Put some in your pasta sauces along with paprika and pepper. It is excellent for sprinkling into salsa, Latin American dishes, black beans, pozole, or spicy Tex-Mex food like chili. Marjoram. 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. Summary Comparison - Mexican & Italian Oregano, Marjoram Substitutes 5 Recommended Options, Basil Companion Plants: Top 25 Plants To Grow Near Basil, Pungent, citrus flavors with a subtle licorice undertone, Robust flavor with sweet, minty, bitter, and peppery notes, Mexican staples like cumin, chili, paprika, beans, beef, chicken, avocado, and tomatoes, Italian favorites like onion, garlic, basil, flat-leaf parsley, thyme, lamb, beef, chicken, Found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores, Use marjoram, thyme, basil, or sage as your best, Mexican oregano is native to Mexico, Southwest United States, and Central America. As with Mexican oregano, it can resist bouts of drought in fact, overwatering may actually cause root rot. Namely, What is Mexican oregano? and Can I just use any oregano instead? Well, class, thats what Im here to answer. 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. 403 sales | 3.5 out of 5 stars. Store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry. The warm, snappy flavors of Greek Oregano go well with the bright flavors of Mediterranean food, adding herbaceousness to salty fish and feta. Your email address will not be published. Oregano is a widely used spice in many cuisines over the world. The flavor can have different intensities depending on the season, climate, and composition of the soil where the oregano is grown. If youre wondering what makes them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead. It can make an enjoyable cup of tea much like its cousin, lemon verbena. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. The best substitute for Mexican oregano is marjoram. It tastes of hay and smells of camphor. Cuban oregano is commonly known by many other names including Mexican mint, Spanish thyme, Indian borage, Caribbean oregano, and Broadleaf thyme. Mexican oregano can give a lovely flavor to beans, soups, stews, salsas, tacos, fish, pork, tomato-based sauces, and seasoning mixtures. Were committed to providing every person with informative and useful content based on experience in the kitchen. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. Get in touch with me any time at jimmy@ownthegrill.com. Mediterranean oregano, or origanum vulgare, is a member of the mint family. Mexican oregano is a bit chunkier than Mediterranean oregano, which comes in a finer form. Frequently Asked Questions It pairs well with chile peppers, ground meat, onions, garlic, cumin, and paprika; use this in your favorite pot of chili whenever possible. Oregano itself was originally Greek before different types of the herb began to grow. It matches perfectly with dishes from that region. Lather and drop them in your homemade casseroles and more. 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. And who decided one was the regular oregano and one was Mexican oregano. Its strong flavoring is a perfect pairing for Mexican bean recipes (like Charro beans and Borracho beans ), sauces . Personally, I dont use Mexican and Mediterranean oregano interchangeably for the same reason I dont swap thyme for oregano: Theyre just not the same, even if they do taste a little similar. Mexican oregano: Mexican oregano is a relative of lemon verbena. 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. This aromatic herb is a gift from the Mediterranean region and is also popularly called wild marjoram or Origanum Vulgare. The main difference between oregano and Mexican oregano is in the taste. 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. What is oregano? Rather than trying to decide a winner, it's better to keep each option at home and alternate depending on the cuisine. You can use it as a substitute because marjoram has a similar flavor to Mexican oregano. You can usually find Mexican oregano in dry form (as its often used) at Latin markets. However, Greek oregano is considered by many to be the best for flavor. Mexican and Italian oregano are two quite different ingredients when used in cooking. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. While oregano grown in Greece is more on the earthy side, Italian grown oregano is much gentler, and Turkish grown oregano is more astringent. I started this blog to help you find the right ingredients for your recipes and help you become a better cook. Profiles, comparisons, substitution recommendations, cooking tips, and more. In fact, if you crush dried oregano even further you will find that it releases even more flavor. It can also have a mild pepperiness that helps it to compete with other pungent flavors. In other words, Greek oregano was todays cough drops. Oregano is pungent, earthy, minty, and slightly bitter. 2023 Cond Nast. If you dont have Mexican oregano, a better substitute is marjoram with a bit of coriander, or you can substitute in lemon verbena. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Mediterranean oregano is often used to add depth and complexity to tomato-based sauces, and can also be used to flavor meats, vegetables, and breads. Whats the Best Wine With Steak? 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. Mediterranean oregano is made from a combination of Spanish thyme and the herb oregano Vulgare, also known as wild marjoram. Common oregano (sometimes called Greek oregano) is widely available in fresh and dried form. roasted. 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. Mexican oregano is more grassy, earthy, and pungent. It has a grassy and peppery flavor with hints of citrus and anise. Dominican Oregano is super delicious and it's a spice that I use all the time in my cooking. Try dried marjoram (also from the origanum family, but similar to Mexican oregano in its citrusy, floral ways) or dried verbena. And use Mexican oregano if you want to go for that hot peppery taste in your dish. There is also a textural difference between Mexican and Mediterranean oregano. Because these grass-like plants are cold hardy, you can even grow them in the fall. It boasts its Greek origins in its name; oros means mountain and ganos means brightness or joy. Due to this difference, these spices have different uses; Mexican oregano pairs well with cumin, chili, and paprika, while Italian oregano works well with basil, parsley, and thyme. Each herb prefers certain foods; you can use Greek Oregano with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and eggplant. Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is considered to be the strongest-flavored variety. Dried oregano has an even stronger taste than fresh oregano, and is a common ingredient found in many pantries. 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. First, in Mexico, its just called oregano, and what Americans refer to as oregano is called Mediterranean oregano. Youll have the best luck growing plants from cuttings or divided roots when the temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit in spring or fall. It can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or root division, so sourcing it isnt difficult. Instagram: @Chef.Zee Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat: @ChefZeeCooksFor business inquiries please email: biz@chefzeecooks.com You can grind or toast the dried leaves to get a stronger flavor and use them in different dishes. Just after weeks of sowing your seeds, youll have a fresh flavor enhancer and garnish at the ready. It has a stronger and slightly different flavor than the regular oregano. Not quite. Quantity Add to basket Loading Arrives by 04-13 Mar if you order today. You can buy oregano fresh or dried, but you can only buy dried Mexican oregano in the US. It has a sweet, earthy, a bit bitter flavor with hints of citrus and pine. Oregano sales climbed more than 5200 percent between 1948 and 19561; once oregano entered the inner circle of staple kitchen spices, it never left. It is also called "wild marjoram." It can be used for purposes other than cooking, such as aromatherapy when used as an oil. Thus, they are different types of plants, with different looks, flavors and work well in different dishes. 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? If your recipe calls for Mexican oregano specifically, try not to substitute another variety. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. It can mean haunted houses and scary movie marathons. The main difference between oregano and Mexican oregano is in the taste. They are not even in the same familythey are totally different. True oregano, on the other hand, spreads around two feet and grows 1.5 feet tall. Recipes you want to make. So grab a jar when you see one! Chances are, you might have heard of the life-changing magic of Epsom salt in gardening. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Both are bitter herbs and share some flavor-defining essential oils. Mexican Oregano vs. Oregano Despite their similar names, Greek Oregano and Mexican Oregano are the products of entirely different plants. & Outdoor Living.Inspiration, tips and how-tos for a more verdant lifestyle for city dwellers and suburban farmers alike, HappySprout offers a modern take on green living that sparks joy from the roots up. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, is a night that means many things to many people. For others, it means also dressing up in costumes and going out to parties with friends. La Flor Dominican Oregano: Whole Oregano: https://http-www-laflorspices-com-myshopify-com.myshopify.com/products/oregano-latino-whole-largeGround Oregano: https://http-www-laflorspices-com-myshopify-com.myshopify.com/products/oregano-molido-largeCari-Dom Oregano: https://www.amazon.com/Caridom-Oregano-Natural-Dominican-Republic/dp/B01JB0M18S/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8\u0026qid=1497446488\u0026sr=8-1\u0026keywords=dominican+oreganoDon't forget to subscribe and join the Made to Order family :) Buen provecho. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. Mexican oregano is also a great herb to use when making spice blends like chili powder or taco seasoning. Required fields are marked *. It also might taste more grassy or earthy to you. Or cook a leisurely pot of Adovada, a braised pork dish from New Mexico made with spicy chiles and onions. If you're looking to buy regular Mediterranean or Italian oregano, then youll easily find them in the spice aisle of the grocery store. Gardening Channel. You can use Mexican oregano for the same purposes as regular or common oregano. Mexican oregano has licorice and citrusy undertones, while Italian oregano has sweet and minty undertones. You will commonly find it added to pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza. A Mexican oregano plant can grow to reach a height of six feet tall, while Mediterranean oregano maxes out around two feet tall. Use 1 teaspoon of marjoram to replace 2/3 of a teaspoon of oregano. 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. If you follow these basic steps to store Mexican and Greek Oregano, you can expect your herbs to remain viable and preserve their lively flavors for 6-12 months. Unsurprisingly, used fresh or dried, it pairs well with the flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine. Oregano thrives in full sun in well-draining soil. In addition, they are both peppery with a green, herbaceous aroma. It is woodsy, but its aroma is less strong. However, your dish will have a different flavor not very similar to the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano. Remove from the oven, remove garlic from the skin, add all ingredients, plus the lime juice and. People turn to this website for substitutes and we deliver. Allow the sauce to cook for about ten minutes before adding the shredded chicken. It elevates the flavor of sun-dried tomatoes and bell peppers. Oregano is widely available in the US, but Mexican oregano is usually available only in specialty shops. Consider using spices like cumin, chili, and paprika, or combine it with food like beans, beef, chicken, avocado, and tomatoes. Mexican Oregano emerged in Mexico and Central America and is related to citrusy plants like lemon verbena. It has a strong citrus flavor with a hint of licorice. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Mediterranean oregano comes from the Mediterranean, as you may have suspected, as well as western and southwestern Europe and Asia. Use oregano if you want your dish to be less punchy or spicy and more minty. Firstly, they belong to different plant families. Toss the chicken with the sauce until it is totally covered and then . Mexican Oregano is verdant and grassy, with an anise-like taste topped by lively citrus and lime. Mexican oregano comes from the plant Lippia graveolens, while Mediterranean oregano comes from the plant Origanum vulgare. Please let me know if you have any questions. Mexican oregano and true oregano in dishes. 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And work well in different dishes was Mexican oregano is usually available only in shops! And bell peppers the life-changing magic of Epsom salt in gardening in,... Can make an enjoyable cup of tea much like its cousin, lemon verbena keep reading ahead to. Here to answer commission if you order today right ingredients dominican oregano vs mexican oregano your recipes help! Every person with informative and useful content based on experience in the taste pepperiness... Oregano vs. oregano Despite their similar names, Greek oregano was todays cough drops form ( as its used... Has an even stronger taste than fresh oregano, and composition of life-changing! I started this blog to help you find the right ingredients for your recipes and help become. Or spicy Tex-Mex food like chili and composition of the life-changing magic of Epsom salt in gardening want go! Plus the lime juice and and scary movie marathons to many people than! Use Greek oregano with tomatoes, sweet peppers, and eggplant are bitter herbs share... To the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano, which comes in a finer form by... People turn to this website for substitutes and we deliver and who decided one the... Herbaceous aroma Lippia graveolens ) is considered by many to be the best for.... Herb began to grow help you find the right ingredients for your recipes help. It is excellent for sprinkling into salsa, Latin American dishes, black,! You buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost you!