What is the difference between Mexican and Greek oregano?

E

evan

Well-known member
Can I use Greek oregano in a recipe that calls for Mexican, and vice versa?

I have never seen Mexiacan oregano in the stores here, only Greek.

 
From Penzey's site: Oregano

Mediterranean and Mexican oregano are two different plants, but because they are used in the same way and have a somewhat similar flavor they are both called oregano. Mediterranean oregano grows wild on the hilly mountainsides of southern Europe and is an essential ingredient in so many of the dishes from the region. For Italian spaghetti sauces to Greek salads to Turkish kebobs, the sweet, strong flavor of Mediterranean oregano is perfect. Our travel to this area has allowed us to import some wonderful Turkish Oregano, the best Mediterranean Oregano we've seen in years. Mexican oregano is stronger and less sweet, well-suited to the spicy, hot, cumin-flavored dishes of Mexico and Central America- perfect for chili and salsa. Both types of oregano should be added in the beginning of cooking, so the flavor has time to come out and meld with the other flavors of the dish. Add while browning onions or beef for both spaghetti sauce and chili.

Eva, I use them interchangeably (Translation: whatever I've bought and is sitting in the spice drawer.) My taste buds aren't sophisticated enough that I'd notice the difference once it's mixed up with other fairly intensive ingredients. As long as it has a fresh scent, I'm good with it.

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysoregano.html

 
You can. The flavors are pretty different but even down here in Tex-Mex heaven I never

saw Mexican oregano until five or six years ago. We routinely used the Greek before that. Mexican oregano is very strong and I find that a little goes a long way.

 
The basic McCormick's spice stand in our grocers is titled "Mediterranean Oregano". I have to go to

the ethnic aisle to get Mexican oregano in the Hispanic food section.

 
I remember hiking around the villages on the south shore of Crete when I was...

...19 years old. Oregano grew EVERYWHERE! Little did I know at the time I'd be paying big bucks for little baggies of oregano this late in life. (hee hee)

Michael

Made myself laugh right there...

 
Here in Arizona I find the Mexican oregano in cellophane pkgs

in a separate section from the spices. It is usually in a display with different types of dried and ground chilies.

 
If you mean ME, I was 19 when I did the "backpack thing" in Europe. 3 months of ...

...mindless travel, staying at youth hostels, and burning up a Eurail pass all over the place.

If I'd only known then what I know now.................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Michael

 
I have a friend that swears by Cuban oregano, and grows it himself. 'Not sure what the difference

is either, other than the Greek type is a little weedy-tasting sometimes. Sharp and kind of grassy I think.

 
Cuban oregano is in my garden if the frost hasn't killed it. Lime green very thick leaves

I haven't wanted to try it!

 
I have some that is called Italian Oregano. I think it's a lot better than the Greek for pots, it

seems to not get so rank.

 
Yes, Michael, I mean YOU, and at 69, my backpacking days are long gone...

DH and I could barely stand the flight to and from Europe to visit Italy a few years ago. I would give my eye teeth to have been so wise at 19 to do what you did. Organized travel trips for our age group are not very adventurous, geared to shopping, shopping, shopping. Maybe there's a private tour planner who can map out a unique trip for older citizens like us, who would like to have the adventures you enjoyed, but who don't backpack or sleep in hostels? Anyway, perhaps this will come to be. Thanks for your thoughts, Marianne

 
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