How to Grow. Although the herb is native to Mexico it also grows throughout Central and South America. Mediterranean oregano: is a member of the mint family. I recommend finding them fresh, and assessing them. Mexican oregano: is a member of lemon verbena family. It also goes by the name Puerto Rican oregano and is commonly found in Tex-Mex chili, tacos, salsa, and most Latin American dishes. Let the fiesta begin when your family gets a glimpse of tonight’s homemade Mexican lasagna, layered with a soft and flaky tortilla, thick refried beans, mild chunky salsa, enchilada sauce with a hint of heat, Mexican blended shredded cheese, and a mound of ground beef simmered in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Mexican oregano. An herb whose name means “mountain joy”, oregano is a savored spice widely used in Italian, Mediterranean, and Mexican dishes. Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. These flavors are a better fit with Mexican dishes. It was originally used medicinally because similar to thyme, it has thymol and carvacrol which loosen phlegm in the lungs. Mexican Oregano Dried Organic 3 oz Great For Mole, Enchiladas,Taco Seasoning, Tamales, Chili, Meats, Soups, Menudo, Carne by Ole Rico 4.6 out of 5 stars 300 $7.95 $ 7 . A native to Mexico, this species of oregano is a frost-sensitive plant. Mexican oregano belongs to the Verbenaceae plant family while common oregano belongs to the mint family. Oregano is actually a particular herb flavor, rather than a particular herb. Unlike other herbs, oregano’s flavors don’t dissipate quickly even after the herb has been dried. Traditional oregano is one of the most common herbs in modern kitchens. Mexican oregano is indigenous to Mexico and has a more woodsy, citrus-lime earthy flavor compared to your typical oregano, which is Mediterranean oregano. Notice the difference below. Mediterranean oregano is made from a combination of Spanish thyme and the herb oregano Vulgare, also known as wild marjoram. You’ll find it to have a mild licorice taste in addition to a vague citrus flavor. More flavorful than its European cousin, it can be grown as an annual and easily harvested and stored for year round use. Mexican Oregano, Lippia graveolens, is more closely related to the vervain family than to mint. What’s the Difference Between Inside and Outside Skirt Steak. Mexican oregano has similar undertones or base flavor as Mediterranean oregano but that’s where the flavor similarities stop. The two are also different in appearance. It grows in Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Morocco. Despite its earthy flavor and savory profile, oregano is actually a type of mint. The result is a potent and distinctive profile that can easily dominate the other aromas and tastes in your recipe if you’re not careful. It’s an earthy, deliciously pungent herb with a peppery bite and lemony finish essential to Mexican, Tex-Mex and South American cooking. Mexican Oregano Vs. Oregano: SPICEography Showdown. Oregano of any type tends to taste better when dried because drying it causes a collapse of the structures of the plant tissue and increases the amount of the herb's essential oil. Using it in place of oregano means that it won’t necessarily ruin the meal but you won’t get the classic oregano flavor either. It is generally used in conjunction with other Mexican spices like cumin and chili peppers. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow Mexican oregano and Mexican oregano uses. Mexican oregano comes from the verbena family. Mexican oregano, however, is a whole different beast. Use it in salsa, taco fillings, tomato sauce and more. Greek oregano is part of the mint or Lamiaceae family, and Mexican oregano is part of the verbena or Verbenaceae family. It prefers loamy, sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Oregano can work as a substitute for Mexican oregano especially since people outside of Mexico are most likely to have it in their spice cabinets, though it is not the best possible substitute. The plant has tiny leaves that lend a pungent aroma and strong flavor to a variety of savory foods. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. It can also have a mild pepperiness that helps it to compete with other pungent flavors. You will commonly find it added to pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza. See our guide to dividing perennials to learn more. Ever present in Italian cuisine, it’s earned the nickname “the pizza herb”, with its minty undertones justifying its membership in the mint plant family Lamiaceae. Oregano’s robust flavor profile allows it to work like bay leaves and stand up to extensive braising. Discover 500+ spicy recipes and hundreds of pepper profiles, comparisons, cooking tips + more. Visit our sister site PepperScale. Its evergreen shrub blooms from summer to fall with pink to lavender flowers. This herb is native to Central America and thrives in its dry climate. But few know just how healthy this herb can be. Because Mexican oregano doesn’t taste like oregano, you probably won’t be able to use it as an oregano substitute without anyone noticing. There are several species in different families that impart this particular flavor and are known as oregano. Sign up for our newsletter to recipes, reviews, and more delivered to your inbox: The Best Cheap and Easy Appetizer / with Video, How to Dry Brine Your Steak for Maximum Flavor, How to Reverse Sear Using a Charcoal Grill. Mexican oregano is actually a different plant altogether! First, in Mexico, it’s just called oregano, and what Americans refer to as oregano is called Mediterranean oregano. L. graveolens prefers full sun but it can tolerate some shade. In other words, Greek oregano was today’s cough drops. First, in Mexico, it’s just called oregano, and what Americans refer to as oregano is called Mediterranean oregano. Hopefully, in this blog, we can fill in the gaps a little for you. Mexican oregano is very different. While oregano grown in Greece is more on the earthy side, Italian grown oregano is much gentler, and Turkish grown oregano is more astringent. The minty and savory aspect or oregano’s flavor profile can stand in for the licorice notes that you get from Mexican oregano. It can make an enjoyable cup of tea much like its cousin, lemon verbena. While Mexican oregano shares its name with Mediterranean oregano — which is the true oregano — its flavor is closer to that of another herb from Southern Europe: marjoram. Bet you didn’t think I was going to get all scientific on you, did you? Its flavor profile is versatile enough that it can work in many savory dishes. To start off, it’s important you know that these spices share a name, and pretty much nothing else. Mexican oregano vs regular oregano. Where Mediterranean oregano is sweet, with anise notes, Mexican oregano is grassy, with citrus notes. The Italian is very mild, while Greek has a much more pronounced flavor. As an herb, it is gluten-free and suitable for vegan and paleo diets. The Lippa being a descendant of the lemon verbena plant. This is due to the high presence of thymol in the essential oils of each plant. The same goes for the dry varieties. Mexican Oregano Plant is also known by its botanical name “Lippa Graveolens” is type of a Shrub, which belongs to a family of Verbena, and you will find many familiar names in the Verbena Plant family such as Lemon. You are here: Home / SPICEography Showdown / Mexican Oregano Vs. Oregano: SPICEography Showdown. There’s plenty of stories floating around about this but the truth is no one really knows for sure. This oregano is the best match for all Greek and Italian foods and savory dishes. Mexican oregano is actually a bit different than the usual stuff you find in the spice aisle. Whether or not it should be called oregano is the real question. Oregano varieties can differ in flavor based on species and growing region—Greek oregano, for example, is typically high in pungent carvacrol, while Spanish oregano tastes more like thyme. Since it has a higher essential oil content than Origanum varieties, it seems more pungent. In part. Mexican oregano is a delicious, leafy herb that is frequently used in Mexican cuisine. As compared to Mediterranean oregano, Mexican oregano has a more floral and grassy aroma. The two smell very similar, especially in dried form. Using it in a dish that requires oregano may change the flavor profile so significantly that it will be immediately detectable. However, Poliomintha longiflora and Lippia graveolens are the ones most commonly grown as "Mexican Oregano" here in Texas with P. longiflora being slightly more hardy than the L. graveolens. Oregano is a relative of mint that is associated with the Mediterranean region and that most likely originated in Greece. As a result, it has a citrusy flavor to it. As compared to garden oregano, the Mexican variety packs more flavor. I often use my spice grinder with Mexican oregano when I use it in things like my homemade enchilada sauce, etc. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. In colder areas, Mexican oregano dies down during the winter. Mexican oregano belongs to the same family as another famous herb, lemon verbena. Mexican oregano can be found under the species name Lippia graveolens, while the common oregano species is Origanum vulgare. Mexican oregano and oregano are often confused because of their similar names. Greek oregano tends to be the most savory and earthy, while Italian is milder and Turkish is more pungent. Mexican Oregano is from a different plant, indigenous to Mexico, and maintains a more woodsy, earthy flavor than Mediterranean Oregano. Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. When in bloom, the plant sports pink or purple flowers, which are also edible. The genetic makeups of the two are also different. It’s indigenous to Mexico and originates from a totally different plant family, Verbenaceae. That’s because Lemon Verbena is also a member of this herbal family. It's sometimes called wild marjoram. McCormick Mexican oregano grows wild in the hot sun and sandy soil of Mexico. The flavor is milder and sweeter than Mexican oregano. Sigh. Are they the same herb or similar? Oregano itself was originally Greek before different types of the herb began to grow. Their flavors are different, too. Marjoram has the oregano flavor profile but with added minty sweetness. Of the different types of oregano, the variety that best complements Mexican flavours is Oregano ‘Hot and Spicy’, and the name says it all – the leaves have a … It’s also found in pasta sauces and strongly flavored Italian cuisine. But, yes, we botanists do call it oregano; as that is the name used locally (origano). Mexican oregano and oregano come from unrelated plants even though they share a name. It can also have a mild pepperiness that helps it to compete with other pungent flavors. Mediterranean Oregano. Depending on even the patch of the field it’s grown in, the oregano may be more bitter, sweet, or spicy. Mediterranean Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is part of the mint family. Mexican oregano is Mexican. Used fresh or dry, Mediterranean oregano is the choice for dishes from this region, tomato sauces, pizzas, grilled meats, and other dishes with strong flavors. It matches perfectly with dishes from that region. Oregano is an herb composed of the fresh or dried leaves of the oregano plant. Yes, the two are different plants, and each oregano has its own “personality,” according to Patty Erd, co-owner of The Spice House store chain. Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens), known in Spanish as orégano cimarrón ('wild oregano') is not in the mint family, but in the related vervain family (Verbenaceae). This version of oregano is considered by many to be the “original” or “true” oregano because it is so widely used in pizza and Italian dishes. Herbs have to go with the heat, like oregano, thyme and chillies, or cool things down, like coriander and parsley. Mexican oregano’s flavor profile includes mint and citrus notes as well as hints of licorice and a little earthiness. In America, it’s referred to simply as oregano with no country specification because it’s more commonly used on foods that are considered “American.” It pairs well with grilled meats and stews, but that’s not the only thing you’ll find it in. If it were to be prefaced with geography it would be Mediterranean because it grows throughout Italy, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. Mexican oregano pairs well with the seasonings that tend to show up in Mexican cooking like cumin and peppers. You won’t get Mexican oregano’s sweet citrus notes, but you may be able to replace that with other ingredients. Mexican oregano is harvested from the Lippa graveolens plant and gets its citrus notes from the plant as well. Mexican oregano is from the species Lippia graveolens, in the verbenaceae or verbena family. So what’s the real difference between oregano and Mexican oregano? Mexican oregano, on the other hand, is from a different plant family altogether, Verbenaceae. … Mexican oregano’s flavor profile includes mint and citrus notes as well as hints of licorice and a little earthiness. It may be root hardy a bit farther north than zone 7b. 95 ($2.65/Ounce) Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) comes from the verbena family. Mexican oregano has lemon and citrus flavors as well as some tones of licorice. The Chowhound title is very misleading. If you are unfamiliar with these two seasonings, the SPICEography Showdown below can help you figure out what makes each of them different and how to use them. Its flavor makes a big difference in tacos, burritos, and meaty dishes. When dried, the leaves tend to curl up that’s why this herb is also termed as curly-leaf oregano. Mexican oregano is also sometimes used as a tea herb. If the two were sandpaper, Mexican oregano would be like 80 grit and oregano would be like 200 grit. What’s the Difference Between Oregano and Mexican Oregano? You’ll also find Lemon Verbena in this family, so as you would expect Mexican Oregano … But that doesn't necessarily mean you can't make those albondigas . Not all oregano is the same. Oregano has a minty quality along with a subtle bitterness that enhances its savory properties. Depending on even the patch of the field it’s grown in, the oregano may be more bitter, sweet, or spicy. You will see it commonly used in Latin American dishes and those from the American Southwest. The presence of more essential oil makes the flavors more easily absorbed into foods. Much like wine, or woods used for smoking, depending on the region it’s grown in, it has a slightly different taste. Thymol is a chemical compound found in other herbs such as marjoram, wild bergamot, and thyme. In areas where it dies to the ground but remains root hardy, new stems arise each spring. • Mexican oregano: Mexican oregano is a relative of lemon verbena. European oregano, also known as Greek oregano, Turkish oregano and Mediterranean oregano, comes from one plant while Mexican oregano comes from another. You’ll see that the Mexican oregano looks heartier and smells more intense, while the Italian variety is more delicate, smaller and smells much sweeter. Dried vs Fresh Mexican oregano is most frequently used dried. In New Mexico and California the leaves of several plants in the Lippia genus are harvested and dried before use. And who decided one was the regular oregano and one was Mexican oregano. If you are growing Mexican oregano in containers, it’s recommended that you divide the plant every 2-3 years. Well, "Mexican Oregano" is just a common name for the three herbs that I mentioned above. So why are they both called oregano? Mexican oregano is very different. Can you use them in the same ways? It has strong and pungent smell, it contains a slightly citrus and earthly undertone in flavor. To me, the main differences between Mexican and Italian oregano are pretty striking. Add it to dry rubs for roasted or smoked meat as well as to soups and stews that require long cooking times. Oregano is best suited for dishes from the Mediterranean region that use tomatoes heavily and that contain other strong herbs and seasonings. Mediterranean oregano has a robust, savory, peppery flavor, which makes it perfect for use in Greek or Italian cuisines. That said, it is a savory herb and will work with the same kinds of ingredients that get used along with oregano.