Is Mexican Oregano Edible?

Mexican oregano is a delicious, leafy herb that is frequently used in Mexican cuisine. More flavorful than its European cousin, it can be grown as an annual and easily harvested and stored for year round use.

Whats the difference between Mexican oregano and regular oregano?

Regular oregano is an Italian and Mediterranean spice with minty undertones. It matches perfectly with dishes from that region. You will commonly find it added to pasta sauces, grilled meats and pizza. Mexican oregano has lemon and citrus flavors as well as some tones of licorice.

What can I do with Mexican oregano?

Mexican oregano is used to liven many recipes — meat dishes, salsas, pickling recipes (like onions or jalapeños), enchilada sauces, or even tea. It is sold in different grinds from whole leaves to completely ground.

How do you harvest Mexican oregano?

In the early spring, dig the plant up (or remove it from its container) and cut it in half through the root ball. Plant divisions 12 inches apart. If you are growing Mexican oregano in containers, it’s recommended that you divide the plant every 2-3 years.

Is Mexican oregano better for you?

Mexican oregano, in fact, tends to be stronger and earthier, so less is more if you’re substituting it for traditional oregano. Instead of true oregano, marjoram and lemon verbena will give you more of the citrus note you may be looking for.

Can I use Mexican oregano in spaghetti sauce?

Although Mexican and Italian oregano can be used interchangeably, it isn’t a great idea for some recipes. For example, a sweet tomato sauce benefits from a sprinkle of regular oregano but if you add the Mexican version it will dominate the dish.

What is another name for Mexican oregano?

Mexican Oregano, Oregano Cimarr n, Hierba Dulce. There are many common names for this tenacious little shrub, including Mexican oregano, oregano cimarrón, hierba dulce, and redbrush lippia to name a few.

Is Mexican oregano the same as cilantro?

Cilantro. Just like the Mexican oregano, this familiar herb is popular in the Southwest United States and Central America. Cilantro is mainly used in Mexican dishes like this corn and bean tacos recipe. The Mexican herb will give you a more darker and robust flavor.

Is Mexican oregano true oregano?

For starters, Mexican “oregano” is a bit of a misnomer. 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 verbena family.

Is drinking oregano tea good for you?

The bottom line. As an herb, oregano offers many health benefits and has been shown to be antiviral, antibacterial, and to include antioxidants. It’s unclear how drinking it as a tea stacks up against other methods of consumption. Still, it’s fairly safe so it may be worth trying if you’re interested.

Is Mexican oregano invasive?

Roots: Non-invasive. Wildlife: Attracts pollinating insects. Its flavor usually discourages browsing mammals.

Can Mexican oregano survive winter?

In fact, Mexican oregano hardiness falls between USDA zones 7b and 11. In zones 7b through 8a, however, it’s only root hardy. This means that all the top growth will die back in the winter, with the roots surviving to put up new growth each spring.

Is Cuban oregano the same as Mexican oregano?

Mexican oregano is not the same as Cuban oregano. The two herbs come from different plants and have different flavor profiles. The leaves of Cuban oregano have a scent that is a mixture of oregano, thyme, and turpentine. The flavor of Cuban oregano is similar to oregano, but with a stronger mint flavor.

Can you use Mexican oregano in chili?

What Do I Use Mexican Oregano For? Mexican oregano is a prominent seasoning ingredient in Mexican and Cuban cuisine. Add it to your dish while cooking to enhance the sour flavor in particular.

Is oregano an anti inflammatory?

Essential oils of oregano are widely recognized for their antimicrobial activity, as well as their antiviral and antifungal properties. Nevertheless, recent investigations have demonstrated that these compounds are also potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and cancer suppressor agents.

Is oregano better fresh or dried?

Some herbs’ flavor is also a bit different in dried form compared to fresh – not better or worse, just different. Oregano, for example, is sharper and more peppery fresh, while the dried stuff is flavorful but mild.

Can oregano make food bitter?

If the oregano is cooked too long, you run the risk of having it become bitter. Similarly, if dried oregano is used in dishes in too large of quantities, it may impart a medicine-like flavor rather than a pleasant herbal taste.

What is dried Mexican oregano?

Mexican oregano, sometimes called, Mexican Marjoram, or Rosemary mint, is the dried leaves of Lippia graveolens, a plant native to Mexico. This tasty herb is a staple of Latin American cooking and differs from Mediterranean oregano in its pungent citrus notes.

Where does Mexican oregano grow?

Though not a true oregano, Mexican oregano is native to Mexico, as well as Guatemala and parts of South America. A somewhat ungainly shrub, it grows up to five feet tall and wide.

Can I boil oregano and drink it?

Oregano tea can easily be made at home using fresh or dry oregano leaves. You can also use oregano tea leaves. Add 3 teaspoons of dry oregano leaves into a tea infuser or teapot with infuser/filter, add the boiling water and let it steep for about 5-10 minutes. Remove the filter and serve it warm.

Can I boil oregano leaves and drink it?

Making Herbal Oregano Tea is as easy as steeping fresh oregano leaves (or dried oregano) in a cup of boiling water. Homemade herbal tea made with fresh herbs are light, deliciously aromatic and rich with nutrients.