There are over 40 types of oregano. A Mexican oregano plant can grow to reach a height of six feet tall, while Mediterranean oregano maxes out around two feet tall. $11.99. Because of the sturdy nature of these herbs, their tastes will not fade during cooking, as can happen with delicate, leafy herbs. The genetic makeups of the two are also different. Youll notice the similarity, as Mexican oregano has citrus undertones that blend with its earthy flavor. Good-quality oregano may be strong enough almost to numb the tongue, but cultivars adapted to colder climates . Not only are they derived from unrelated plants, but they're suitable for very different global cuisines. 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. You can substitute oregano for Mexican oregano if you dont have any other herb to use. Mexican Oregano vs Oregano. While there are many similarities between the two types of oregano, there are also some key differences that set them apart. It is made from leaves that have are crunchy texture and small flower buds. The main difference between oregano and Mexican oregano is in the taste. You'll be surprised at just how tasty it leaves your food. Your email address will not be published. Mexican oregano, on the other hand, is from a different plant family altogether, Verbenaceae. It has a stronger and slightly different flavor than the regular oregano. Whichever kind you choose, be sure to store it in a cool, dry, dark place to preserve its flavor. Add it to dry rubs for roasted or smoked meat as well as to soups and stews that require long cooking times. Cilantro. It has coarse oval leaves and white flowers and can be found both in fresh and dry form. Dominican Oregano is different than regular oregano and it's also known. Make sure to sprinkle some on your pizza because oregano is the great pizza herb. Mediterranean oregano is often a staple in grocery stores, but Mexican oregano may be harder to find. 4 Good Mexican Oregano Substitutes. Dominican Oregano differs in smell and taste than regular oregano but it's delicious either way! 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. 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. 04-13 Mar. Whether youre making a classic Italian pasta sauce or a spicy Mexican salsa, these two herbs can add depth, complexity, and flavor to your dishes. Mediterranean oregano is native to the Mediterranean and it is commonly found in France, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and Israel. Mexican oregano is a different type of oregano, with a different flavor and look,native to Mexico, Southwest America, and Central America. If youre trying to differentiate between the two plants, Mexican oregano comes from a larger plant and has leaves with more jagged edges. Mexican oreganos flavor profile includes mint and citrus notes as well as hints of licorice and a little earthiness. Allow the sauce to cook for about ten minutes before adding the shredded chicken. The result is a potent and distinctive profile that can easily dominate the other aromas and tastes in your recipe if youre not careful. True oregano, on the other hand, spreads around two feet and grows 1.5 feet tall. A most excellent feature of dried or ground oregano, whether common or Mexican oregano, is that they keep for a long time. Native to Mexico, it also grows in Central and South America and is sometimes referred to as Puerto Rican oregano. Well, if you're looking for that authentic Mexican flavor, you'll want to use Mexican oregano. Its great on muttons, lambs, and just about any barbecues and kebabs. However, Greek Oregano originated along the sunny shores of the Mediterranean and is part of the mint family. 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. Mexican oregano and oregano are often confused because of their similar names. Mediterranean oregano has a slightly sweet taste, with bitter or peppery secondary notes. So if you do decide to substitute Mexican oregano for Mediterranean oregano, use a little less than whats called for. However, you can find them all over the world. Although these two spices have the same name, they have distinct differences that make them unique. You can buy oregano fresh or dried, but you can only buy dried Mexican oregano in the US. Instead of true oregano, marjoram and lemon verbena will give you more of the citrus note you may be looking for. Mexican oregano is a drought tolerant plant thats native to the dry climates of Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern portion of the United States. 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. What is oregano? $798 ($7.98/Ounce) FREE delivery Fri, Feb 17 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Dominican Oregano is super delicious and it's a spice that I use all the time in my cooking. It can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or root division, so sourcing it isnt difficult. Hello, I am Saurabh and I love cooking. Dominican Oregano vs. 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. Oregano vs Mexican Oregano Whats the Difference. However, you're better to replace Mexican oregano with marjoram while Italian oregano could be replaced with marjoram, basil, or thyme. Lather and drop them in your homemade casseroles and more. Each plant comes from completely different families which explains why their flavor is different. They are also used in different cuisines. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Mexican oregano can be also used fresh but when it is dried it has a stronger flavor. Marjoram is lemony and a bit sweeter. Rather than trying to decide a winner, it's better to keep each option at home and alternate depending on the cuisine. In my kitchen, Mexican oregano shows up in a lot of recipes. Oregano is pungent, earthy, minty, and slightly bitter. Oregano is best suited for dishes from the Mediterranean region that use tomatoes heavily and that contain other strong herbs and seasonings. Matthew Eads is a former US Marine, self-taught gourmet griller, andcookbook author. Heres what you need to know to keep each thriving throughout the growing season. Or cook a leisurely pot of Adovada, a braised pork dish from New Mexico made with spicy chiles and onions. Although different in flavor, Mexican oregano and oregano share relatively similar care requirements. Using it in place of oregano means that it wont necessarily ruin the meal but you wont get the classic oregano flavor either. Mexican oregano is also a great herb to use when making spice blends like chili powder or taco seasoning. Mexican oregano is harvested from the Lippa graveolens plant and gets its citrus notes from the plant as well. He writes for various cooking blogs and has a passion for making fine dining recipes accessible to the at-home cook. Use 1 teaspoon of marjoram to replace 2/3 of a teaspoon of oregano. Orders Placed M-F by 3:30pm ET Ship Same Day!1-888-762-8642. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. 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. Ad Choices. The edible foliage is strongly aromatic, and deer tend to avoid it. Italian oregano, or any oregano from the Mediterranean, is likely to be the most popular choice because of its subtle taste. This Mexican herb is strong and pungent and, like its Greek counterpart, delivers bitter and peppery flavors. Well, thats not really an accurate way of putting it. Martyris, N. (2015, May 9). So whats the real difference between oregano and Mexican oregano? 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. Required fields are marked *. In fact, if you crush dried oregano even further you will find that it releases even more flavor. The warm, snappy flavors of Greek Oregano go well with the bright flavors of Mediterranean food, adding herbaceousness to salty fish and feta. Mexican oregano is harvested from a flowering plant that is highly drought tolerant. You'll also find Lemon Verbena in this family, so as you would expect Mexican Oregano has similar citrus-like undertones. Mexican Oregano, Lippia graveolens, is a relative newcomer to US palates. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. In addition, they are both peppery with a green, herbaceous aroma. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. But caution is given to the pregnant, diabetic, and those who are scheduled for surgery. Common oregano (sometimes called Greek oregano) is widely available in fresh and dried form. 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. The main difference between oregano and Mexican oregano is in the taste. However, we should point out that Mexican oregano is more complementary to Mexican cuisine since it has a stronger and spicier flavor. Thymol is a chemical compound found in other herbs such as marjoram, wild bergamot, and thyme. For example, a sweet tomato sauce benefits from a sprinkle of regular oregano, but if you add the Mexican version, it will dominate the dish. It tastes of hay and smells of camphor. In your garden, Mexican oregano will spread six feet and shoot up six feet in height, so it appreciates space to grow. Oregano is a basic ingredient in many Italian, Turkish, Greek, Aregentine, and Mexican cuisine. One of the most notable differences is in their flavor profiles. Or mix some fresh, dried, or ground oregano in olive oil and lemon. Sopita/Chicken Bouillon Powder: https://amzn.to/2x9lwJeSopita/Chicken Bouillon Cubes 112ct: https://amzn.to/2x7QzFtSopita/Bouillon Cube 8ct: https://amzn.to/2OemLOIDominican Oregano: https://amzn.to/2x9lQI6Mortar \u0026 Pestle (Pilon): https://amzn.to/2NFEfXgCaldero 7.5 qt: https://amzn.to/2NBTBfdCaldero 29.6qt: https://amzn.to/2xadKilInstant Pot Pressure Cooker: https://amzn.to/2xdvNnBNinja Food Processor \u0026 Blender: https://amzn.to/2Nb3xgf*Please note that some of these links may be affiliate linksFollow me on social media! Is oregano the same as Mexican oregano? Building on a lifelong passion for cooking and the memories of his dads less-than-stellar BBQ, Matthew has learned the ways of the grill through reading, practical application, and a lot of trial and error. As promised, here are some links on where you can find Dominican Oregano online. Usually ships within 4 to 5 days. Marjoram will also work as a substitute for Mediterranean oregano, or you can use thyme, basil, or sage. Note that even if they have a slightly similar flavor, they dont taste the same. The differences between Mexican oregano and oregano are visible at first sight when you have them side by side. Mexican oregano is harvested from the Lippa graveolens plant and gets its citrus notes from the plant as well. You will commonly find it added to pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza. Retrieved September 27, 2022. So grab a jar when you see one! Thanks for joining me on the journey to Own the Grill. Mexican oregano is very different. Try dried marjoram (also from the origanum family, but similar to Mexican oregano in its citrusy, floral ways) or dried verbena. $28.99. However, due to its mild and delicate flavor, you should add it at the end of the cooking in bigger amounts. Discard your oregano if it's faded in color or . Oreganos robust flavor profile allows it to work like bay leaves and stand up to extensive braising. If you need to replace Mexican oregano, try marjoram instead of Mediterranean oregano. Were committed to providing every person with informative and useful content based on experience in the kitchen. Your email address will not be published. The oregano used in Mediterranean cuisine, and what I would call true oregano, is part of the mint family and is closely related to marjoram, whereas Mexican oregano is actually part of the verbena family. I often use my spice grinder with Mexican oregano when I use it in things like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc. Certified Piedmontese Review Healthy Beef Delivered to Your Doorstep. Low Sodium, No Sugar, No-MSG, Non-GMO, No Preservatives, No Artificial Coloring, No Artificial Flavors, 2.9oz, Pack of 1 (Adobo) 2. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. Research suggests it bears anti-inflammatory effects. Youll find Mediterranean oregano used in dishes like pizza or pasta, while Mexican oregano works better in chili or adobo. Oregano is also very healthy to take as a tea, especially when youre down with a cough, cold, or stomach ailment. Mediterranean oregano has a slightly sweet taste, with bitter or peppery secondary notes. You can usually find Mexican oregano in dry form (as its often used) at Latin markets. 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. 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. Its flavor makes a big difference in tacos, burritos, and meaty dishes. Greek oregano has an earthy, savory, and spicy flavor. (Complete Guide). After all, one spice is unlikely to ruin a dish, especially if you dont use a heavy hand. When using Mexican oregano, its important to choose high-quality, fresh herbs. A closer look may help you distinguish details between these herbs. 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. Strongly aromatic, and meaty dishes different global cuisines many similarities between the two also! T de pais, or stomach ailment diabetic, and slightly different flavor than the regular.. 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