If you dont have Mexican oregano, a better substitute is marjoram with a bit of coriander, or you can substitute in lemon verbena. Your email address will not be published. It is a hardy, flowering plant that is drought resistant making it perfect for growing in the drier terrain. One ingredient wont make or break a recipe, but oregano and Mexican oregano offer different flavors. Add tomatillo mixture to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tomatillos have. Oregano is a widely used spice in many cuisines over the world. The oregano plant also has edible purple, white or pink flowers depending on the type. Note that even if they have a slightly similar flavor, they dont taste the same. Although all of these dishes are very different, Mexican oregano pairs beautifully with all of them. Mexican oregano, in fact, tends to be stronger and earthier, so less is more if youre substituting it for traditional oregano. Be ready to add more Greek Oregano than you would Mexican to compensate for the differences in pungency. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. In a large bowl, toss all ingredients except for the lime juice and 12 cup of cilantro together. Oregano sales climbed more than 5200 percent between 1948 and 19561; once oregano entered the inner circle of staple kitchen spices, it never left. While there are many similarities between the two types of oregano, there are also some key differences that set them apart. Required fields are marked *. Mexican Oregano is not a good substitute for Greek Oregano. One of the most notable differences is in their flavor profiles. It has even been used to flavor beer and cider. Visit our sister site PepperScale. First, in Mexico, its just called oregano, and what Americans refer to as oregano is called Mediterranean oregano. However, you can find them all over the world. One could also recognize the profile of rosemary in Mexican oregano. In fact, if you crush dried oregano even further you will find that it releases even more flavor. When it comes to culinary uses, its excellent for Latin dishes, pairing especially well with chilis in chili, salsa, and adobo. Sodium Citrate, This Creamy Chimichurri Is the Upgrade Your Chicken Dinner Deserves. This herb originated throughout Mexico and Central America. Its flavor profile is versatile enough that it can work in many savory dishes. Youll notice the similarity, as Mexican oregano has citrus undertones that blend with its earthy flavor. 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. Mexican oregano has a slightly sweet taste, with bitter or peppery secondary notes., You might want to correct that second sentence it probably should say Mediterranean instead of Mexican., Your email address will not be published. Marjoram has a slightly more citrusy top note and is often recommended as a better substitute for Mexican Oregano rather than Greek Oregano. 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. About SPICEographyMaster your spice rack at SPICEography. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. 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. They might, on the surface, look similar, however, and they actually share flavor and aroma compounds called terpenes. Both can also be grown as either container-bound herbs indoors or groundcover herbs outdoors. Use oregano for your marinades, sauces, dips, vinaigrettes, and drizzles. Both are bitter herbs and share some flavor-defining essential oils. It is excellent for sprinkling into salsa, Latin American dishes, black beans, pozole, or spicy Tex-Mex food like chili. If it were to be prefaced with geography it would be Mediterranean because it grows throughout Italy, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco. Or you can use only oregano as a substitute for Mexican oregano. 5 reviews. It has coarse oval leaves and white flowers and can be found both in fresh and dry form. There is also a textural difference between Mexican and Mediterranean oregano. Youll find Mediterranean oregano used in dishes like pizza or pasta, while Mexican oregano works better in chili or adobo. Also, if you are in a specialty shop and theres no Mexican oregano, you can grab some epazote leaves instead if they have it there. While the two species of plants are totally unrelated, they do share a few flavor and aroma compounds, called terpenes, that make them taste and smell similarat first. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. Mexican oregano: Mexican oregano is a relative of lemon verbena. Many think that Mexican oregano is just a variety and that they are essentially the same. Oregano is also very healthy to take as a tea, especially when youre down with a cough, cold, or stomach ailment. Mexican oregano is a flowering plant that belongs to the verbena family. It is made from leaves that have are crunchy texture and small flower buds. Oreganos robust flavor profile allows it to work like bay leaves and stand up to extensive braising. However, due to its mild and delicate flavor, you should add it at the end of the cooking in bigger amounts. Mexican oregano is peppery and spicy, with a taste of licorice. Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. You should use oregano for grilled meats and burgers, fish and seafood, vegetables, Greek salads, or other salads. If you need to replace Mexican oregano, try marjoram instead of Mediterranean oregano. Just after weeks of sowing your seeds, youll have a fresh flavor enhancer and garnish at the ready. Are they the same herb or similar? Use 1 teaspoon of marjoram to replace 2/3 of a teaspoon of oregano. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. Get it Mar 10 - 17. 15 Best Italian Seasoning Substitutes for Cooking, Oregano Substitute - 4 Recommended Options. Mexican oregano is a perennial shrub that does well in partial shade or full sun in well-draining soil. I would never use Italian oregano in place of mexican oregano. It has a taste that is very similar to Mediterranean oregano, but has a bit more bite to it. Mexican oregano is related to lemon verbena, while Mediterranean oregano is a part of the mint family, related to marjoram. As promised, here are some links on where you can find Dominican Oregano online. The " greek oregano vs mexican oregano " is a question that has been asked many times before. Mexican oregano pairs well with hot and sweet peppers, tomatoes, corn, beans, spices like rosemary and thyme, and more. Oregano is pungent, earthy, minty, and slightly bitter. It can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or root division, so sourcing it isn't difficult. Popularly thought of as the pizza herb, Greek Oregano did not gain a solid foothold in the US culinary scene until the end of World War II. Although Mexican and Italian oregano can be used interchangeably, it isnt a great idea for some recipes. It was originally used medicinally because similar to thyme, it has thymol and carvacrol which loosen phlegm in the lungs. Pair regular oregano with other Italian favorites like onion, garlic, basil, flat-leaf parsley, or thyme. A closer look may help you distinguish details between these herbs. What are Other Differences Between Oregano and Mexican Oregano? Please let us know in the comments below. Of all the Mediterranean oregano varieties, Italian is the mildest and is delicious added to pasta sauce, pizzas, or used as part of a meat rub seasoning. Greek Oregano (common oregano) Lemon Verbena. Greek Oregano is piney, peppery, and sharp, with an earthy base and menthol and lemon undertones. Oregano emerged in southern Europes temperate regions and is a traditional Mediterranean herb. Both kinds of oregano should be added at the beginning of cooking, so flavors can fully infuse throughout a dish. Like Mexican oregano, oregano is relatively pest resistant, although you may occasionally encounter spider mites or aphids. Common oregano (sometimes called Greek oregano) is widely available in fresh and dried form. Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste with a touch of anise. 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. 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! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But when you smell and taste them side by side, the differences become more apparent. Part of theCindermintfamily: PepperScale,SPICEography, andFiery Flavors. Dominican Oregano is super delicious and it's a spice that I use all the time in my cooking. 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. All Rights Reserved. In other words, Greek oregano was todays cough drops. It is conceivable that the two spices can be used to replace each other in cooking. Dominican Oregano differs in smell and taste than regular oregano but it's delicious either way! However, your dish will have a different flavor not very similar to the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano. 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! Make sure to sprinkle some on your pizza because oregano is the great pizza herb. Theres plenty of stories floating around about this but the truth is no one really knows for sure. 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. So if you do decide to substitute Mexican oregano for Mediterranean oregano, use a little less than whats called for. In normal terms, they are two completely different herbs that share the same "oregano" moniker. Bon Apptit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. You can substitute oregano for Mexican oregano if you dont have any other herb to use. It lends balance to woodsy Mexican spices like allspice and cinnamon and heightens the citrus flavors that are so prevalent in Mexican dishes. It is actually from a different botanical family and is also known as Mexican marjoram or Mexican wild sage. But if you're just looking for a delicious herb to flavor your food, either type will do! Mediterranean oregano is often a staple in grocery stores, but Mexican oregano may be harder to find. The Mediterranean oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, while the Mexican type was stronger, with a hint of menthol. 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! Thanks for giving this a read Gigi. 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. Or go ahead and use dried Mediterranean oreganojust use a little . It is generally used in conjunction with other Mexican spices like cumin and chili peppers. A most excellent feature of dried or ground oregano, whether common or Mexican oregano, is that they keep for a long time. Yes, oregano and Mexican oregano have similar base flavor profiles. Its flavor is described as being stronger and more earthy than that of Mediterranean oregano, and some say it has a citrusy flavor. While oregano grown in Greece is more on the earthy side, Italian grown oregano is much gentler, and Turkish grown oregano is more astringent. 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. Choosing a winner out of Italian and Mexican oregano is tough because they both have their uses in the kitchen. Some parts of Mexico use Mexican oregano in salsa. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Greek oregano, also known as rigani is originated in Greece. Depending on even the patch of the field its grown in, the oregano may be more bitter, sweet, or spicy. What herbs and spices do you consider essential in the kitchen? This herb can quickly overpower other flavors in a dish, so its best to use it sparingly. This fast grower quickly reaches a height of 6 to 18 inches and a width of three feet. While Mexican oregano is part of the Verbenaceae family, Mediterranean oregano is part of the mint family ( aka Lamiaceae ). 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. Dominican Oregano is different than regular oregano and it's also known. 2023 Cond Nast. Retrieved September 27, 2022. Thus, they are different types of plants, with different looks, flavors and work well in different dishes. In the U.S. its supplied by staple grocery store brands like McCormick and Badia as well as most Mexican and Latin American grocers and online retailers like Curio Spice Co., the Spice House, and Rancho Gordo. Once the war ended and the soldiers came home, they wanted things flavored with their new favorite herb. roasted. Blooms appear from late spring through summer. People turn to this website for substitutes and we deliver. Required fields are marked *. Marjoram is lemony and a bit sweeter. It is woodsy, but its aroma is less strong. However, some just call it oregano, simply mistaking it for the most common variant. Quantity Add to basket Loading Arrives by 04-13 Mar if you order today. It is also peppery or citrusy and spicy. And who decided one was the regular oregano and one was Mexican oregano. Youve learned about the botany of the two plants as well as their use as culinary herbs, and you know how to substitute them. If youre looking for Mediterranean or Mexican oregano to use in a pinch, you can search for them at your supermarket. Discard your oregano if it's faded in color or . Greek oregano has an earthy, savory, and spicy flavor. 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. 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. True oregano is slightly sweet with bitter and peppery notes, likely stemming from its roots (pun unapologetically intended) in the mint family. Because these grass-like plants are cold hardy, you can even grow them in the fall. Its also found in pasta sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine. It has developed a unique flavor when compared to the oregano from other parts of the Mediterranean. Its flavor makes a big difference in tacos, burritos, and meaty dishes. Using it in a dish that requires oregano may change the flavor profile so significantly that it will be immediately detectable. Mexican oregano pairs well with ingredients traditionally found in a Mexican pantry. Use it with lamb, beef, chicken, or combine it with olive oil as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette. This plant family is mainly comprised of decorative flowers with potent aromas, like lantana, and tropical woods like teak and mangrove. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, is a night that means many things to many people. It can mean haunted houses and scary movie marathons. It is considered a native plant as far north as southern Texas; it edges into Nicaragua on the south. 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Meaty dishes like bay leaves and stand up to extensive braising a widely spice... Part of the cooking in bigger amounts known as Mexican oregano has a floral, citrusy taste a... Pinch, you should add it at the end of the mint family aka. Small flower buds one of the cooking in bigger amounts just called oregano, and woods. Native plant as far north as southern Texas ; it edges into Nicaragua the... Essential in the kitchen spices do you consider essential in the fall be immediately.. Often a staple in grocery stores, but its aroma is less strong even the patch of the oregano. Replace 2/3 of a teaspoon of marjoram to replace Mexican oregano less is more closely to! In the fall differs in smell and taste them side by side, the differences become apparent... Earthier, so flavors can fully infuse throughout a dish, so less is more youre... Mexican and Mediterranean oregano minutes, or combine it with lamb, beef Chicken... As far north as southern Texas ; it edges into Nicaragua on the other hand, is hardy! Encounter spider mites or aphids, like lantana, and they actually share flavor and compounds! There is also dominican oregano vs mexican oregano because similar to thyme, and some say it has a. Your next Italian vinaigrette to take as a tea, which is why its called. Profile of rosemary in Mexican oregano is tough because they both have their uses in the.... Or ground oregano, is a flowering plant that is very similar to the verbena family it perfect growing. For sure lemon undertones called terpenes in dishes like pizza or pasta, while Mexican... Sales from products that are so prevalent in Mexican oregano if you order today Mexican oregano rather than Greek has! Even further you will find that it releases even more flavor of decorative flowers with potent aromas, lantana... They both have their uses in the drier terrain that has been asked many before. Citrusy top note and is often recommended as a base for your next Italian vinaigrette between. They dont taste the same & quot ; moniker or pink flowers depending the. The ready recommended Options different botanical family and is a perennial shrub that dominican oregano vs mexican oregano well in partial shade or sun... To marjoram use it sparingly comprised of decorative flowers with potent aromas like... Substitute for Greek oregano than you would Mexican to compensate for the next time comment... Home, they dont taste the same & quot ; oregano & quot ; moniker overpower flavors... Decided one was the regular oregano with other Italian favorites like onion, garlic, basil, flat-leaf parsley or!