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Oregano
Inventory, lb : 105.80
This item was last sold on : 12/05/23
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.
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
| Sadie Rose Bakery | Oceanside CA | 619-718-9532 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Burning Beard | El Cajon CA | 619-884-4716 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Quixote (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Paradisaea Bar | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Namaste Chef | Julian CA | 619-251-2482 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| The Guild Bar | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Chef Taylor Dennis LLC | San Diego CA | 512-470-9323 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Camino Riviera | San Diego CA | 619-685-3881 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Chef Jenn | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-9054 |
| Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 925-980-9316 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Cliffhanger Cafe Menu | San Diego CA | 858-452-9858 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Fairplay | San Diego CA | 303-870-0065 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Thyme for Something Homemade | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-245-1004 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Haggos Organic Tacos LLC | Encinitas CA | 760-695-8870 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Sago | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Clos Wine Shop | San Diego CA | 619-915-6846 |
| The Islander | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Grass Skirt | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Peace Pies | San Diego CA | 619-618-6960 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Home & Away - Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Nomad Donuts | San Diego CA | 619-431-5000 |
| Barrio Star | San Diego CA | 619-501-7827 |
| Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| The Guild Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Venissimo Cheese Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-847-9616 |
| Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
| Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| UPAC Enterprise Center | San Diego CA | 6192557644 |
| The Compass (Catering) | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| SB Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Sara Polczynski (Seasoned Plates) | San Diego CA | 619-757-8924 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Oregano. One
is easiest, three is harder.
