Oregano
Estimated Inventory, lb : 24.95
This item was last sold on : 05/07/25
Description/Taste
Oregano is a shrub-like herb with multiple-branched stems, growing either upright or in a creeping manner, depending on the variety. It can grow as tall as three feet in height. The leaves are narrow and pinnate, or arrow-shaped, and have a soft, fuzzy texture. They grow in pairs, well-spaced out along tender stems. As the plant grows, the more mature stems become woody at the base. In the late summer, small white flowers bloom from the flower spikes (bracts) at the top of the stems. Typically, Oregano is harvested just before the flowers bloom, when the flavor and aroma is at its peak. Oregano is said to have a ‘balsamic’ flavor; a combination of mint (a closely related herb), thyme, and rosemary. The taste is strong and somewhat bitter.
Seasons/Availability
Oregano is available year-round.
Current Facts
Oregano is botanically classified as Origanum vulgare, and is often referred to as “Wild Marjoram.” While marjoram is also in the genus Origanum, the two are different species. The major differences between the two herbs can be found in the compounds contained in each plant’s volatile (or “essential”) oils. Oregano has long been used as a culinary and medicinal herb in Europe and more recently worldwide.
Nutritional Value
Oregano is a good source of iron, manganese, vitamin K, fiber and calcium. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids The two main compounds in essential oils obtained from Oregano are thymol and carvacrol, which are the primary natural chemicals that give Oregano its specific flavor profile. The compounds have strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Phytonutrients in Oregano give the herb four times more antioxidant power than blueberries. For the best health benefits, Oregano is often brewed into a tea or the essential oils are extracted from the leaves for use in supplements, diffusers and some cosmetics.
Applications
Oregano is a traditional Mediterranean herb and plays a prominent role in Greek and Italian cuisine. Pair fresh and dried oregano with cured olives, sheep's milk cheeses, tomatoes, pork, lamb, potatoes, pasta and rices. It is an ideal aromatic for meat stews and can compliment olive oil sauces for grilled and baked fish. Keep cool and dry until ready to use.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
To the ancient Romans and Greeks, Oregano was seen as a symbol for happiness and joy. Wreaths of Oregano sprigs were worn as crowns by the bride and groom on their wedding day; the herb was thought to bring blessings of happiness to the couple. In other folk remedies from Europe to Australia, Oregano was used as a cure-all for sickness, digestive troubles, detoxification and maintaining good heart health.
Geography/History
Oregano is native to the Mediterranean and the region stretching east towards Asia. The botanical name Origanum vulgare comes from the Greek oros for “mountain” and ganos for “joy,” named for its favorite growth habit – the warm, dry mountainsides of Greece. Oregano was cultivated in France since the Middle Ages and is a major component of Mediterranean cuisine. The herb was unknown to Americans until the 20th century when soldiers returning from World War I brought Oregano back from Italy. There are many plants that are referred to as “Oregano” because they contain high amounts of carvacrol, which is responsible for the flavor profile indicative of Oregano. It is estimated that there are over forty different species, and countless hybrids of Oregano due to the wide variability of the species and its ability to cross pollinate very easily.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Haggos Organic Tacos LLC | Encinitas CA | 760-695-8870 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| 31ThirtyOne by Deckman | San Diego CA | 619-495-9814 |
| Brigantine La Mesa (Bar) | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Lost Cause Meadery | SAN DIEGO CA | 858-245-1911 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Singing Hills Golf Resort | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 x1 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Storyhouse Spirits Bar | San Diego CA | 801-949-5955 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Botanica (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Mamas Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-233-6262 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-884-5350 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-232-1234 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Plant Based Meals | San Diego CA | 858-255-0590 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Home & Away - Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Relic Bageri LLC | San Diego CA | 619-335-6328 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Javier Plascencia (Animalon) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Far Corner | San Diego CA | 6195490838 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Wildland | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| The Barista Botanist | San Diego CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| The Cottage | La Jolla CA | 858-454-8408 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Leu Leu | Leucadia CA | 619-316-5807 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Sadie Rose Bakery | Oceanside CA | 619-718-9532 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Oregano. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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