| The oregano herb, an herb with a very flavorful and | | | | Toss fresh oregano leaves in salads for a zesty kick |
| aromatic leaves, is said to have originated from | | | | or use it with meat, fish, poultry, pasta, soup and |
| Greece. In fact, the term oregano came from the | | | | stew. It's also great for stuffing and dusting for grilled |
| Greek word "oros" meaning mountain or hill and | | | | dishes. |
| "ganos" meaning joy or happiness. As such, oregano | | | | Mexican Oregano, which is native of Mexico, is |
| literally means "joy of the mountain". The early | | | | actually more closely related to Lemon Herbena than |
| Greeks even regarded it as a symbol of joy and | | | | the oregano family. It has a deeper and more intense |
| used it extensively for its medicinal properties. | | | | "oregano" flavor with a slight citrus twist. It goes well |
| Overtime, the culinary uses of oregano became | | | | with barbeque, seafood and chicken kebobs, and |
| prominent in many Mediterranean dishes. | | | | sausages. |
| Oregano, despite of its popularity in Greece, Italy and | | | | Italian oregano (also called Sicilian Oregano) is a cross |
| other Mediterranean countries, was almost unknown | | | | of oregano and sweet marjoram and inherits the |
| in the US until after the World War II when soldiers | | | | pungent and sweet flavors of both plants. Use it as |
| brought home the "pizza taste". Its popularity around | | | | regular oregano if you want your dish with a hint of |
| the world rose with the popularity of Italian foods, | | | | sweetness, or use with "marjoram enhanced" recipes |
| particularly pizza. Today, oregano is a staple herb in | | | | for an added spice. |
| Italian cuisine and is greatly famous for enhancing the | | | | Marjoram is sometimes confused with true oregano, |
| flavor of tomato-based dishes. It is used in meat, | | | | but marjoram is of the sweeter variety. In fact, |
| fish, and poultry dishes. It's great in salads, soups, | | | | aside from main dishes, marjoram is also used to |
| vegetable dishes, pasta sauces and scrambled eggs. | | | | flavor desserts such as ice cream, custards, pies and |
| The versatility of the oregano herb was probably | | | | fruit desserts. |
| because there isn't just one oregano herb. The | | | | There are also other varieties like the Hot and Spicy |
| oregano plant is classified into many types, and each | | | | which obviously is spicier than the regular oregano; |
| type has its own distinct appearance, aroma, flavor | | | | Cretan, Syrian and Turkish oregano are the types |
| and use in cooking. | | | | with an intense pungent and spicy flavor but are |
| Greek Oregano is often referred to as the true | | | | slightly more bitter; Russian oregano is more similar to |
| oregano. With its classic pungent and spicy flavor, it | | | | Greek oregano in taste and aroma. With different |
| perfectly complements any tomato, cheese and egg | | | | varieties of the oregano herb, it's no wonder why it |
| based dishes and is also known as the pizza herb. | | | | flavored some of the most famous cuisines. |