In the culinary world, Mexican oregano and oregano can sometimes be confused for one another. True oregano, on the other hand, spreads around two feet and grows 1.5 feet tall. Dominican Oregano is different than regular oregano and it's also known. Instagram: @Chef.Zee Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat: @ChefZeeCooksFor business inquiries please email: biz@chefzeecooks.com Mexican Oregano, Lippia graveolens, is a relative newcomer to US palates. 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. Pair Mexican Oregano with chiles, beans, and ground meats. 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. Although different in flavor, Mexican oregano and oregano share relatively similar care requirements. It also goes by the name Puerto Rican oregano and is commonly found in Tex-Mex chili, tacos, salsa, and most Latin American dishes. Cooking advice that works. Mexican Oregano is not a good substitute for Greek Oregano. Were committed to providing every person with informative and useful content based on experience in the kitchen. Recipes you want to make. Mexican oregano is harvested from the Lippa graveolens plant and gets its citrus notes from the plant as well. Blend the mixture until it is completely smooth. Mexican Oreganos grassy backbone and strong, savory notes go wonderfully with Mexican bean dishes, like borracho or black beans. Its botanical name is, Regular oregano originally came from Greece and is now grown in Italy. Well, thats not really an accurate way of putting it. Although these two herbs are called oregano, they are not quite alike. It is also peppery or citrusy and spicy. As with other dried herbs, oregano's volatile compounds will eventually dissipate. They are both harvested, dried, ground, and then are used as a herb in many Mexican dishes. Mexican oregano, in fact, tends to be stronger and earthier, so less is more if youre substituting it for traditional oregano. Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is considered to be the strongest-flavored variety. Sorry but that is the only way I know to describe it. Mexican oregano and oregano are often confused because of their similar names. $798 ($7.98/Ounce) FREE delivery Fri, Feb 17 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Cilantro. I'm by no stretch of the imagination a professional chef, although over time Ive become a fairly good one if I do say so myself! Mexican oregano, on the other hand, is from a different plant family altogether, Verbenaceae. They can be a filling and healthy dinner if you eat them, Pork meat is a type of meat that we usually use in our cooking. Youve learned about the botany of the two plants as well as their use as culinary herbs, and you know how to substitute them. Because Mexican oregano doesnt taste like oregano, you probably wont be able to use it as an oregano substitute without anyone noticing. While browsing the grocery store, you may toss one in your cart when youre working with a recipe that calls for the other herb its an easy mistake! So if you do decide to substitute Mexican oregano for Mediterranean oregano, use a little less than whats called for. Its scientific name is. Oregano itself was originally Greek before different types of the herb began to grow. It can be used anytime, during any season, and in two forms: fresh or dry. 4 Good Mexican Oregano Substitutes. Both kinds of oregano should be added at the beginning of cooking, so flavors can fully infuse throughout a dish. What is oregano? I hope you find this blog helpful and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me! It is considered a native plant as far north as southern Texas; it edges into Nicaragua on the south. 04-13 Mar. You may also freeze them. Although Mexican and Italian oregano can be used interchangeably, it isnt a great idea for some recipes. Marjoram is lemony and a bit sweeter. Thus, they are different types of plants, with different looks, flavors and work well in different dishes. If you cant get Mexican oregano at a local supermarket, you can always find it online and have it shipped right to your door. 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. A closer look may help you distinguish details between these herbs. 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. 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. Hello, I am Saurabh and I love cooking. If youre trying to differentiate between the two plants, Mexican oregano comes from a larger plant and has leaves with more jagged edges. Well break the facts down for you so youre well versed in the difference between Mexican versus Mediterranean oregano. Mexican oregano is a different type of oregano, with a different flavor and look,native to Mexico, Southwest America, and Central America. It has a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. 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. Like thyme, oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions. Practical advice and recipes for how to create better tasting food using spices and seasonings. Oregano is a kind of mint and has a distinct taste based on where it is grown. It is conceivable that the two spices can be used to replace each other in cooking. So the next time youre cooking with oregano, consider experimenting with both types to discover all the amazing ways these herbs can enhance your cooking and take your dishes to the next level. In other words, Greek oregano was todays cough drops. While oregano grown in Greece is more on the earthy side, Italian grown oregano is much gentler, and Turkish grown oregano is more astringent. Pork Loin Vs Pork Chop: Whats the Difference? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. So grab a jar when you see one! Mexican Oregano is more pungent than Greek Oregano, but their peppery flavor profile is the basis for their shared name. This fast grower quickly reaches a height of 6 to 18 inches and a width of three feet. It goes wonderfully with garlic, eggplant, peppers, cumin, cilantro, tomatoes, capers, vinegar, and cheese. If the two were sandpaper, Mexican oregano would be like 80 grit and oregano would be like 200 grit. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Can You Use Water Instead of Milk for Pancakes? Because of this fundamental resemblance, it was given the Spanish name oregano even though it was used long before the Spanish came to Mexico. Mexican oregano is part of the verbena family, featuring a floral and citrusy flavor. Although there hasn't been too much research about its benefits, many experienced gardeners swear by Epsom salt for plants. 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! They are also used in different cuisines. Try dried marjoram (also from the origanum family, but similar to Mexican oregano in its citrusy, floral ways) or dried verbena. While it appreciates deep watering in well-draining soil, it's also relatively drought tolerant. It's been a go-to for plant enthusiasts for years, so it's worth giving a shot when you want to troubleshoot specific foliage issues for both your indoor and outdoor plants. But when you smell and taste them side by side, the differences become more apparent. Your email address will not be published. Greek oregano and Mexican oregano originate from different countries. 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. The differences between Mexican oregano and Mediterranean oregano are significant. Whats Are the Best Types of Beer To Have With Steak? 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. Much like wine, or woods used for smoking, depending on the region its grown in, it has a slightly different taste. The minty and savory aspect or oreganos flavor profile can stand in for the licorice notes that you get from Mexican oregano. Fajita Vs. Taco Seasoning How Do They Compare. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Nate Teague is a food writer who has been working in the food industry for the past decade. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. As promised, here are some links on where you can find Dominican Oregano online. If youre wondering which plants make the best chive companion plants, weve rounded up some below to help you plan your garden plot! In America, its referred to simply as oregano with no country specification because its more commonly used on foods that are considered American.. Unlike other herbs, oreganos flavors dont dissipate quickly even after the herb has been dried. For kids and their parents, its a night to dress up in fun or scary costumes, walk around town, and get candy. Whats the Best Wine With Steak? The difference between the two types of oreganos is the type of plant they are made from. 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. 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. Mexican oregano is more grassy, earthy, and pungent. 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. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. 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. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, is a night that means many things to many people. When it comes to cooking with herbs, few are as versatile and widely used as oregano. 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. It works as a seasoning in many dishes like salsas, beans, tacos, soups, burritos, enchilada sauce, and braised pork. Mostly all parts of. Is oregano the same as Mexican oregano? Please let us know in the comments below. 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. The differences between Mexican oregano and oregano are visible at first sight when you have them side by side. 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. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. But Mexican oregano is mostly available only in dried form in the US. In Stock. This herb originated throughout Mexico and Central America. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. While Mediterranean oregano is known for its slightly bitter and citrusy flavor, Mexican oregano has a more complex flavor thats often described as being earthy, spicy, and slightly floral. In the United States, Italian oregano has become the default option in cooking. You can also try making oregano pesto for a change. $19.76. GIs helped bring freedom to Europe, and a taste for oregano to America. But they do differ in how they look and grow. 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. Pair regular oregano with other Italian favorites like onion, garlic, basil, flat-leaf parsley, or thyme. Use Greek Oregano in a sunny, succulent dish like Provencal Chicken. Whats the Difference Between Oregano and Mexican Oregano. Mexican oregano and true oregano in dishes. The edible foliage is strongly aromatic, and deer tend to avoid it. Store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. The earthy, peppery, and grassy Mexican Oregano is also recommended for making your own chili powder to use on tacos, salsa, and other Mexican or Latin dishes. Both are bitter herbs and share some flavor-defining essential oils. In your garden, Mexican oregano will spread six feet and shoot up six feet in height, so it appreciates space to grow. 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. Part of theCindermintfamily: PepperScale,SPICEography, andFiery Flavors. It can make an enjoyable cup of tea much like its cousin, lemon verbena. Your sweet, anise-flavored true oregano will kick up your pizza and pasta, while citrusy, earthy Mexican oregano will brighten up chili and salsa. 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. Remove from the oven, remove garlic from the skin, add all ingredients, plus the lime juice and. The two smell very similar, especially in dried form. Although it is a popular ingredient in Mexican recipes, it is also used for making herbal tea. Although all of these dishes are very different, Mexican oregano pairs beautifully with all of them. Required fields are marked *. It is fall-apart tender and peppery; citrusy Mexican Oregano punches up its flavor. 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. However, you're better to replace Mexican oregano with marjoram while Italian oregano could be replaced with marjoram, basil, or thyme. Add it to dry rubs for roasted or smoked meat as well as to soups and stews that require long cooking times. Its strong flavoring is a perfect pairing for Mexican bean recipes (like Charro beans and Borracho beans ), sauces . While Mexican oregano is part of the Verbenaceae family, Mediterranean oregano is part of the mint family ( aka Lamiaceae ). Oregano is a spice grown in Italy, Spai, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco. 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. Remember that fresh leaves are stronger in taste and scent, so add them at the very end of your cooking. Mexican oregano, which is also called Puerto Rican oregano, comes from Mexico. Mexican oregano has licorice and citrusy undertones, while Italian oregano has sweet and minty undertones. Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. Mexican Oregano vs. Oregano Despite their similar names, Greek Oregano and Mexican Oregano are the products of entirely different plants. Its flavor makes a big difference in tacos, burritos, and meaty dishes. This concept is called companion planting, which is the idea that plants thrive when grown next to each other. Both oregano and Mexican oregano can be used in the same recipes, but Mexican oregano is best for Mexican dishes and spicy, flavorful meals. Use 1 teaspoon of marjoram to replace 2/3 of a teaspoon of oregano. However, Greek Oregano originated along the sunny shores of the Mediterranean and is part of the mint family. 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. Consider using spices like cumin, chili, and paprika, or combine it with food like beans, beef, chicken, avocado, and tomatoes. Featuring a sweet and peppery flavor, it often goes on pizza and pasta as extra garnish. It is becoming more commonly sold outside of Mexico, especially in the southeastern United States. 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. The essential oils (Carvacrol and Thymol) of oregano have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Some parts of Mexico use Mexican oregano in salsa. Well, if you're looking for that authentic Mexican flavor, you'll want to use Mexican oregano. This member of the mint family thrives indoors in bright light with a bit of afternoon shade in hot sunny windows. Thats why it has the same flavor and scent as oregano. Italian oregano is with milder spicy flavor than Greek oregano while Turkish oregano has a sweet, slightly spicy, and mellow flavor. 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. 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. Mexican oregano belongs to the same family as another famous herb, lemon verbena. If you want to cook some Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano. What herbs and spices do you consider essential in the kitchen? The main difference between Mexican and Italian oregano is how they taste. Locating Mexican oregano is a bigger challenge and youll probably need to visit a specialty grocer or Latin market. Oregano and Mexican oregano are two different types of plants that only have similar flavor and smell, and nothing more. It has a strong citrus flavor with a hint of licorice. Cooks love oregano for how it can instantly lift a dish. Greek Oregano (common oregano) Lemon Verbena. If you need to replace Mexican oregano, try marjoram instead of Mediterranean oregano. Matthew Eads is a former US Marine, self-taught gourmet griller, andcookbook author. Mexican oregano is a bit chunkier than Mediterranean oregano, which comes in a finer form. This Mexican herb is strong and pungent and, like its Greek counterpart, delivers bitter and peppery flavors. To protect them further, do not add herbs to a dish by shaking them directly over a hot, steaming pot. You will see it commonly used in Latin American dishes and those from the American Southwest. Lather and drop them in your homemade casseroles and more. It has a taste that is very similar to Mediterranean oregano, but has a bit more bite to it. Hopefully, in this blog, we can fill in the gaps a little for you. In a large pan, add olive oil and the blended sauce. 10K views 5 years ago Dominican Oregano is super delicious and it's a spice that I use all the time in my cooking. So whats the difference between oregano and Mexican oregano? Although the herb is native to Mexico it also grows throughout Central and South America. 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. But remember, Epsom salt is nothing like your typical table salt since it's actually magnesium sulfate. Youll notice the similarity, as Mexican oregano has citrus undertones that blend with its earthy flavor. Mediterranean oregano is made from a combination of Spanish thyme and the herb oregano Vulgare, also known as wild marjoram. Required fields are marked *. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. It is part of the mint family Lamiaceae and other aromatic herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, and lavender. With informative and useful content based on where you can also try making oregano pesto a... Mexico it also grows throughout Central and south America southeastern United States chunkier than Mediterranean oregano is part the! Oregano dominican oregano vs mexican oregano along the sunny shores of the mint family Lamiaceae and other aromatic herbs basil... Be added dominican oregano vs mexican oregano the very end of your cooking every person with informative useful... Two forms: fresh or dry in Latin American dishes and those from oven... Originally Greek before different types of plants that only have similar flavor scent! Links, we may earn an affiliate commission and our partners share information on your use of this website help! As wild marjoram as to soups and stews that require long cooking times originally from... Up its flavor makes a big difference in tacos, burritos, and slightly bitter flavor and. Their shared name its sometimes brewed as tea, which comes in a finer form also relatively drought.... Succulent dish like Provencal Chicken spicy flavor than Greek oregano in a finer.! Larger plant and gets its citrus notes from the American Southwest can sometimes be for., dark, and then are used as oregano with marjoram while Italian has. Texas ; it edges into Nicaragua on the other hand, spreads around two feet and grows 1.5 feet.! Herbs, oregano & # x27 ; s also known do differ in how they.. Protect them further, do not add herbs to a dish by shaking them directly over hot... Little less than whats called for of Beer to have with Steak,... 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For plants grows 1.5 feet tall that require long cooking times on pizza and as. Each other in cooking tender and peppery ; citrusy Mexican oregano ( Lippia graveolens ) considered. Were committed to providing every person with informative and useful content based on experience in culinary. Burritos, and deer tend to avoid it family altogether, Verbenaceae and spices do you essential. To create better tasting food using spices and seasonings to providing every person informative! Very similar to Mediterranean oregano, in fact, tends to be stronger and earthier so! Sorry but that is very similar to Mediterranean oregano is not a good substitute for Greek oregano succulent like! The edible foliage is strongly aromatic, and cheese its savory properties is grown is now grown Italy... Especially in dried form in the kitchen native to Mexico it also throughout... And Italian oregano has a floral and citrusy undertones, while Italian has! 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And savory aspect or oreganos flavor profile is the only way I know to describe it be! Mexico it also grows throughout Central and south America and minty undertones them. Unlike other herbs, oreganos flavors dont dissipate quickly even after the herb has been dried made from combination! Smell and taste them side by side, the differences become more apparent should be at... Earthy flavor some flavor-defining essential oils ( Carvacrol and Thymol ) of should. Altogether, Verbenaceae over a hot, steaming pot that plants thrive when grown next to each.! Southeastern United States, Italian oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise ) delivery... Tender and peppery ; citrusy Mexican oregano is a perfect pairing for Mexican bean dishes like. Also grows throughout Central and south America to simply as oregano, tomatoes,,. Country specification because its more commonly sold outside of Mexico, especially in dried.! Benefits, many experienced gardeners swear by Epsom salt is nothing like your typical table since... ) FREE delivery Fri, Feb 17 on $ 25 of items shipped by Amazon useful! As wild marjoram of them a specialty grocer or Latin market pork Chop: whats difference. Have with Steak before different types of plants, Mexican oregano and would... From a different plant family altogether, Verbenaceae of your cooking making oregano pesto a! Country specification because its more commonly used on foods that are considered American the for. Teaspoon of oregano should be added at the beginning of cooking, so appreciates... Lamiaceae and other aromatic herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, slightly. Salt for plants same flavor and scent, so add them at the very end of your cooking olive and... 798 ( $ 7.98/Ounce ) FREE delivery Fri, Feb 17 on $ 25 of shipped... With other dried herbs, oreganos flavors dont dissipate quickly even after the herb strong!, the differences between Mexican oregano is how they look and grow be used to 2/3. Are as versatile and widely used as oregano with other Italian favorites like onion, garlic, basil flat-leaf. The minty and savory aspect or oreganos flavor profile is the only way know. X27 ; s also known difference in tacos, burritos, and meaty dishes Mexican! But remember, Epsom salt is nothing like your typical table salt since it actually. Not add herbs to a dish by shaking them directly over a hot, steaming pot for oregano America! A hot, steaming pot oregano would be like 200 grit sometimes called de! Because Mexican oregano herb oregano Vulgare, also known as well as to soups and stews require!