Thus, they are different types of plants, with different looks, flavors and work well in different dishes. Although this herb shares the basic pungent flavor of Mediterranean oregano, it also has notes of citrus and mild licorice. It can make an enjoyable cup of tea much like its cousin, lemon verbena. Dried oregano has an even stronger taste than fresh oregano, and is a common ingredient found in many pantries. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. That said, it is a savory herb and will work with the same kinds of ingredients that get used along with oregano. And its accompanied by an impressive array of related herbs so that you can explore this minty family's many nuances in one aromatic serving. Oregano (sometimes called Mediterranean oregano) is widely available in supermarkets, but Mexican oregano is mostly found in specialty shops, spice stores, and Latin markets. Despite their similar names, Greek Oregano and Mexican Oregano are the products of entirely different plants. 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. You can usually find Mexican oregano in dry form (as its often used) at Latin markets. Chances are, you might have heard of the life-changing magic of Epsom salt in gardening. Toss the chicken with the sauce until it is totally covered and then . What you need to know, 4 ways to incorporate Epsom salt into your garden, 5 companion plants to keep your chive plants company, Plants that pair well with chives in the garden or in the kitchen. Outdoors grow it in dappled shade with fertile well-drained soil. Store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-mexican-oregano, https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/mexican-oregano-substitutes-article, https://www.happysprout.com/indoor-plants/mexican-oregano-vs-oregano/, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mexican-oregano-vs-oregano, https://spicesinc.com/blogs/spices-new-blogs/oregano-throwdown-mediterranean-vs-mexican, https://tastylicious.com/mexican-oregano-vs-italian-oregano/, Filed Under: Herb Gardening Tagged With: Gardening, Growing Herbs, growing oregano, herb gardening. Get in touch with me any time at jimmy@ownthegrill.com. 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. 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. It can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or root division, so sourcing it isn't difficult. Mexican oregano can give a lovely flavor to beans, soups, stews, salsas, tacos, fish, pork, tomato-based sauces, and seasoning mixtures. Its strong flavoring is a perfect pairing for Mexican bean recipes (like Charro beans and Borracho beans ), sauces . Hello, I am Saurabh and I love cooking. Required fields are marked *. You can buy oregano fresh or dried, but you can only buy dried Mexican oregano in the US. Dominican Oregano. At that time, Hector Boiardilater of Chef Boyardees famewas commissioned to cook rations for soldiers overseas. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic bag. The Mexican variety is pungent and citrusy with a subtle anise undertone; Italian Oregano has a slightly sweeter, more subtle flavor and it's likely to be the spice that you're currently using in cooking. 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. 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. 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. I would never use Italian oregano in place of mexican oregano. Greek oreganos are made from wild plants, while Mexican oreganos are made from domesticated plants. It is fall-apart tender and peppery; citrusy Mexican Oregano punches up its flavor. While the two species of plants are totally unrelated, they do share a few flavor and aroma compounds, called terpenes, that make them taste and smell similarat first. While it appreciates deep watering in well-draining soil, it's also relatively drought tolerant. It has a strong flavor with sweet, minty, bitter, and peppery notes. So whats the difference between oregano and Mexican oregano? They should be stored along with other herbs, spices, and dried chiles in a relatively stable temperature and low humidity storage area. The small leaves of this herb have a strong flavor and provide a beautiful flavor to many different dishes. It can also have a mild pepperiness that helps it to compete with other pungent flavors. Your email address will not be published. These appliances generate ambient heat when theyre in use. The differences between Mexican oregano and oregano are visible at first sight when you have them side by side. You can start with half the amount and increase amounts as you prefer. It works as a seasoning in many dishes like salsas, beans, tacos, soups, burritos, enchilada sauce, and braised pork. Both herbs can be used fresh or dried, but you'll find the Mexican variety is stronger and can easily overpower dishes. It pairs well with chile peppers, ground meat, onions, garlic, cumin, and paprika; use this in your favorite pot of chili whenever possible. Pair Mexican Oregano with chiles, beans, and ground meats. All rights reserved. Although it is a popular ingredient in Mexican recipes, it is also used for making herbal tea. At their core, both Mediterranean and Mexican oregano are herbs that come from the same family of plants, Lamiaceae. But Mexican Oregano is your best choice for Chimichurri sauce, burritos, Mexican soup, enchiladas, baked beans, spicy pasta dishes, Mexican chili, baked chicken, mussels, and more. Blooms appear in the summer, which is when you should start cutting back on the foliage which you can dry out to use in your favorite recipes! $28.99. Mexican oregano is also sometimes used as a tea herb. Because Mexican oregano doesnt taste like oregano, you probably wont be able to use it as an oregano substitute without anyone noticing. It has a citrus and floral flavor with hints of anise that works amazingly in different beans, soups, salsas, tacos, stews, and many other dishes. Mexican oregano and oregano are often confused because of their similar names. So whats the real difference between oregano and Mexican oregano? Sharing similar appearances and some flavor notes, oregano and Mexican oregano actually feature differences that make each suitable for specific dishes. Cooking With Sea Salt: The Dos And Donts, Cooking With Turmeric: The Dos And Donts. 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. Mexican oreganos intense earthy, peppery flavor may be a little too much for some people, especially kids. While Mexican oregano is part of the Verbenaceae family, Mediterranean oregano is part of the mint family ( aka Lamiaceae ). Mexican oregano is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining soil. There are over 40 types of oregano. Mexican Oregano is more pungent than Greek Oregano, but their peppery flavor profile is the basis for their shared name. Mexican Oregano, or lippia graveolens, is a member of the verbena family. Like thyme, oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions. Youll notice the similarity, as Mexican oregano has citrus undertones that blend with its earthy flavor. The genetic makeups of the two are also different. It can be used for purposes other than cooking, such as aromatherapy when used as an oil. Greek oregano has an earthy, savory, and spicy flavor. While Mediterranean and Mexican oregano may be different in some ways, they both have a lot to offer in terms of flavor and versatility. It is becoming more commonly sold outside of Mexico, especially in the southeastern United States. Its a key ingredient in almost every recipe I have for beans and chili. Mediterranean oregano has a slightly sweet taste, with bitter or peppery secondary notes. Lather and drop them in your homemade casseroles and more. Oregano is also very healthy to take as a tea, especially when youre down with a cough, cold, or stomach ailment. It has a sweet, earthy, a bit bitter flavor with hints of citrus and pine. What is oregano? Notice the difference below. Martyris, N. (2015, May 9). These herbs elevate any potato and eggplant dish. Oregano is a spice grown in Italy, Spai, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco. 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. Much like wine, or woods used for smoking, depending on the region its grown in, it has a slightly different taste. It has even been used to flavor beer and cider. It tastes of hay and smells of camphor. Note that even if they have a slightly similar flavor, they dont taste the same. When it comes to cooking with herbs, few are as versatile and widely used as oregano. The minty and savory aspect or oreganos flavor profile can stand in for the licorice notes that you get from Mexican oregano. The result is a potent and distinctive profile that can easily dominate the other aromas and tastes in your recipe if youre not careful. This herb can quickly overpower other flavors in a dish, so its best to use it sparingly. In addition, they are both peppery with a green, herbaceous aroma. Pests shouldnt be a worry; Mexican oregano is aromatic, so deer and pests tend to avoid it. Mediterranean oregano, on the other hand, works well in pasta sauces, pizza sauces, stews, grilled meats, bread, stuffing, salads, and egg dishes. You can use Mexican oregano for the same purposes as regular or common oregano. Each herb prefers certain foods; you can use Greek Oregano with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and eggplant. Mediterranean oregano is native to the Mediterranean and it is commonly found in France, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and Israel. NPR. Because of this fundamental resemblance, it was given the Spanish name oregano even though it was used long before the Spanish came to Mexico. Feature differences that make each suitable for specific dishes a plastic bag, with... And provide a beautiful flavor to many different dishes @ ownthegrill.com chances are, you might have of. Never use Italian oregano in dry form ( as its often used ) at Latin markets it isn & x27... That helps it to compete with other pungent flavors that blend with its earthy flavor has a quality... Than Greek oregano, or root division, so sourcing it isn & # x27 s. Dried chiles in a relatively stable temperature and low humidity storage area much for some people especially... 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