Oregano
Estimated Inventory, lb : 30.16
This item was last sold on : 04/05/25
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.
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| The Cottage | La Jolla CA | 858-454-8408 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Wildland | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Far Corner | San Diego CA | 6195490838 |
| Bica | San Diego CA | 619-669-5725 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-884-5350 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. | San Diego CA | 508-289-2667 |
| Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Haggos Organic Tacos LLC | Encinitas CA | 760-695-8870 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Blue Water Estate Services | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-720-9831 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Relic Bageri LLC | San Diego CA | 619-335-6328 |
| Leu Leu | Leucadia CA | 619-316-5807 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-232-1234 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Home & Away - Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Food of Joy | San Diego CA | 858-531-6616 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Sets Kitchen and Bar | San Marcos CA | 970-390-2148 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Justin Hoehn | San Diego CA | 619 326 8895 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Valley View Casino & Hotel | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
| Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
| Sadie Rose Bakery | Oceanside CA | 619-718-9532 |
| Boujiemana (TCW) | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Kitchens for Good (SD) | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| De La Vina | San Diego CA | 619-990-6124 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Javier Plascencia (Animalon) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Chef Taylor Dennis LLC | San Diego CA | 512-470-9323 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Oregano. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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