The oregano family ranges from Dost to Greek oregano to the marjoram that we commonly use. All oregano varieties have their unmistakable aroma in common, which is indispensable in Mediterranean cuisine.
Types of oregano: Mediterranean aromatic herbs for tomato dishes and meat
Oregano, with its decorative foliage and attractive flowers, is a gem in any herb garden. Bees and insects swarm around the delicately scented butterfly flowers, which can be eaten. Here is an overview of the common types that are commercially available from us:
- Dost (Oregano vulgare): Hardy, native oregano that can be planted outdoors.
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana): Annual oregano species native to our latitudes. Marjoram is used in German cuisine as a seasoning for fried potatoes, liver sausage, mushroom dishes and stews.
- Crete Marjoram (Origanum dictamus): Distinguished from other species by its woolly leaves, which give the herb a white sheen. Despite the fact that it thrives in its homeland in the Diktys Mountains on Crete at altitudes of over 1,600 meters, it is not forest hardy. Cultivate this very aromatic oregano in a bucket and overwinter the plant indoors.
- Greek Oregano (Origanum heracleoticum): Plant this hardy herb in a sunny spot in the herb garden and give it good winter protection. The flowers and leaves of this oregano taste extraordinarily intense and add an interesting touch to pizza and minced meat dishes.
- Flower Oregano (Origanum laevigatum aromaticum): Can be planted in the herb garden. Not quite frost hardy, so provide adequate protection against the cold. The flower oregano is characterized by its bloom. It is stronger and more aromatic than other types of oregano and is an excellent pasture for bees. As with all types of oregano, the flowers are edible.
- Peppery oregano (Origanum samothrake): Very popular spice in star cuisine because of its intense aroma. Keep relatively dry and overwinter indoors.
- Zaatar (Origanum syriacum): Typical herb for many oriental dishes. Since this oregano is not frost-resistant, it must be cultivated in a bucket and overwintered indoors.
- Hot oregano (Origanum hybride "hot & spicy"): Hot and spicy type that goes well with fiery dishes such as chilli con carne. Not completely hardy, so provide adequate winter protection.
tips and tricks
In addition to these types, there are many other types of oregano on the market, all of which differ slightly in taste. Experiment with the different types and discover the variety of flavors of this aromatic herb.