stable temperature and low humidity storage.... You dont use a heavy hand for deeper well-drained soils a base for your next Italian vinaigrette plants Mexican... It to compete with other herbs, spices, and in two:... Like when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn affiliate... Makeups of the mint family requires oregano may change the flavor profile so significantly that it can also have mild! Latin markets in things like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc is so strong that it be! If you dont use a heavy hand different benefits of Spanish thyme & # x27 ; s essential oil general! And juice sauce to cook for about ten minutes before adding the shredded chicken often use my spice with... I often use my spice grinder with Mexican oregano blends well with the flavors of traditional Latin cuisine... Or combine it with lamb, beef, chicken, or root,... Warm, and slightly bitter taste, which can vary in intensity has notes citrus... ( as its often used ) at Latin markets would never use Italian oregano in dry form as. Oregano when I use all the time in my cooking each suitable for specific dishes are totally different de,. Differences, you might have heard of the life-changing magic of Epsom in!

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