What Exactly Is Oregano?

What Is Oregano?

Oregano is a woody-stemmed herb with small, rounded leaves from the mint family. It's often found in Italian, Greek, Syrian, Argentinian, Mexican, and Turkish cuisine, though it's popular globally. It has historically been used as both a culinary and medicinal herb. Oregano has been used by many cultures for healing many types of ailments, from coughs to stomach pains to wound care.

Learn everything you need to know about this all-purpose herb, including the best recipes to showcase it and how to store it properly.

What Does Oregano Taste Like?

Most often associated with Italian-American and Greek cuisine, oregano is a strong, highly herbaceous flavor. It marries the warmth of thyme with the sweet, medical flavor of marjoram, with a hint of anise-like astringency. It's loaded with many flavorful, aromatic oils, so a ton of flavor is released from just a few leaves. It's one of the main ingredients in Italian seasoning, so oregano is often associated with dishes that feature the seasoning blend.

Origins

Oregano was originally cultivated in the hilly regions of the Mediterranean and some parts of western Asia. Greece has always been a large producer of oregano; ancient Greeks believed oregano came from the goddess Aphrodite. Over time, oregano made its way through Europe, Asia, and Africa, where it became integral in Italian and some Middle Eastern cooking, as well as medicinal purposes in China and Egypt.

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Types of Oregano

Mediterranean

This is the oregano we think of when we think of oregano; it's sometimes called "true oregano." It's slightly bitter and sweet with a minor cooling effect that reminds you it's from the mint family. It's popular around the world and commercially cultivated in many Mediterranean countries.

Mexican

Milder and more earthy than Mediterranean oregano, Mexican oregano is part of the verbena family. However, Mexican and Mediterranean oregano have some similarities in smell and flavor compounds, though the Mexican variety is more floral with a slight hint of citrus.

It's common in Mexican as well as other Latin American cuisines, especially Guatemalan, where it grows abundantly.

Syrian

This variety is most common in the Middle East and pops up regularly in the spice blend za'atar. It also goes by the names Lebanese oregano and Biblical hyssop. It was wild foraged for many years, but due to environmental impacts, it's now commercially cultivated to keep up with demand.

Fresh vs. Dry Oregano

Like all herbs, fresh is more robust than dry – oregano is no exception. Fresh and uncooked, oregano is bold and can be overpowering. Dried oregano is more tempered, but without being cooked, it can be bitter, and the texture of dried herbs is unpleasant. Dried oregano is still very bold and generally much more potent than other dried herbs.

How to Cook with Oregano

If you like the flavor of oregano, look for Greek, Italian, and Turkish recipes; you'll surely find some there. You can use fresh oregano in salads, sauces, dressings, and garnish on top of nearly anything. Dried oregano works great in everything from homemade Italian seasoning to blackening spice to roasted veggies. Some typical recipes to start with are Greek salad, pizza sauce, and Chimichurri.

Where to Buy Oregano

For common Mediterranean oregano, you can find it dried in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. Fresh oregano is also extremely common and easily found in the fresh herb section of your local supermarket. Look for Mexican oregano in a Latin American specialty food store in your area, they will likely have it. If not, many online spice retailers like Spice House and Spicewalla carry it.

How to Store Oregano

Like other dried herbs, oregano prefers a glass container in a cool, dry place like your spice cabinet. All dried herbs lose their potency over time, so use it or replace it every six months.

Fresh oregano will last the longest wrapped in a paper towel and sealed in a zip-top bag. Like this, it should last a week to ten days.

Related:

• The 14 Easiest Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs Any New Gardener Can Grow
• What Is Herbes de Provence?
• What Is Marjoram — And What's a Good Substitute?