Oregano
Estimated Inventory, lb : 34.97
This item was last sold on : 11/19/24
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.
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Home & Away - Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Savory Moment (1) | El Cajon CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Brigantine La Mesa (Bar) | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Lafayette Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Boujiemana (TCW) | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| SD Continuing Education Culinary Arts | 619-719-6924 | |
| The Cottage | La Jolla CA | 858-454-8408 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Hasta Manana Cantina | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Blue Water Estate Services | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-720-9831 |
| Haggos Organic Tacos LLC | Encinitas CA | 760-695-8870 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
| The Cottage Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-454-8409 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Manna | Encinitas CA | 510-366-3057 |
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| UPAC Enterprise Center | San Diego CA | 6192557644 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Oside Kitchen Collaborative | Oceanside CA | 619-807-7161 mike |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Chef Jenn | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-9054 |
| Mamas Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-233-6262 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-581-3500 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Sensations Salud | San Diego CA | 619-933-3489 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Valley View Casino & Hotel | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Oregano. One
is easiest, three is harder.
