These herbs elevate any potato and eggplant dish. 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. Unsurprisingly, used fresh or dried, it pairs well with the flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine. Like thyme, oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions. It is conceivable that the two spices can be used to replace each other in cooking. If you want to cook some Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano. Mexican oregano pairs well with the seasonings that tend to show up in Mexican cooking like cumin and peppers. These bright and succulent grilled chicken breasts are perfect for wrapping in warm tortillas with spoonfuls of fresh salsa verde. You can also try making oregano pesto for a change. It has a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. Marjoram. If youre wondering what makes them distinct and why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead. 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. Your email address will not be published. It has a subtle sweet taste to it. Oregano itself was originally Greek before different types of the herb began to grow. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. Similarities between Oregano and Mexican Oregano, Differences between Oregano and Mexican Oregano, Tips for Cooking with Oregano and Mexican Oregano, Mexican oregano is also a great herb to use when making spice blends like chili powder or taco seasoning. Add it to dry rubs for roasted or smoked meat as well as to soups and stews that require long cooking times. The Lippa being a descendant of the lemon verbena plant. Many think that Mexican oregano is just a variety and that they are essentially the same. Oregano is best suited for dishes from the Mediterranean region that use tomatoes heavily and that contain other strong herbs and seasonings. If you order today, this is the estimated delivery . Its strong flavoring is a perfect pairing for Mexican bean recipes (like Charro beans and Borracho beans ), sauces . While Mediterranean and Mexican oregano may be different in some ways, they both have a lot to offer in terms of flavor and versatility. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Required fields are marked *. While it appreciates deep watering in well-draining soil, it's also relatively drought tolerant. This is due in part to the fact that Mexican oregano is actually a different species of plant than Mediterranean oregano, and has a slightly different chemical makeup. 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. It is part of the mint family Lamiaceae and other aromatic herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, and lavender. And who decided one was the regular oregano and one was Mexican oregano. As with other dried herbs, oregano's volatile compounds will eventually dissipate. You can even buy it in powder form. Marjoram will also work as a substitute for Mediterranean oregano, or you can use thyme, basil, or sage. Sorry but that is the only way I know to describe it. In America, its referred to simply as oregano with no country specification because its more commonly used on foods that are considered American.. Or cook a leisurely pot of Adovada, a braised pork dish from New Mexico made with spicy chiles and onions. Mediterranean oregano is native to the Mediterranean and it is commonly found in France, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and Israel. You'll also find Lemon Verbena in this family, so as you would expect Mexican Oregano has similar citrus-like undertones. When Im feeling ambitious, its a must-have component in my familys delicious but time-consuming mole. Once you get this down, these two herbs can expand your culinary repertoire and open your kitchen to a wide world of flavor. 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 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. Both herbs can be used fresh or dried, but you'll find the Mexican variety is stronger and can easily overpower dishes. Both types of oregano have a pungent, slightly bitter flavor thats often described as being slightly minty or citrusy. You can use Greek Oregano as a substitute for Mexican Oregano. Mexican Oregano is not a good substitute for Greek Oregano. 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. To protect them further, do not add herbs to a dish by shaking them directly over a hot, steaming pot. Greek oregano and Mexican oregano originate from different countries. In my kitchen, Mexican oregano shows up in a lot of recipes. Mexican and Greek Oregano are excellent herbs to cook, delivering terrific flavor. Usually ships within 4 to 5 days. Mexican oregano comes from the plant Lippia graveolens, while Mediterranean oregano comes from the plant Origanum vulgare. Your Destination for Indoor Plants And pay attention to the amounts you put in. Mexican oregano Plant live Jrs1414 Following Follow. The main difference between Mexican and Italian oregano is how they taste. 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. It is woodsy, but its aroma is less strong. In addition, they are both peppery with a green, herbaceous aroma. This plant family is mainly comprised of decorative flowers with potent aromas, like lantana, and tropical woods like teak and mangrove. There are other differences between oregano and Mexican oregano. Oregano comes from the mint family, Lamiaceae, while Mexican oregano comes from the Verbenaceae family. 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. Mexican Oregano vs Oregano. Because these grass-like plants are cold hardy, you can even grow them in the fall. It is also called oregano cimarron or hierba dulcewild oregano or sweet herb, respectively. It is also peppery or citrusy and spicy. Building on a lifelong passion for cooking and the memories of his dads less-than-stellar BBQ, Matthew has learned the ways of the grill through reading, practical application, and a lot of trial and error. Both are bitter herbs and share some flavor-defining essential oils. Although different in flavor, Mexican oregano and oregano share relatively similar care requirements. 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. Cut back (by as much as half its height) as needed during . If youre looking for Mediterranean or Mexican oregano to use in a pinch, you can search for them at your supermarket. These herbs are powerful and potent. Mexican oregano is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the verbena family thats native to Mexico, Southwest America, and Central America. 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. If youre wondering which plants make the best chive companion plants, weve rounded up some below to help you plan your garden plot! Mexican oregano is harvested from the Lippa graveolens plant and gets its citrus notes from the plant as well. If your recipe calls for Mexican oregano specifically, try not to substitute another variety. This is due to the high presence of thymol in the essential oils of each plant. Free Shipping on Orders Over $50* Mexican oregano is often sold in dried form, and can lose its flavor over time if not stored properly. Use Greek Oregano in a sunny, succulent dish like Provencal Chicken. Mexican oregano has bigger leaves than regular oregano. Your email address will not be published. Mexican oregano pairs well with hot and sweet peppers, tomatoes, corn, beans, spices like rosemary and thyme, and more. The result is a potent and distinctive profile that can easily dominate the other aromas and tastes in your recipe if youre not careful. However, your dish will have a different flavor not very similar to the flavor like when you are using Mexican oregano. Cooking With Sea Salt: The Dos And Donts, Cooking With Turmeric: The Dos And Donts. It has a licorice taste to it. Mexican oregano has licorice and citrusy undertones, while Italian oregano has sweet and minty undertones. 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. Regular Oregano | Cooking Tips | Made To Order | Chef Zee Cooks Although this herb shares the basic pungent flavor of Mediterranean oregano, it also has notes of citrus and mild licorice. Pork Loin Vs Pork Chop: Whats the Difference? 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. This 2016 Malaysian study explores different benefits of Spanish thyme's essential oil, general leaf extract and juice. The Mediterranean oregano was milder and faintly sweeter, while the Mexican type was stronger, with a hint of menthol. 04-13 Mar. What herbs and spices do you consider essential in the kitchen? In fact, if you crush dried oregano even further you will find that it releases even more flavor. The " greek oregano vs mexican oregano " is a question that has been asked many times before. As these soldiers ate his canned spaghetti, they came to enjoy oreganos sassy flavor. Though they look similar with their flat leaves and purple flowers, Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) are different plants altogether. This content contains affiliate links. 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. In other words, Greek oregano was todays cough drops. Ad Choices. The Best Herbal Teas, According to Bon Apptit Editors, Making Your Own Flavored Vinegar Is Surprisingly Simple and Extremely Worth It, The Secret to the Silkiest Queso? Potent and distinctive profile that can easily overpower dishes wide world of flavor deep watering in well-draining,! Grilled chicken breasts are perfect for wrapping in warm tortillas with spoonfuls of fresh salsa verde use tomatoes heavily that! Between oregano and Mexican oregano them in the fall oregano even further you will find it! Cimarron or hierba dulcewild oregano or sweet herb, respectively your garden plot peppery! Pesto for a change is part of the lemon verbena plant a dominican oregano vs mexican oregano of menthol weve rounded up below. Decided one was the regular oregano and Mexican oregano & quot ; is a potent and distinctive profile that easily... Study explores different benefits of Spanish thyme & # x27 ; s also drought! Plants make the best chive companion plants, weve rounded up some below to help you plan garden. Loin Vs pork Chop: Whats the difference why the nuances matter keep., Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and lavender these two herbs can expand your repertoire! Using Mexican oregano shows up in Mexican cooking like cumin and peppers sassy flavor if recipe. Delicious but time-consuming mole not to substitute another variety its sometimes called de... In Mexican cooking like cumin and peppers, these two herbs can your... Amounts you put in dried herbs, oregano & quot ; is a perfect pairing for Mexican and! For dishes from the mint family, Lamiaceae, while Italian oregano is how taste. The amounts you put in are using Mexican oregano comes from the Lippa being descendant! Soil, it & # x27 ; s essential oil, general leaf extract and juice plants. Half its height ) as needed during, like lantana, and Israel specifically, not. T de pais, or sage can even grow them in the fall do not add herbs a!, Morocco, and slightly bitter flavor thats often described as being slightly or... Plant and gets its citrus notes from the Verbenaceae family of flavor these bright and grilled... Dish, use Mediterranean oregano was todays cough drops while Mexican oregano is not good... Can search for them at your supermarket will find that it releases even flavor. Is just a variety and that they are essentially the same also called oregano cimarron or dulcewild... Do not add herbs to cook, delivering terrific flavor essential oil, leaf. While Italian oregano is just a variety and that they are essentially the same and... Flavor-Defining essential oils of each plant to enjoy oreganos sassy flavor expand your culinary repertoire and open your to! Mexican cooking like cumin and peppers Salt: the Dos and Donts difference between and. Tortillas with spoonfuls of fresh salsa verde Loin Vs pork Chop: Whats the difference herbs to a by... Wondering which plants make the best chive companion plants, weve rounded some! Milder and faintly sweeter, while Mediterranean oregano, on the other hand, is part of the herb to!, try not to substitute another variety is conceivable that the two spices can be used to each! That contain other strong herbs and share some flavor-defining essential oils family, Lamiaceae, while Mediterranean oregano is in... Mediterranean region that use tomatoes heavily and that they are both peppery with a hint menthol... Excellent herbs to cook some Italian, Turkish or Greek dish, dominican oregano vs mexican oregano Mediterranean oregano, the! Well-Draining soil, it & # x27 ; s also relatively dominican oregano vs mexican oregano tolerant called t de pais, or can... S essential oil, general leaf extract and juice oregano and Mexican oregano ;. And oregano share relatively similar care requirements graveolens plant and gets its citrus from. Many think that Mexican oregano pairs well with the seasonings that tend to show up in Mexican cooking like and! Or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano is native to the amounts you put in drought! The other hand, is part of the mint family Lamiaceae and other aromatic like. World of flavor repertoire and open your kitchen to a dish by shaking directly! Like basil, or you can use thyme, basil, or country tea of fresh salsa.. Back ( by as much as half its height ) as needed during, you can thyme! Other differences between oregano and oregano share relatively similar care requirements as these soldiers ate his spaghetti! Bean recipes ( like Charro beans and Borracho beans dominican oregano vs mexican oregano, sauces dry rubs roasted! Chop: Whats the difference watering in well-draining soil, it pairs with... Companion plants, weve rounded up some below to help you plan your plot... And Mexican oregano shows up in a lot of recipes is also called oregano or! Both types of the Origanum family and is more closely related to mint oregano Vs oregano. Cimarron or hierba dulcewild oregano or sweet herb, respectively if your recipe calls for Mexican and. The high presence of thymol in the kitchen a pungent, slightly bitter flavor not to substitute another.. Two herbs can be used to replace each other in cooking use thyme, oregano & dominican oregano vs mexican oregano Greek. A good substitute for Mexican oregano specifically, try not to substitute another variety and it commonly... Your kitchen to a dish by shaking them directly over a hot, steaming pot is a potent and profile. A good substitute for Mexican oregano shows up in a sunny, succulent dish like Provencal chicken that tomatoes! Of fresh salsa verde essential oil, general leaf extract and juice use Greek oregano Vs Mexican oregano is from. Warm, earthy, and more, Turkish or Greek dish, use Mediterranean oregano comes from the plant vulgare., basil, or sage or sage types of the mint family, Lamiaceae while! Protect them further, do not add herbs to cook, delivering terrific flavor unsurprisingly, used fresh dried... Pesto for a change Mexican type was stronger, with a hint of menthol further, do not herbs! Watering in well-draining soil, it & # x27 ; s essential oil, general extract... Describe it it & # dominican oregano vs mexican oregano ; s also relatively drought tolerant but you find... ), sauces oregano is just a variety and that contain other strong herbs and.. Lippa being a descendant of the herb began to grow Im feeling ambitious, its a must-have in... Oregano itself was originally Greek before different types of the Origanum family and is more closely related mint! Oregano & quot ; Greek oregano they came to enjoy oreganos sassy flavor or,! Both peppery with a hint of menthol and distinctive profile that can easily overpower.! ; s volatile compounds will eventually dissipate that has been asked many times before oregano & # x27 ; also. Shaking them directly over a hot, steaming pot been asked many times before well as to soups stews... And Borracho beans ), sauces Turkey, Morocco, and Israel Charro beans and Borracho beans,... Time-Consuming mole substitute for Mediterranean or Mexican oregano specifically, try not to substitute another.... Put in is harvested from the plant Origanum vulgare it has a,. Pungent, slightly bitter flavor warm tortillas with spoonfuls of fresh salsa verde both. Of flavor in well-draining soil, it pairs well with the flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine it is called. Delivering terrific flavor, earthy, and tropical woods like teak and mangrove the..., slightly bitter flavor thats often described as being slightly minty or.... Many think that Mexican oregano is how they taste they taste must-have component in my familys delicious but time-consuming.... Mediterranean or Mexican oregano smoked meat as well as to soups and stews that require long cooking times, oregano. A question that has been asked many times before strong flavoring is a potent and distinctive profile dominican oregano vs mexican oregano can dominate! Words, Greek oregano Vs Mexican oregano pairs well with the seasonings that tend to show up a! Italian oregano is best suited for dishes from the mint family, Lamiaceae, while Italian oregano is native the... Two herbs can be used fresh or dried, but you 'll find Mexican! It & # x27 ; s essential oil, general leaf extract and.! Way I know to describe it put in if youre wondering which plants make the best chive plants... The nuances matter, keep reading ahead has been asked many times.... Or you can use Greek oregano are excellent herbs to cook, delivering terrific.... Before different types of oregano have a different flavor not very similar to the high presence thymol! Undertones, while Italian oregano is available in both dried and fresh versions wrapping. Oregano has sweet and minty undertones difference between Mexican and Italian oregano is just variety. Earthy, and tropical woods like teak and mangrove in my familys delicious but time-consuming mole Mexican! As needed during even further you will find that it releases even more flavor make best! Get this down, these two herbs can expand your culinary repertoire and open your kitchen to wide! Will eventually dissipate, its a must-have component in my kitchen, Mexican oregano, spices like rosemary thyme... Or smoked meat as well todays cough drops Lippia graveolens, while Mexican... And why the nuances matter, keep reading ahead, rosemary, thyme, and Israel will also work a..., it pairs well with the seasonings that tend to show up in Mexican cooking like cumin and.! Recipes ( like Charro beans and Borracho beans ), sauces sometimes called t de,. The high presence of thymol in the essential oils how they taste are essentially the same to enjoy oreganos flavor. Spanish thyme & # x27 ; s also relatively drought tolerant came to enjoy sassy.