17
Nov
The oregano used in Mediterranean cuisine and what I would call true oregano is part of the mint family and is closely related to marjoram whereas Mexican oregano is actually part of the. Both have woody stems and an upright nature reaching a size of about 2 12 tall and about the same wide.
Marjoram may well die if exposed to frosts for any length of time so is often grown anew every year.
Are oregano and marjoram the same. Oregano and Marjoram are both species of the genus Origanum whose Latin name comes from the Greek origanon brightness or joy of the mountains. The Difference Between Oregano and Marjoram While the oval flat green leaves of these mint-family herbs are often confused for one another each one has a distinct smell and flavor that sets it apart. Oregano tends to be pungent and spicy while more mild marjoram is floral and woodsy.
Many claim the difference between oregano and marjoram is dependent on the number of leaves per stem the hairiness of the leaves etc However you know what there are dozens of oregano types. Moreover oregano and marjoram belong to the same family. This means that they can interbreed making to find the differences almost impossible.
Marjoram is definitely not as well known as oregano because oregano is commonly used in internationally popular dishes like pasta pizza and more. But those who have come across marjoram will know that it is a very useful flavor that can be used in a wide range of dishes. Oregano Origanum vulgare is a member of the Lamiaceae plant family.
Its alternative common English names include wild marjoram common marjoram joy-of-the-mountain and European oregano. 1 Oregano is a hardy aromatic perennial plant which is somewhat bushy with hairy stems oval leaves and pink-purple flowers. Oregano is a herb from Origanum vulgare a flowering plant in the mint family while Marjoram is a herb from Origanum majorana an aromatic herb in the mint family.
The main difference between oregano and marjoram is that oregano has a stronger flavor than marjoram. Marjoram and oregano are both typical Mediterranean herbs and are therefore often confused. But thats not because the plants taste similar in fact you can simply taste the difference between oregano and marjoram.
In general the oregano has a much more intense flavor. It is a bit bitter in taste while the marjoram appears almost sweet. In practical terms both oregano and marjoram are perennials but marjoram is a more tender plant compared to oregano.
Marjoram may well die if exposed to frosts for any length of time so is often grown anew every year. Both prefer warm climates with free-draining soils although oregano prefers a drier soil compared to marjoram. The plants commonly called oregano Origanum vulgare sweet marjoram Origanum marjorana and thyme Thymus vulgaris have a confusing combination of similarities and differences.
For example there are thyme species with marjoram common names Thymus mastichina is commonly called Spanish marjoram. Marjoram and oregano are similar in appearance. Both have woody stems and an upright nature reaching a size of about 2 12 tall and about the same wide.
Oregano tends to get leggier and more sprawling if left unclipped. Because of its more compact habit. There are more than fifty kinds of oregano and marjoram is just one kind.
The genus name is origanum all marjoram is oregano but not all oregano is marjoram. Spanish Marjoram Oregano is a completely different species Thymus Masticina and the so-called Wild Marjoram is the common garden herb Origanum Vulgare cultivated all over the world. Sweet Marjoram Origanum Majorana is well known as a culinary herb cultivated in gardens all over the world.
Click to see full answer. Are oregano and marjoram the same. Marjoram is very similar to its more popular cousin oregano and in the Mediterranean it is often referred to as wild marjoram.
Marjoram does belong to the same family as oregano and is often used as a substitute. The oregano used in Mediterranean cuisine and what I would call true oregano is part of the mint family and is closely related to marjoram whereas Mexican oregano is actually part of the. Marjorams botanical name is Origanum majorana so it is the same genus as oregano but it is a different species.
And marjorams aroma is not quite as pungent as oreganos. Can you substitute fresh oregano for dried. Thats because in the botanical family tree the two herbs are actually very closely related.
Over in the Mediterranean oregano is sometimes known as wild marjoram despite the fact that theyre two completely different plants. Marjoram tends to have a subtler gentler flavor than its potent cousin.