99% of commercial oregano you’ve bought originates from Turkey, Greece and Mexico. It’s time to try Italian! Can you imagine your pasta or pizza sauce without it? Angela’s oregano’s pungent, spicy flavor makes it a perfect match for your tomato sauces, eggplant, seafood and grilled meats.
Where is oregano from originally?
Oregano is native to the hills of the Mediterranean countries and western Asia and has naturalized in parts of Mexico and the United States. The herb has long been an essential ingredient of Mediterranean cooking and is widely used to season many foods.
Is oregano Italian or Greek?
Mediterranean oregano: A member of the mint family, Mediterranean oregano grows throughout the region, from Greece to Italy, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco. It’s also known as wild marjoram.
Is oregano Mexican or Italian?
Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. It matches perfectly with dishes from that region. You will commonly find it added to pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza. Mexican oregano has lemon and citrus flavors as well as some tones of licorice.
Is Italian and oregano the same?
Italian seasoning and oregano are not the same thing. Oregano is one of many ingredients in Italian seasoning, however. This means that you can use Italian seasoning as an alternative to oregano if you have that on hand. Italian seasoning is typically a blend of herbs like oregano, parsley, thyme, and marjoram.
Which country uses the most oregano?
Culinary Uses
Oregano is most often used in Italian cuisine. It is a key ingredient in tomato sauces and on pizza, pizza sauces, vegetable dishes and for adding flavor to grilled meat.
Is oregano native to Europe?
Oregano is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Asia. Oregano was used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans in their food (2). Wild oregano oil is used throughout mediterranean cultures as a powerful medicine (3).
Is there a Greek oregano?
A subspecies of Origanum vulgare, Greek oregano is a slightly spicy herb with an earthy flavor. Native to dry rocky mountainous regions in the Mediterranean, it is commonly used as a seasoning for pizza, sauces, meats, and salads.
Do Greeks use oregano?
In Greek cooking, oregano is used in tomato sauces, with meats, fish, cheese, egg dishes, salads, and cheeses and with vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans. Oregano is an essential ingredient of countless Mediterranean recipes.
Why do Greeks use oregano?
In modern times, Greek oregano is still believed to be a rich source of health benefits. It is known to have antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil from oregano is often used for easing toothache, and can also be used as an antiseptic, thanks to high levels of thymol.
Why is Mexican oregano different?
For starters, Mexican “oregano” is a bit of a misnomer. 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.
What is Mexican style oregano?
Mexican oregano has similar undertones or base flavor as Mediterranean oregano but that’s where the flavor similarities stop. You’ll find it to have a mild licorice taste in addition to a vague citrus flavor. It is generally used in conjunction with other Mexican spices like cumin and chili peppers.
Where is Italian oregano used?
Oregano can be used in more than just pizza and pasta sauce. The beautiful green herb adds a delicious, and perhaps unexpected, earthy flavor to several dishes including chicken, seafood, hamburgers, even beans. Also, try it in your next homemade pesto for a bit of a more robust topping for pasta or fish.
What is another name for oregano?
Origanum vulgare, aka wild marjoram and common oregano, has large leaves, and a strong oregano flavor.
What is the best oregano?
Its best known variety is Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum). Sometimes known as true oregano or Italian oregano, this is the familiar herb used on pizzas and in tomato sauces.
What is oregano called in UK?
What’s known as wild marjoram in Britain is the species Origanum vulgare. It’s frequently known as oregano in Europe. It’s one of our staple herbs, but if you’re a gardener you’ll probably be familiar with it, too.
What is the number one spice in the world?
The infographic above shows that, surprisingly, cumin is the most popular spice in the world, and coriander (or cilantro) is the most commonly used herb. In Europe and Africa, garlic is the most common among all dishes considered, and—no surprises here—oregano is common in the Mediterranean regions.
What is the best herb for health?
10 of the healthiest herbs and spices and their health benefits
- Turmeric.
- Ginger.
- Cumin.
- Peppermint.
- Echinacea.
- Cinnamon.
- Chili powder.
- Parsley.
Why is oregano good for you?
Oregano is higher in antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables, and it’s packed full of powerful compounds called phenols. Oregano also contains compounds that may be effective against bacterial and fungal infections, inflammation, and pain, among other conditions.
What spices were native to Europe?
Central and Northern Europe
- Bear’s garlic (ramson) (Allium ursinum)
- Blue Fenugreek (Trigonella caerulea)
- Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Caraway (Carum carvi)
- Celery seeds (Apium graveolens)
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
- Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
- Gale (Myrica gale)
What spices are native to Europe?
As others have mentioned, Europe have our own kind of spices, we just more often call them herbs. There are parsley, chives, horseradish, sage, rosemary, thyme, angelica/kvan, merian, hyssop, cress, melissa, dill, tarragon, fennel, various onions and many more.