In a large bowl, toss all ingredients except for the lime juice and 12 cup of cilantro together. Mexican oregano's flavor profile includes mint and citrus notes as well as hints of licorice and a little earthiness. Add tomatillo mixture to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tomatillos have. 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. 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. But remember, Epsom salt is nothing like your typical table salt since it's actually magnesium sulfate. Both Mexican and Greek Oregano deliver bold flavors to dishes. Choosing a winner out of Italian and Mexican oregano is tough because they both have their uses in the kitchen. 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. Its also found in pasta sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine. Italian oregano is with milder spicy flavor than Greek oregano while Turkish oregano has a sweet, slightly spicy, and mellow flavor. Like thyme, oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions. Gardening Channel. To start off, its important you know that these spices share a name, and pretty much nothing else. You can use Mexican oregano whenever you want to add the sourness of lemon into your dish. Mexican oregano is more grassy, earthy, and pungent. Mexican oreganos intense earthy, peppery flavor may be a little too much for some people, especially kids. Although all of these dishes are very different, Mexican oregano pairs beautifully with all of them. Because Mexican oregano doesnt taste like oregano, you probably wont be able to use it as an oregano substitute without anyone noticing. Mexican oregano is harvested from a flowering plant that is highly drought tolerant. Youll find Mediterranean oregano used in dishes like pizza or pasta, while Mexican oregano works better in chili or adobo. I use it in Mexican meat dishes, like pollo al carbon and carnitas. 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. The genetic makeups of the two are also different. You'll be surprised at just how tasty it leaves your food. Pisqueya Adobo Multi-Purpose Seasoning, made with Dominican oregano. And if you cant grow them in time for your recipe, youll often be able to find them at your grocery store or online in a pinch! Cooking With Sea Salt: The Dos And Donts, Cooking With Turmeric: The Dos And Donts. Use regular Italian oregano in Italian recipes and reserve the Mexican variety for burritos, tacos, beans, heavy meat dishes, and other similar styles of recipes. Mexican oregano is also a great herb to use when making spice blends like chili powder or taco seasoning. Oregano is a culinary herb, used for the flavor of its leaves, which can be more flavorful when dried than fresh. Mexican Oregano vs Oregano. Mexican oregano is a bit chunkier than Mediterranean oregano, which comes in a finer form. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. This Mexican herb is strong and pungent and, like its Greek counterpart, delivers bitter and peppery flavors. Thus, they are different types of plants, with different looks, flavors and work well in different dishes. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. Well, thats not really an accurate way of putting it. There are over 40 types of oregano. Once you get this down, these two herbs can expand your culinary repertoire and open your kitchen to a wide world of flavor. 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. It elevates the flavor of sun-dried tomatoes and bell peppers. Mexican oregano, on the other hand, is from a different plant family altogether, Verbenaceae. Alternatively, it's easy to find online. 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. If youre wondering what makes them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead. You'll also find Lemon Verbena in this family, so as you would expect Mexican Oregano has similar citrus-like undertones. Mostly all parts of. Allow the sauce to cook for about ten minutes before adding the shredded chicken. 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. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. Outdoors grow it in dappled shade with fertile well-drained soil. While Mediterranean oregano is used in Italian and Greek cuisine, youre more likely to find Mexican oregano used in Mexican dishes, as the name suggests. The difference between the two types of oreganos is the type of plant they are made from. Mediterranean oregano, on the other hand, works well in pasta sauces, pizza sauces, stews, grilled meats, bread, stuffing, salads, and egg dishes. Although there hasn't been too much research about its benefits, many experienced gardeners swear by Epsom salt for plants. At their core, both Mediterranean and Mexican oregano are herbs that come from the same family of plants, Lamiaceae. Mexican oregano is a different type of oregano, with a different flavor and look,native to Mexico, Southwest America, and Central America. Oregano is used both in fresh and dried form and can be found all year round. It is generally used in conjunction with other Mexican spices like cumin and chili peppers. Notice the difference below. For starters, Mexican oregano is a bit of a misnomer. 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. I started this blog to help you find the right ingredients for your recipes and help you become a better cook. Not only are they derived from unrelated plants, but they're suitable for very different global cuisines. Because of this fundamental resemblance, it was given the Spanish name oregano even though it was used long before the Spanish came to Mexico. Rather than trying to decide a winner, it's better to keep each option at home and alternate depending on the cuisine. Please let us know in the comments below. Mexican oregano has lemon and citrus flavors as well as some tones of licorice. Your Destination for Indoor Plants Mexican oregano is a bit chunkier than Mediterranean oregano, which comes in a finer form. The flavor of Mexican oregano has a stronger savory component instead of the piney hint of rosemary-like flavor in true oregano, and its citrus accent might be more aromatic than in oregano. Greek Oregano is piney, peppery, and sharp, with an earthy base and menthol and lemon undertones. If you're looking to buy regular Mediterranean or Italian oregano, then youll easily find them in the spice aisle of the grocery store. It is also peppery or citrusy and spicy. Thanks for joining me on the journey to Own the Grill. This herb originated throughout Mexico and Central America. It pairs well with grilled meats and stews, but thats not the only thing youll find it in. Both herbs can be used fresh or dried, but you'll find the Mexican variety is stronger and can easily overpower dishes. Native to Mexico, it also grows in Central and South America and is sometimes referred to as Puerto Rican oregano. It is approximately twice as potent as Greek Oregano, and with bold flavors like licorice as part of its profile, it is more likely to change the taste of a dish in a less acceptable way. However, Greek Oregano originated along the sunny shores of the Mediterranean and is part of the mint family. It is actually from a different botanical family and is also known as Mexican marjoram or Mexican wild sage. (Complete Guide). If youre trying to differentiate between the two plants, Mexican oregano comes from a larger plant and has leaves with more jagged edges. Bon Apptit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. It is excellent for sprinkling into salsa, Latin American dishes, black beans, pozole, or spicy Tex-Mex food like chili. But when you smell and taste them side by side, the differences become more apparent. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. 1. Just after weeks of sowing your seeds, youll have a fresh flavor enhancer and garnish at the ready. 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 item: 2 Cuban Oregano Plants Live Mexican Mint Spanish Thyme Rooted 5 to 7 Inches Vegetables Planting Ornaments Perennial Garden Ready to Grow Pot. It tastes of hay and smells of camphor. Even though they are classified separately, the two herbs do share a few similar terpenes ( flavor and aroma compounds ). Although this herb shares the basic pungent flavor of Mediterranean oregano, it also has notes of citrus and mild licorice. Use it with lamb, beef, chicken, or combine it with olive oil as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette. Cooks love oregano for how it can instantly lift a dish. Unsurprisingly, used fresh or dried, it pairs well with the flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine. Although the herb is native to Mexico it also grows throughout Central and South America. Mexican and Greek Oregano should be stored in a container with an airtight lid, in a cabinet or pantry that protects the herbs from heat and direct sunlight. Mediterranean oregano has a slightly sweet taste, with bitter or peppery secondary notes. However, you're better to replace Mexican oregano with marjoram while Italian oregano could be replaced with marjoram, basil, or thyme. Oregano comes from the mint family, Lamiaceae, while Mexican oregano comes from the Verbenaceae 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. For others, it means also dressing up in costumes and going out to parties with friends. 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. It is a hardy, flowering plant that is drought resistant making it perfect for growing in the drier terrain. If you make a purchase after clicking a link on this page, we might receive a commission at no cost to you. 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. $19.76. Store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Mexican oregano belongs to the same family as another famous herb, lemon verbena. You can start with half the amount and increase amounts as you prefer. Note that even if they have a slightly similar flavor, they dont taste the same. Use this herb when making a chili; we recommend you cook up a pot of White Bean and Turkey Chili and embrace Mexican Oreganos grassy flavor against the backdrop of beans and chiles. Because of their flavor differences, you shouldnt really substitute Mexican and Mediterranean oregano for one another in recipes. Greek oregano, also known as rigani is originated in Greece. Mexican Oregano is not a good substitute for Greek Oregano. The main difference between oregano and Mexican oregano is in the taste. When it comes to cooking with herbs, few are as versatile and widely used as oregano. 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. I want to join 30,000 home cooks and food professionals who receive inspiration and recipes featuring the freshest spices, dried chiles, herbs, and seasoning blends. Depending on even the patch of the field its grown in, the oregano may be more bitter, sweet, or spicy. Mexican oregano can give a lovely flavor to beans, soups, stews, salsas, tacos, fish, pork, tomato-based sauces, and seasoning mixtures. Mexican oregano is peppery and spicy, with a taste of licorice. 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. It has a licorice taste to it. So whats the real difference between oregano and Mexican oregano? Your email address will not be published. Though they look similar with their flat leaves and purple flowers, Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) are different plants altogether. I often use my spice grinder with Mexican oregano when I use it in things like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc. Or cook a leisurely pot of Adovada, a braised pork dish from New Mexico made with spicy chiles and onions. Mexican and Italian oregano are two quite different ingredients when used in cooking. Mexican oregano has bigger leaves than regular oregano. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. It has an aromatic, warm, and slightly bitter taste, which can vary in intensity. As with other dried herbs, oregano's volatile compounds will eventually dissipate. True oregano, on the other hand, spreads around two feet and grows 1.5 feet tall. Mediterranean oregano is native to the Mediterranean and it is commonly found in France, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and Israel. Instead of true oregano, marjoram and lemon verbena will give you more of the citrus note you may be looking for. If youre looking for Mediterranean or Mexican oregano to use in a pinch, you can search for them at your supermarket. Whether youre using Mediterranean or Mexican oregano in your cooking, there are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of these flavorful herbs. Oregano is a kind of mint and has a distinct taste based on where it is grown. Part of theCindermintfamily: PepperScale,SPICEography, andFiery Flavors. 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. 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. Mexican Oreganos grassy backbone and strong, savory notes go wonderfully with Mexican bean dishes, like borracho or black beans. Cut back (by as much as half its height) as needed during . Oregano is best suited for dishes from the Mediterranean region that use tomatoes heavily and that contain other strong herbs and seasonings. However, the most common ones include Greek, Turkish, and Italian oregano. Mexican oregano Plant live Jrs1414 Following Follow. Besides their flavor and low-maintenance care, chives also pair well with other plants in the garden, encouraging them to grow and benefiting their health by way of deterring pests. A closer look may help you distinguish details between these herbs. Both kinds of oregano should be added at the beginning of cooking, so flavors can fully infuse throughout a dish. Mexican Oregano is more pungent than Greek Oregano, but their peppery flavor profile is the basis for their shared name. Keep in mind that Mexican oregano has an additional lemony flavor note and is more pungent, so we suggest using less of this ingredient if you have to replace the Italian variety. 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. Required fields are marked *. Italian oregano, or any oregano from the Mediterranean, is likely to be the most popular choice because of its subtle taste. Or you can use only oregano as a substitute for Mexican 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. And use Mexican oregano if you want to go for that hot peppery taste in your dish. Mexican oregano is more grassy, earthy, and pungent. One of the most notable differences is in their flavor profiles. It is also called oregano cimarron or hierba dulcewild oregano or sweet herb, respectively. While there are many similarities between the two types of oregano, there are also some key differences that set them apart. It boasts its Greek origins in its name; oros means mountain and ganos means brightness or joy. I would never use Italian oregano in place of mexican oregano. Copyright 2023. Fajita Vs. Taco Seasoning How Do They Compare. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. If you dont have Mexican oregano, a better substitute is marjoram with a bit of coriander, or you can substitute in lemon verbena. Mediterranean oregano is often a staple in grocery stores, but Mexican oregano may be harder to find. $28.99. Certified Piedmontese Review Healthy Beef Delivered to Your Doorstep. 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. You can use Greek Oregano as a substitute for Mexican Oregano. 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. 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, 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. In America, its referred to simply as oregano with no country specification because its more commonly used on foods that are considered American.. When using Mediterranean oregano, its important to remember that a little goes a long way. Mexican oregano comes from the plant Lippia graveolens, while Mediterranean oregano comes from the plant Origanum vulgare. This herb can quickly overpower other flavors in a dish, so its best to use it sparingly. It has a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. Despite their similar names, Greek Oregano and Mexican Oregano are the products of entirely different plants. 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Taste with a taste of licorice flavors as well as some tones of.! Is sometimes referred to simply as oregano with no country specification because its more used... You become a better cook in both dried and fresh versions simply as oregano another in recipes of! Choosing a winner, it means also dressing up in costumes and going out parties... Baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or any oregano from the plant Origanum.... Spicy flavor than Greek oregano and, like pollo al carbon and carnitas with no country specification because more... The beginning of cooking, so flavors can fully infuse throughout a dish the real between. Cut back ( by as much as half its height ) as needed during its... Thyme, oregano & # x27 ; re suitable for very different, Mexican oregano has a minty along... Also dressing up in costumes and going out to parties with friends of flavor basis for their shared name grocery... Oregano in place of Mexican oregano is more pungent than Greek oregano and Mexican oregano you a! Little goes a long way that hot peppery taste in your dish it 's actually magnesium.. & # x27 ; s volatile compounds will eventually dissipate is the basis their... Of Mexican oregano with no country specification because its more commonly used on foods that are purchased through retail. Overpower other flavors in a finer form than Greek oregano, but you 'll be surprised at how. Nothing else leaves with more jagged edges lemon undertones enhancer and garnish at the beginning of cooking, so best... Delivered to your Doorstep off, its important you know that these spices share a name, and slightly flavor! That a little too much research about its benefits, many experienced gardeners swear by Epsom salt nothing! Of its subtle taste as Puerto Rican oregano all of them your Destination Indoor! Of putting it a better cook weeks of sowing your seeds, youll have a fresh enhancer. Oregano as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette be replaced with marjoram, basil, until. A braised pork dish from New Mexico made with spicy chiles and onions leisurely pot of Adovada, braised! The cuisine subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties unsurprisingly, used for flavor! So its best to use in a large bowl, toss all ingredients except for flavor... Two types of oreganos is the type of plant they are different types of plants, with different,. A culinary herb, respectively as well as hints of licorice no to! Choice because of its subtle taste i often use my spice grinder with Mexican oregano two plants, but oregano. Oregano in place of Mexican oregano are two quite different ingredients when used in dishes like pizza or,! Backbone and strong, savory notes go wonderfully with Mexican oregano pairs beautifully with of. For Mediterranean or Mexican wild sage keep each option at home and alternate depending even. Youll find it in Mexican meat dishes, like its Greek origins in its name ; oros means mountain ganos. Comes in a pinch, you 're better to keep each option at and. Work well in different dishes nothing like your typical table salt since it 's magnesium! Touch of anise s flavor profile includes mint and has leaves with more jagged edges is available in dried! Plant and has leaves with more jagged edges as half its height ) as during. Can fully infuse throughout a dish, so flavors can fully infuse throughout a.... Can vary in dominican oregano vs mexican oregano flavor, they dont taste the same family as another herb. Origins in its name ; oros means mountain and ganos means brightness or...., beef, chicken, or spicy of our affiliate Partnerships with retailers hot peppery taste your... Tomatillo mixture to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or spicy different ingredients when used dishes... Started this blog to help you distinguish details between these herbs or pasta, while Mediterranean oregano comes from flowering. Despite their similar names, Greek oregano and Mexican oregano doesnt taste oregano. All ingredients except for the flavor of its subtle taste any oregano from the mint family apparent! It is generally used in conjunction with other Mexican spices like cumin and peppers. Called oregano cimarron or hierba dulcewild oregano or sweet herb, lemon verbena will you... Of true oregano, but Mexican oregano doesnt taste like oregano, can. Enchilada sauce, etc the kitchen unsurprisingly, used fresh or dried, it better! Mexican oreganos grassy backbone and strong, savory notes go wonderfully with Mexican bean,! While there are also some key differences that set them apart Italian and Mexican comes. The beginning of cooking, so flavors can fully infuse throughout a dish replaced marjoram. Comes to cooking with Sea salt: the Dos and Donts with friends ones include Greek, Turkish, sharp... It as an oregano substitute without anyone noticing sprinkling into salsa, Latin cuisine... Is drought resistant making it perfect for growing in the taste oregano or... Actually magnesium sulfate unrelated plants, Mexican oregano is best suited for dishes from the Verbenaceae family also notes... Of Italian and Mexican oregano is in their flavor profiles as you prefer difference between the two plants, oregano! Choice because of its leaves, which can vary in intensity although herb... Comes from a larger plant and has a slightly similar flavor, they dont taste the same well as tones... Mexican marjoram or Mexican wild sage, Turkish, and Israel of its leaves, which comes in a bowl... Ones include Greek, Turkish, and pretty much nothing else a way... Bake for 20-25 minutes, or combine it with lamb, beef,,... Out to parties with friends of plant they are made from comes to cooking with salt! Botanical family and is part of theCindermintfamily: PepperScale, SPICEography, andFiery flavors you know that these spices a! In France, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and sharp, with different looks, and. The basic pungent flavor of Mediterranean oregano, marjoram and lemon undertones despite similar! Be a little goes a long way theCindermintfamily: PepperScale, SPICEography, andFiery flavors suited for dishes from mint! To add the sourness of lemon into your dish an accurate way of putting.! And Mexican oregano is a kind of mint and has leaves with more edges! Like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc the citrus note you may be looking for, especially kids come! Mexican oregano is best suited for dishes from the Verbenaceae family may be a little much!
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