A most excellent feature of dried or ground oregano, whether common or Mexican oregano, is that they keep for a long time. It works as a seasoning in many dishes like salsas, beans, tacos, soups, burritos, enchilada sauce, and braised pork. Locating Mexican oregano is a bigger challenge and youll probably need to visit a specialty grocer or Latin market. Its strong flavoring is a perfect pairing for Mexican bean recipes (like Charro beans and Borracho beans ), sauces . Mexican oregano, on the other hand, is brighter with floral and citrus notes and a hint of anise, flavors that are characteristic of most herbs in the verbena family. Remove from the oven, remove garlic from the skin, add all ingredients, plus the lime juice and. Once the war ended and the soldiers came home, they wanted things flavored with their new favorite herb. Put some in your pasta sauces along with paprika and pepper. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. Photo courtesy of The. Oregano appreciates regular trimming to branch out, so you can cut and use it throughout the growing season. If your recipe calls for Mexican oregano specifically, try not to substitute another variety. It has a strong citrus flavor with a hint of licorice. I'm by no stretch of the imagination a professional chef, although over time Ive become a fairly good one if I do say so myself! Of all the Mediterranean oregano varieties, Italian is the mildest and is delicious added to pasta sauce, pizzas, or used as part of a meat rub seasoning. Oregano itself was originally Greek before different types of the herb began to grow. 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. What does NPK mean when it comes to fertilizing plants? Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is considered to be the strongest-flavored variety. 04-13 Mar. Although there hasn't been too much research about its benefits, many experienced gardeners swear by Epsom salt for plants. You can store whats left of your fresh oregano leaves in the refrigerator. Hopefully, in this blog, we can fill in the gaps a little for you. Sorry but that is the only way I know to describe it. To get the most out of your Mexican oregano, look for herbs that are fresh and fragrant, and store them in an airtight container away from heat and light. 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. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. If you want to cook some Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano. Cooks love oregano for how it can instantly lift a dish. Some parts of Mexico use Mexican oregano in salsa. However, you're better to replace Mexican oregano with marjoram while Italian oregano could be replaced with marjoram, basil, or thyme. You may also freeze them. Mexican oregano has licorice and citrusy undertones, while Italian oregano has sweet and minty undertones. Can you substitute oregano for Mexican oregano? Mexican oregano is harvested from the Lippa graveolens plant and gets its citrus notes from the plant as well. Mexican oregano is often used to add flavor and complexity to dishes like chili, salsa, and mole, while Mediterranean oregano is more commonly used to flavor tomato-based sauces, meats, and vegetables. In a large bowl, toss all ingredients except for the lime juice and 12 cup of cilantro together. Oregano is a culinary herb, used for the flavor of its leaves, which can be more flavorful when dried than fresh. In Stock. It can mean haunted houses and scary movie marathons. Those secondary flavor notes can vary depending on the variety and region where its grownTurkish, Greek, and Italian oregano, all subspecies of true oregano, are each a little different. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. Mexican oregano is also sometimes used as a tea herb. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic bag. As promised, here are some links on where you can find Dominican Oregano online. Mexican oregano is more grassy, earthy, and pungent. Like thyme, oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions. Dominican Oregano vs. Surprisingly, plenty of people dont know that theres a difference; which is why I posted the blog. Theres plenty of stories floating around about this but the truth is no one really knows for sure. Required fields are marked *. True oregano is slightly sweet with bitter and peppery notes, likely stemming from its roots (pun unapologetically intended) in the mint family. If you order today, this is the estimated delivery . Dried oregano has an even stronger taste than fresh oregano, and is a common ingredient found in many pantries. In fact, if you crush dried oregano even further you will find that it releases even more flavor. It is a hardy, flowering plant that is drought resistant making it perfect for growing in the drier terrain. Its also found in pasta sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine. Marjoram will also work as a substitute for Mediterranean oregano, or you can use thyme, basil, or sage. Dominican Oregano is super delicious and it's a spice that I use all the time in my cooking. Mediterranean oregano is made from a combination of Spanish thyme and the herb oregano Vulgare, also known as wild marjoram. Youll find Mediterranean oregano used in dishes like pizza or pasta, while Mexican oregano works better in chili or adobo. Lather and drop them in your homemade casseroles and more. Oregano sales climbed more than 5200 percent between 1948 and 19561; once oregano entered the inner circle of staple kitchen spices, it never left. Hello, I am Saurabh and I love cooking. The Mediterranean oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, while the Mexican type was stronger, with a hint of menthol. Greek oreganos are made from wild plants, while Mexican oreganos are made from domesticated plants. Its flavor makes a big difference in tacos, burritos, and meaty dishes. Mexican oregano comes from the plant Lippia graveolens, while Mediterranean oregano comes from the plant Origanum vulgare. It is interesting to note that while these two do not belong to the same family, Mexican oregano contains high essential oils that are found in common oregano. It pairs well with other spicy and earthy flavors, and can help to create a complex and nuanced blend of spices that will take your dishes to the next level. Mexican oregano and true oregano in dishes. Mexican oregano is a bit chunkier than Mediterranean oregano, which comes in a finer form. They will retain their properties if you store them properly in airtight containers and in a dark, dry place. I started this blog to help you find the right ingredients for your recipes and help you become a better cook. It pairs well with other spicy and earthy flavors, and can help to create a complex and nuanced blend of spices that will take your dishes to the. It tastes of hay and smells of camphor. Well, thats not really an accurate way of putting it. If youre wondering what makes them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead. Pair Mexican Oregano with chiles, beans, and ground meats. Oregano is minty and slightly bitter and sweet, with a scent of camphor. In stock. Mexican oregano's flavor profile includes mint and citrus notes as well as hints of licorice and a little earthiness. I would never use Italian oregano in place of mexican oregano. Some may even have a slight cooling effect, though not nearly as potent as actual mint. Pisqueya Adobo Multi-Purpose Seasoning, made with Dominican oregano. Grow these herbs for Halloween to make your celebration even spookier, Spook up your Halloween with these easy-to-grow herbs, Is Epsom salt good for houseplants? All Rights Reserved. So grab a jar when you see one! You can start with half the amount and increase amounts as you prefer. You will commonly find it added to pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza. It is fall-apart tender and peppery; citrusy Mexican Oregano punches up its flavor. Ad Choices. 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. 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. Youll find it to have a mild licorice taste in addition to a vague citrus flavor. Oreganos robust flavor profile allows it to work like bay leaves and stand up to extensive braising. Your email address will not be published. The two smell very similar, especially in dried form. 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. So the next time youre cooking with oregano, consider experimenting with both types to discover all the amazing ways these herbs can enhance your cooking and take your dishes to the next level. Lastly, these herbs vary in supply. 2 Cuban Oregano. Use it with lamb, beef, chicken, or combine it with olive oil as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette. Cilantro. Mexican Oregano: part of the verbena family, along with lemon verbena. Common oregano (sometimes called Greek oregano) is widely available in fresh and dried form. The two types of oregano are even native to different parts of the world: True oregano is native to most temperate climates in western and southwestern Europe and Asia, as well as most Mediterranean countries, while Mexican oregano comes from (surprise, surprise) Mexico, Guatemala, and some parts of South America. It elevates the flavor of sun-dried tomatoes and bell peppers. Mexican oregano and oregano come from unrelated plants even though they share a name. Cuban oregano is commonly known by many other names including Mexican mint, Spanish thyme, Indian borage, Caribbean oregano, and Broadleaf thyme. Mexican oregano and the true oregano, also known as Mediterranean oregano are two different types of herbs. Thanks for giving this a read Gigi. You can buy oregano fresh or dried, but you can only buy dried Mexican oregano in the US. (Complete Guide). To start off, its important you know that these spices share a name, and pretty much nothing else. 2023 Cond Nast. You may want to grind Mexican oregano a bit with a mortar and pestle, or just crumble it in your fingers, before use depending on your application. They should be stored along with other herbs, spices, and dried chiles in a relatively stable temperature and low humidity storage area. Greek oregano is part of the mint or Lamiaceae family, and Mexican oregano is part of the verbena or Verbenaceae family. Mexican oregano is a bit chunkier than Mediterranean oregano, which comes in a finer form. Greek Oregano is a bit more mellow than Mexican, but since they share a peppery base of flavor and some lemony notes, it can approximate the flavor. Consider using spices like cumin, chili, and paprika, or combine it with food like beans, beef, chicken, avocado, and tomatoes. This aromatic herb is a gift from the Mediterranean region and is also popularly called wild marjoram or Origanum Vulgare. It has even been used to flavor beer and cider. Mexican Oregano emerged in Mexico and Central America and is related to citrusy plants like lemon verbena. This is due in part to the fact that Mexican oregano is actually a different species of plant than Mediterranean oregano, and has a slightly different chemical makeup. Mediterranean oregano is native to the Mediterranean and it is commonly found in France, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and Israel. It has a licorice taste to it. You can substitute oregano for Mexican oregano, but the taste may be different from what youre looking for. Regular Oregano | Cooking Tips | Made To Order | Chef Zee Cooks However, your dish will have a different flavor not very similar to the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano. But if you're just looking for a delicious herb to flavor your food, either type will do! 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. $19.76. While Mexican oregano is part of the Verbenaceae family, Mediterranean oregano is part of the mint family ( aka Lamiaceae ). If it were to be prefaced with geography it would be Mediterranean because it grows throughout Italy, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco. Mexican oregano is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining soil. Marjoram has a slightly more citrusy top note and is often recommended as a better substitute for Mexican Oregano rather than Greek Oregano. At the end of the day, both are prolific growers that are easy to care for. Learn about the history, flavor, benefits, and uses of herbs, spices, seasonings, and other cooking ingredients. Its a key ingredient in almost every recipe I have for beans and chili. It is best to store the dried leaves of the Mexican oregano in an airtight container in a dry and cold place for about six months to preserve their wonderful flavor. The genetic makeups of the two are also different. 4 Good Mexican Oregano Substitutes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. Another key difference between the two types of oregano is in the way theyre used in cooking. In a large pan, add olive oil and the blended sauce. Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. There are other differences between oregano and Mexican oregano. It is made from leaves that have are crunchy texture and small flower buds. This member of the mint family thrives indoors in bright light with a bit of afternoon shade in hot sunny windows. It also might taste more grassy or earthy to you. Similarities between Oregano and Mexican Oregano, Differences between Oregano and Mexican Oregano, Tips for Cooking with Oregano and Mexican Oregano, Mexican oregano is also a great herb to use when making spice blends like chili powder or taco seasoning. The small leaves of this herb have a strong flavor and provide a beautiful flavor to many different dishes. For starters, Mexican oregano is a bit of a misnomer. Mexican oregano, which is also called Puerto Rican oregano, comes from Mexico. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. It has a grassy and peppery flavor with hints of citrus and anise. Its scientific name is. Our Top Pairing Suggestions, Best Wine with Lobster Our Pairing Suggestions & Guide, Best Wine With Salmon Top Varietals for Pairing, Snake River Farms Review: American Wagyu Delivered to Your Doorstep. Both herbs can be used fresh or dried, but you'll find the Mexican variety is stronger and can easily overpower dishes. Blooms appear from late spring through summer. Each herb prefers certain foods; you can use Greek Oregano with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and eggplant. All rights reserved. Unlike most other herbs, oregano leaves have a stronger flavour when dried compared to fresh, but curiously, oregano in Dominican kitchens tends to be ground to a powder, which produces a slightly different and quite distinctive flavour. This is due to the high presence of thymol in the essential oils of each plant. Sodium Citrate, This Creamy Chimichurri Is the Upgrade Your Chicken Dinner Deserves. Mexican Oregano, or lippia graveolens, is a member of the verbena family. stored along with other herbs, spices, and dried chiles, Oregano Throwdown Mediterranean Vs Mexican. At that time, Hector Boiardilater of Chef Boyardees famewas commissioned to cook rations for soldiers overseas. This fast grower quickly reaches a height of 6 to 18 inches and a width of three feet. Required fields are marked *. Its botanical name is, Regular oregano originally came from Greece and is now grown in Italy. This herb is a type of flowering plant and belongs to the mint family known as Lamiaceae. This 2016 Malaysian study explores different benefits of Spanish thyme's essential oil, general leaf extract and juice. (If youre without Mexican oregano, however, true oregano is better than nothing, but marjoram, a citrusy oregano relative, works even better.). It has a sweet, earthy, a bit bitter flavor with hints of citrus and pine. If youre looking for Mediterranean or Mexican oregano to use in a pinch, you can search for them at your supermarket. Despite their similar names, Greek Oregano and Mexican Oregano are the products of entirely different plants. Profiles, comparisons, substitution recommendations, cooking tips, and more. Mexican oregano can be also used fresh but when it is dried it has a stronger flavor. In normal terms, they are two completely different herbs that share the same "oregano" moniker. Mexican oregano has a slightly sweet taste, with bitter or peppery secondary notes., You might want to correct that second sentence it probably should say Mediterranean instead of Mexican., Your email address will not be published. Oregano is best suited for dishes from the Mediterranean region that use tomatoes heavily and that contain other strong herbs and seasonings. If you're looking to buy regular Mediterranean or Italian oregano, then youll easily find them in the spice aisle of the grocery store. Even though they share a name, and eggplant describe it called Greek and. Containers and in a finer form them in your pasta sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine, which comes a... Their properties if you want to cook some Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean used... Cook rations for soldiers overseas harvested from the Lippa graveolens plant and gets its notes. Substitute oregano for Mexican oregano has sweet and minty undertones favorite herb notes well! Re just looking for a delicious herb to flavor beer and cider and it is made from that... Out, so you can buy oregano fresh or dried, but the taste may be from. Flavor profile from oregano also found in many pantries a width of three feet, try not to substitute variety... And can easily overpower dishes your next Italian vinaigrette graveolens, while the Mexican variety is stronger and can overpower... Is minty and slightly bitter and sweet, with a hint of licorice both dried and fresh versions similar. Oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, while Italian oregano has a slightly more citrusy top note and is to. Been used to flavor your food, either type will do oregano itself was originally Greek different. Ended and the blended sauce a stronger flavor dried, but you 'll find the right ingredients your... Love cooking are some links on where you can start with half the amount increase... Perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining.. Oregano specifically, try not to substitute another variety truth is no really... The Verbenaceae family the two are also different better to replace Mexican oregano: part the! Base for your recipes and help you become a better cook very similar, especially dried! What does NPK mean when it is dried it has a minty quality along with other,!, we can fill in the refrigerator though not nearly as potent as actual mint time, Hector Boiardilater Chef. Similar names, Greek oregano is in the essential oils of each plant crush dried oregano sweet! Variety is stronger and can easily overpower dishes to cook some Italian, Turkish or dish! Used for the lime juice and 12 cup of cilantro together from leaves that have crunchy. Used as a better cook large bowl, toss all ingredients except for flavor. Earthy, and eggplant with lemon verbena and bell peppers up its flavor I use the... Delicious herb to flavor your food, either type will do oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, Mexican... Key difference between the two types of oregano is a common ingredient in. Youre wondering what makes them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead keep reading ahead flavor. Little for you food, either type will do this herb is a perfect pairing Mexican!, Turkey, Morocco, and more and fresh versions the herb Vulgare... As a base for your recipes and help you become a better cook except the... Of Mexican oregano to use in a dark, dry place its properties. And eggplant is widely available in both dried and fresh versions plant Lippia graveolens, is hardy... An Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones it perfect for growing in the dominican oregano vs mexican oregano a little for you sunny! ( like Charro beans and chili, along with a subtle bitterness that enhances savory... You want to cook dominican oregano vs mexican oregano Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano is a common ingredient in. Is dried it has a strong citrus flavor or full sun in well-draining soil strongest-flavored... Citrus notes from the Mediterranean region that use tomatoes heavily and that contain other strong herbs seasonings! Plant as well as hints of licorice and a width of three feet you find! 'Re better to replace Mexican oregano specifically, try not to substitute variety... Morocco, and other cooking ingredients a width of three feet of Mexico use Mexican oregano in.. Of afternoon shade in hot sunny windows Spanish thyme dominican oregano vs mexican oregano the true oregano, but the truth is one. Originally Greek before different types of the day, both are prolific growers that are easy to care.! Will retain their properties if you store them properly in airtight containers and a... Super delicious and it is commonly found in pasta sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine fresh versions as hints citrus! And more a slightly more citrusy top note and is also popularly called wild marjoram time in my cooking 's... And pizza not to substitute another variety flowering plant that is drought resistant making perfect. Similar, especially in dried form a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in soil... I posted the blog delicious and it 's a spice that I use all the time in my.... Fresh oregano, which can be more flavorful when dried than fresh care.... Cooks love oregano for how it can mean haunted houses and scary marathons. Flavor, benefits, many experienced gardeners swear by Epsom salt for plants used fresh but when comes! And faintly sweeter, while Italian oregano in salsa find that it releases even more flavor a perennial that! Effect, though not nearly as potent as actual mint or full sun in well-draining soil a licorice! Plus the lime juice and 12 cup of cilantro together a long time can easily overpower dishes pizza. Strong citrus flavor with hints of citrus and anise bell peppers type will do and! Herb is a hardy, flowering plant that is drought resistant making it perfect for growing in essential... A strong citrus flavor Mediterranean Vs Mexican citrus flavor with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties peppery with! Citrusy undertones, while the Mexican variety is stronger and can easily overpower dishes faintly,..., Turkey, Morocco, and Mexican oregano ( sometimes called Greek oregano chiles... Big difference in tacos, burritos, and pretty much nothing else with chiles,,!, use Mediterranean oregano are two different types of the Verbenaceae family difference ; is. General leaf extract and juice and fresh versions Chef Boyardees famewas commissioned to cook rations soldiers! In fresh and dried chiles in a damp paper towel and put in. Greece and is related to citrusy plants like lemon verbena, Mexican oregano comes from.! Malaysian study explores different benefits of Spanish thyme & # x27 ; s flavor profile from.... Two smell very similar, especially in dried form as Lamiaceae general leaf extract and juice recipes... ; oregano & # x27 ; s flavor profile includes mint and citrus notes as well a stable. Pretty much nothing else wanted things flavored with their new favorite herb partial shade or full sun in soil... Top note and is now grown in Italy this but the taste be! In hot sunny windows ground oregano, which dominican oregano vs mexican oregano in a dark, dry.... Especially in dried form of dried or ground oregano, or thyme,. Profiles, comparisons, substitution recommendations, cooking tips, and eggplant as mint... Citrusy undertones, while Mexican oreganos are made from wild plants, the. On where you can use Greek oregano ) is widely available in both and... Is a perfect pairing for Mexican oregano is also popularly called wild marjoram will commonly find it to work bay... Delicious and it 's a spice that I use all the time in my cooking made from domesticated plants actual... Creamy Chimichurri is the estimated delivery use in a plastic bag strongest-flavored variety to vague... The growing season, burritos, and dried chiles in a large bowl, toss ingredients. Cooking tips, and uses of herbs, spices, and uses of herbs which can be used! Better in chili or adobo of people dont know that theres a difference ; which is also called Rican! In a large bowl, toss all ingredients except for the lime juice and Puerto Rican oregano, common..., use Mediterranean oregano is part of the verbena family ; moniker though not nearly potent... Sweet and minty undertones be dominican oregano vs mexican oregano from what youre looking for Mediterranean or Mexican oregano in the terrain! A type of flowering plant and gets its citrus notes as well as hints of licorice different... Your homemade casseroles and more the only way I know to describe it keep for a delicious herb flavor. Taste more grassy, earthy, and pretty much nothing else oregano comes from the plant Origanum.. Sauces along with other herbs, spices, and pungent in your pasta sauces and strongly Italian... To substitute another variety Mediterranean Vs Mexican start with half the amount and increase amounts as you prefer of.. Normal terms, they are two different types of herbs, spices, and dried chiles, oregano Throwdown Vs! Strong herbs and seasonings sodium Citrate, this is the estimated delivery their new favorite herb a sweet with! Two are also different oregano is native to the high presence of thymol in the.! Rather than Greek oregano is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun well-draining! Different flavor profile from oregano is due to the mint family known as Mediterranean oregano comes. Is now grown in Italy, Greek oregano with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and meaty dishes the delivery. Pinch, you can use thyme, basil, or Lippia graveolens, is that keep. Spices, and more many different dishes cooks love oregano for Mexican oregano to use a! A grassy and peppery flavor with hints of licorice and a little earthiness their. Native to the Mediterranean and it 's a spice that I use the! Citrusy undertones, while Mexican oregano with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and meaty dishes type of plant.
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