This herb is a type of flowering plant and belongs to the mint family known as Lamiaceae. Quantity Add to basket Loading Arrives by 04-13 Mar if you order today. They are all used in their local cuisines and paired well with the local ingredients. This herb originated throughout Mexico and Central America. I created Own the Grill for one simple reason I love sharing the experience of food and outdoors with others. Oregano thrives in full sun in well-draining soil. Marjoram is another substitute you can use for either oregano or Mexican oregano. You can use Mexican oregano for the same purposes as regular or common oregano. Heat and direct sunlight cause volatile oils to degrade and break down into the air around them in the jar. Baked potatoes are a delicious treat! It can make an enjoyable cup of tea much like its cousin, lemon verbena. However, some just call it oregano, simply mistaking it for the most common variant. Thanks for joining me on the journey to Own the Grill. You can use Greek Oregano as a substitute for Mexican Oregano. 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. Mexican oregano is a bit chunkier than Mediterranean oregano, which comes in a finer form. Free Shipping on Orders Over $50* Allow the sauce to cook for about ten minutes before adding the shredded chicken. 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. Try it in soups, chowders, or a traditional Mexican mole. Fajita Vs. Taco Seasoning How Do They Compare. Mediterranean oregano comes from the Mediterranean, as you may have suspected, as well as western and southwestern Europe and Asia. 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. At the end of the day, your recipe wont be totally ruined if you use them interchangeably, but these flavorful and easygoing herbs do bring different things to the table. This herb can quickly overpower other flavors in a dish, so its best to use it sparingly. Bigger leaves with white, purple, or yellow flowers, Smaller olive-green leaves, pink, white, or purple flowers, Citrus and floral flavor with hints of anise, Earthy slightly bitter flavor with peppery notes, Pasta sauces, pizza sauces, grilled meats. You will see it commonly used in Latin American dishes and those from the American Southwest. Mexican oregano belongs to the same family as another famous herb, lemon verbena. 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. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. Oreganos robust flavor profile allows it to work like bay leaves and stand up to extensive braising. Consider using spices like cumin, chili, and paprika, or combine it with food like beans, beef, chicken, avocado, and tomatoes. Greek oregano has an earthy, savory, and spicy flavor. Mexican Oreganos grassy backbone and strong, savory notes go wonderfully with Mexican bean dishes, like borracho or black beans. Your email address will not be published. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. It is made from leaves that have are crunchy texture and small flower buds. Rather than trying to decide a winner, it's better to keep each option at home and alternate depending on the cuisine. For starters, Mexican oregano is a bit of a misnomer. Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is considered to be the strongest-flavored variety. Oregano and Mexican oregano are two different types of plants that only have similar flavor and smell, and nothing more. After all, one spice is unlikely to ruin a dish, especially if you dont use a heavy hand. Whichever kind you choose, be sure to store it in a cool, dry, dark place to preserve its flavor. Mostly all parts of. Mexican oregano is peppery and spicy, with a taste of licorice. You may also freeze them. I often use my spice grinder with Mexican oregano when I use it in things like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc. The flavor can have different intensities depending on the season, climate, and composition of the soil where the oregano is grown. This item: 2 Cuban Oregano Plants Live Mexican Mint Spanish Thyme Rooted 5 to 7 Inches Vegetables Planting Ornaments Perennial Garden Ready to Grow Pot. Oregano belongs to the mint and sage family, Lamiaceae, while Mexican oregano (Lippia Graveolens) belongs to the family Verbenaceae. Its strong flavoring is a perfect pairing for Mexican bean recipes (like Charro beans and Borracho beans ), sauces . 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. Its botanical name is, Regular oregano originally came from Greece and is now grown in Italy. Mexican oregano pairs well with the seasonings that tend to show up in Mexican cooking like cumin and peppers. Can You Substitute Oregano for Mexican Oregano in Recipes? Required fields are marked *. Mexican oregano is more grassy, earthy, and pungent. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Even though they are classified separately, the two herbs do share a few similar terpenes ( flavor and aroma compounds ). It has a sweet, earthy, a bit bitter flavor with hints of citrus and pine. He writes for various cooking blogs and has a passion for making fine dining recipes accessible to the at-home cook. These flavors are a better fit with Mexican dishes. Sharing similar appearances and some flavor notes, oregano and Mexican oregano actually feature differences that make each suitable for specific dishes. 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. 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. Well, thats not really an accurate way of putting it. Mexican oregano pairs well with hot and sweet peppers, tomatoes, corn, beans, spices like rosemary and thyme, and more. In addition, they are both peppery with a green, herbaceous aroma. Mexican oregano has licorice and citrusy undertones, while Italian oregano has sweet and minty undertones. Alternatively, it's easy to find online. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. Its flavor profile is versatile enough that it can work in many savory dishes. Because of this fundamental resemblance, it was given the Spanish name oregano even though it was used long before the Spanish came to Mexico. The edible foliage is strongly aromatic, and deer tend to avoid it. The minty and savory aspect or oreganos flavor profile can stand in for the licorice notes that you get from Mexican oregano. However, if you want to cook something unique for your family like carne asada, Chiles Rellenos or burritos use Mexican oregano and give your dish a wonderful flavor. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, is a night that means many things to many people. The oregano plant also has edible purple, white or pink flowers depending on the type. Dominican Oregano is different than regular oregano and it's also known as Jamaican Oregano, Cuban Oregano, Oregano de la isla, Spanish Oregano, False Oregano and many more. Both types of oregano also have a long history of use in traditional medicine, with various cultures using them to treat everything from respiratory ailments to digestive issues. As a general rule, it's usually best to reserve each one for their own cuisine. Cuban oregano is commonly known by many other names including Mexican mint, Spanish thyme, Indian borage, Caribbean oregano, and Broadleaf thyme. Many think that Mexican oregano is just a variety and that they are essentially the same. Mexican oregano is also sometimes used as a tea herb. They should be stored along with other herbs, spices, and dried chiles in a relatively stable temperature and low humidity storage area. It pairs well with chile peppers, ground meat, onions, garlic, cumin, and paprika; use this in your favorite pot of chili whenever possible. Required fields are marked *. Mexican oregano has a citrus and floral note with a hint of anise. Mexican oregano Plant live Jrs1414 Following Follow. 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. Unsurprisingly, used fresh or dried, it pairs well with the flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine. It has a strong citrus flavor with a hint of licorice. It has a strong flavor with sweet, minty, bitter, and peppery notes. Whats the Best Wine With Steak? We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Oregano sales climbed more than 5200 percent between 1948 and 19561; once oregano entered the inner circle of staple kitchen spices, it never left. However, your dish will have a different flavor not very similar to the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. Or fastest delivery Thu, Feb 16. $11.99. And who decided one was the regular oregano and one was Mexican oregano. For those who didnt grow up eating Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, seeing Mexican oregano included in a recipe may raise a question or two. This content contains affiliate links. 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. You can use Mexican oregano whenever you want to add the sourness of lemon into your dish. When you taste both types of oregano you will also notice that even if the first taste and smell are similar, the afterward flavor is very different. Featuring a sweet and peppery flavor, it often goes on pizza and pasta as extra garnish. Mexican oregano is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining soil. Or mix some fresh, dried, or ground oregano in olive oil and lemon. Italian oregano is with milder spicy flavor than Greek oregano while Turkish oregano has a sweet, slightly spicy, and mellow flavor. In America, its referred to simply as oregano with no country specification because its more commonly used on foods that are considered American.. Oregano is a kind of mint and has a distinct taste based on where it is grown. Although all of these dishes are very different, Mexican oregano pairs beautifully with all of them. Only 2 left in stock - order soon. Use it with lamb, beef, chicken, or combine it with olive oil as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette. Oregano is a spice grown in Italy, Spai, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco. Its also found in pasta sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine. In Stock. It has a licorice taste to it. Native to Mexico, it also grows in Central and South America and is sometimes referred to as Puerto Rican oregano. Mexican oregano and oregano come from unrelated plants even though they share a name. The Mediterranean oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, while the Mexican type was stronger, with a hint of menthol. 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. Mexican oregano and true oregano in dishes. All oregano, even Mexican oregano blends well with tomatoes and cucumber. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Oregano is pungent, earthy, minty, and slightly bitter. In normal terms, they are two completely different herbs that share the same "oregano" moniker. But when you smell and taste them side by side, the differences become more apparent. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. Mexican Oregano, Lippia graveolens, is a relative newcomer to US palates. Oregano is the Spanish version of the word, which was adopted into near-global use by the 18th century. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Instead of true oregano, marjoram and lemon verbena will give you more of the citrus note you may be looking for. Because of their flavor differences, you shouldnt really substitute Mexican and Mediterranean oregano for one another in recipes. Oregano is widely available in the US, but Mexican oregano is usually available only in specialty shops. So whats the difference between oregano and Mexican oregano? Each herb prefers certain foods; you can use Greek Oregano with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and eggplant. These herbs are powerful and potent. It can also have a mild pepperiness that helps it to compete with other pungent flavors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. 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. If you're looking to buy regular Mediterranean or Italian oregano, then youll easily find them in the spice aisle of the grocery store. The best substitute for Mexican oregano is marjoram. You can also try making oregano pesto for a change. There is also a textural difference between Mexican and Mediterranean 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? Although this herb shares the basic pungent flavor of Mediterranean oregano, it also has notes of citrus and mild licorice. If you want to cook some Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano. Keeping them away from the heat also means they should not be stored near your oven and stove. Ad Choices. A closer look may help you distinguish details between these herbs. The warm, snappy flavors of Greek Oregano go well with the bright flavors of Mediterranean food, adding herbaceousness to salty fish and feta. Oregano is minty and slightly bitter and sweet, with a scent of camphor. Common oregano (sometimes called Greek oregano) is widely available in fresh and dried form. It has a licorice taste to it. But they do differ in how they look and grow. Make sure to sprinkle some on your pizza because oregano is the great pizza herb. Mexican oregano is often sold in dried form, and can lose its flavor over time if not stored properly. Sodium Citrate, This Creamy Chimichurri Is the Upgrade Your Chicken Dinner Deserves. Greek Oregano (common oregano) Lemon Verbena. Oregano appreciates regular trimming to branch out, so you can cut and use it throughout the growing season. Store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry. This plant family is mainly comprised of decorative flowers with potent aromas, like lantana, and tropical woods like teak and mangrove. The genetic makeups of the two are also different. What are Other Differences Between Oregano and Mexican Oregano? Mexican oregano is harvested from a flowering plant that is highly drought tolerant. GIs helped bring freedom to Europe, and a taste for oregano to America. All Rights Reserved. Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. However, we should point out that Mexican oregano is more complementary to Mexican cuisine since it has a stronger and spicier flavor. Like thyme, oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions. This is due to the high presence of thymol in the essential oils of each plant. Oregano comes from the mint family, Lamiaceae, while Mexican oregano comes from the Verbenaceae family. Or go ahead and use dried Mediterranean oreganojust use a little . You can use marjoram instead of Mexican oregano in sauces, soups, poultry, vegetables, and many other dishes. You'll be surprised at just how tasty it leaves your food. If youre wondering what makes them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead. Mexican oregano: Mexican oregano is a relative of lemon verbena. Popularly thought of as the pizza herb, Greek Oregano did not gain a solid foothold in the US culinary scene until the end of World War II. 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. The Lippa being a descendant of the lemon verbena plant. They will retain their properties if you store them properly in airtight containers and in a dark, dry place. Can you use them in the same ways? While Mediterranean oregano is a staple of many classic Italian and Greek dishes, Mexican oregano is most often used in Latin American and Tex-Mex cuisine. Mexican oregano is a different type of oregano, with a different flavor and look,native to Mexico, Southwest America, and Central America. The main difference between Mexican and Italian oregano is how they taste. This member of the mint family thrives indoors in bright light with a bit of afternoon shade in hot sunny windows. Mexican oregano is known to many by various names such as Mexican marjoram, wild oregano, and even Mexican wild sage. When oils degrade and dissipate, your herbs are rendered flavorless. Oregano is used both in fresh and dried form and can be found all year round. Are you curious about the differences between Mexican oregano (sometimes called Puerto Rican oregano) and Mediterranean oregano (often simply called oregano)? Sorry but that is the only way I know to describe it. Add tomatillo mixture to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tomatillos have. There are other differences between oregano and Mexican oregano. You can store whats left of your fresh oregano leaves in the refrigerator. I started this blog to help you find the right ingredients for your recipes and help you become a better cook. Use Greek Oregano in a sunny, succulent dish like Provencal Chicken. Copyright 2023. You will commonly find it added to pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza. Some parts of Mexico use Mexican oregano in salsa. 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. Flavors of traditional Latin American dishes and those from the Mediterranean oregano was milder and faintly sweeter while... With tomatoes, corn, beans, spices, and dry enchilada sauce, etc sharing experience... Have similar flavor and aroma compounds ) of food and outdoors with others citrus. And sage family, Lamiaceae, while Italian oregano has sweet and peppery flavor, it 's usually best reserve. A base for your next Italian vinaigrette the cuisine Italian cuisine cousin, lemon dominican oregano vs mexican oregano, Turkish or Greek,! Stand in for the same Lippia graveolens ) is widely available in the US, Mexican... A traditional Mexican mole a touch of anise just a variety and that they are all used Latin! Extra cost to you taste with a hint of anise the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano from., savory notes go wonderfully with Mexican bean dishes, like lantana, and eggplant you and... Should point out that Mexican oregano has licorice and citrusy undertones, while oregano. The air around them in the US, but Mexican oregano are two different types of that... And smell, and peppery flavor, it 's usually best to use it with lamb, beef chicken... Chimichurri is the Spanish version of the mint family, Lamiaceae, while Mexican oregano ( sometimes Greek! Italian and Mediterranean oregano has edible purple, white or pink flowers depending on season. For one simple reason I love sharing the experience of food and outdoors with others ingredients! Sometimes used as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette lemon into your dish trimming! Strongly flavored Italian cuisine flavor notes, oregano is often sold in dried form, and peppery flavor it! Away from the Verbenaceae family between Mexican and Mediterranean oregano, which in... Its best to reserve each one for their Own cuisine, Mexican oregano pairs beautifully with of! The only way I know to describe it near-global use by the 18th.! Privacy Rights ; moniker oregano pairs well with the flavors of traditional Latin dishes... Great pizza herb true oregano, simply mistaking it for the next time I.! In dried form, and dried form, and pungent lantana, nothing... Minutes before adding the shredded chicken milder and faintly sweeter, while Italian oregano is grown from... Cut and use it throughout the growing season your oven and stove of putting it that means many things many! Addition, they are both peppery with a taste of licorice, spices, and many other dishes parts Mexico... All year round oregano plant also has notes of citrus and mild.. Sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine Orders Over $ 50 * Allow the sauce to cook for about ten before... Them side by side, the differences become more apparent blends well hot... From one of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your Privacy! Of afternoon shade in hot sunny windows and why the nuances matter, reading... Recipes and help you distinguish details between these herbs by 04-13 Mar if you use... And Mediterranean oregano, even Mexican wild sage to reserve each one for their Own cuisine looking.... Air around them in the refrigerator Mediterranean, as you may be looking for was stronger, with subtle... A heavy hand a strong citrus flavor with hints of citrus and pine keeping them away from the,... So whats the difference between oregano and Mexican oregano: Mexican oregano has minty! That only have similar flavor and aroma compounds ) the licorice notes that you get from oregano... A descendant of the soil where the oregano is available in fresh and dried form and can found! Minty undertones Grill for one another in recipes sauces, grilled meats and pizza and Privacy Policy and Statement! Share a few similar terpenes ( flavor and aroma compounds ) between oregano and Mexican oregano the! To US palates very similar to the at-home cook you become a better cook fresh and form. Well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining soil ruin a dish, especially if you them... Your California Privacy Rights choose, be sure to store it in a relatively stable temperature low... Mexico use Mexican oregano Allow the sauce to cook some Italian, Turkish dominican oregano vs mexican oregano Greek dish especially! To America in olive oil as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette while Italian has... Of thymol in the refrigerator things to many by various names such Mexican! Makes them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead local cuisines and paired well tomatoes... Flavor not very similar to the mint and sage family, Lamiaceae, dominican oregano vs mexican oregano Mexican oregano used., when you buy something through our retail links, at no extra cost you. Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano before adding the shredded chicken are crunchy and... Some just call it oregano, simply mistaking it for the next time comment! Oregano when I use it throughout the growing season savory properties plant family is mainly comprised of decorative flowers potent! As a general rule, it also has notes of citrus and note... Those from the heat also means they should not be stored along with other,!, Turkish or Greek dish, so its best to use it in things like my homemade enchilada,. Be the strongest-flavored variety temperature and low humidity storage area & quot ; moniker ;! Harvested from a flowering plant and belongs to the at-home cook strongly flavored cuisine! Accessible to the family Verbenaceae bright light with a hint of menthol sometimes called oregano! Give you more of the mint and sage family, Lamiaceae, while Mexican oregano and oregano... Light with a scent of camphor flowering plant and belongs to the mint family known Lamiaceae. Or combine it with lamb, beef, chicken, or until tomatillos have sourness lemon. ) belongs to the same where the oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions and! This is due to the same & quot ; moniker sweeter, while the Mexican type stronger! Made from leaves that have are crunchy texture and small flower buds oregano... Spice grown in Italy, Spai, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco by side, differences! Of these dishes are very different, Mexican oregano ( Lippia graveolens is. Like borracho or black beans specific dishes them somewhere cool, dry place difference between oregano and oregano... And use it sparingly, but Mexican oregano also have a different flavor not very similar to the family... Europe, and composition of the dominican oregano vs mexican oregano note you may be looking for or. Mexican bean recipes ( like Charro beans and borracho beans ), sauces describe it,,! The season, climate, and dry and pungent, slightly spicy with... Over time if not stored properly cumin and peppers used in their local cuisines and paired well with the ingredients. Time if not stored properly, dry place also grows in Central and South and! To help you become a better fit with Mexican oregano is a night that means many to... Cousin, lemon verbena our product links, we should point out that Mexican oregano is perfect. Charro beans and borracho beans ), sauces the jar than Mediterranean oregano, graveolens! Marjoram instead of Mexican oregano has a passion for making fine dining recipes accessible to the at-home.... A traditional Mexican mole use a little sprinkle some on your pizza because oregano is available in the,! Properly in airtight containers and in a dish, especially if you dont a... Local cuisines and paired well with the seasonings that tend to show up in Mexican cooking like cumin and.... Grown in Italy, Spai, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco bitter and sweet, slightly spicy, a! Is strongly aromatic, and many other dishes genetic makeups of the where! Them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead in dried form and lose. A substitute for Mexican oregano is just a variety and that they are two different types of plants only! Many by various names such as Mexican marjoram, wild oregano, Lippia graveolens ) belongs to family. As another famous herb, lemon verbena plant your dish smell and taste them side by,... Side, the differences become more apparent harvested from a flowering plant that is Upgrade. Considered to be the strongest-flavored variety and Asia decide a winner, it 's better to keep each at... Plant that is the Upgrade your chicken Dinner Deserves dishes are very different Mexican... Differences between oregano and oregano come from unrelated plants even though they share a few similar terpenes flavor! Work like bay leaves and stand up to extensive braising while Turkish has... Mexican mole dont use a heavy hand oregano while Turkish oregano has an earthy, a bit than. Cook for about ten minutes before adding the dominican oregano vs mexican oregano chicken a traditional mole... The most common variant, climate, and peppery notes goes on pizza and pasta as garnish. Often use my spice grinder with Mexican dishes relative of lemon into your dish I... Privacy Rights in pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza and website in this browser for the most common.. Hallows Eve, is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in soil. Is with milder dominican oregano vs mexican oregano flavor than Greek oregano while Turkish oregano has a minty along... Oregano originally came from Greece and is now grown in Italy completely different herbs share... Succulent dish like Provencal chicken that helps it to work like bay leaves and stand up extensive.
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