At first glance, marjoram and oregano look confusingly similar. On closer inspection, each herbal plant is in a league of its own. This guide will familiarize you with important differences in appearance, taste and use.
Oregano leaves are hairless
Marjoram and oregano differences
With their apparent similarity, marjoram and oregano hide the striking differences. If hobby gardeners or gourmets only take a quick look, disappointments are inevitable. So that herbalists can use marjoram and oregano perfectly, the following table sums up the differences between the two herbs:
| differences | marjoram | oregano |
|---|---|---|
| appearance (foliage) | smaller, hairy leaves | larger, smooth, weakly toothed leaves |
| Appearance (Flower) | white or pink flowers | white or pink to purple flowers |
| taste | spicy-sweet | strong-tart |
| origin | Asia Minor, Cyprus | Mediterranean |
| cultivation | annual/not hardy | perennial/hardy |
| botanical assignment | Origanum majorana | Origanum vulgare |
Different origins and names signal important botanical differences between marjoram and oregano, which are reflected in the appearance and taste of marjoram and oregano. These contrasting properties are examined in more detail below:
Look
A striking feature of marjoram are the delicately hairy parts of the plant. The fine hairs usually also cover the oblong to circular 20 mm to 25 mm small leaves. From June to September, marjoram puts on a distinctive flower dress of white, two-lipped flowers.
Characteristic of oregano are smooth, 25 mm to 40 mm large, pointed leaves. Sometimes you can feel a very delicate hair on the edge of the leaf. From July to September, the herbal plant is in the limelight with pink to purple, double-lipped flowers.
taste
Of all the Origanum species, marjoram is said to have the sweetest aroma. The gentle, sweet and spicy taste makes marjoram a popular ingredient in delicious spice blends with basil, thyme and rosemary. The spice plant owes its alternative names to this circumstance, such as Wohlgemut and Wurstkraut.
Soft, culinary tones are alien to oregano. Origanum vulgare has a strong flavor that doesn't tolerate any other herbs in the saucepan. Lovers of Italian cuisine appreciate this and use oregano as the dominant herbal spice on their beloved pizza or tomato sauce, for example.
Origin and Cultivation
Although marjoram thrives in its native areas of distribution for several years, annual cultivation is recommended in Central European herb gardens. The heat-loving herbal plant has not learned to withstand temperatures below freezing in the permanently warm climate of Asia Minor.
Oregano is native to the Mediterranean region and consequently accustomed to heartaches regarding freezing temperatures. Gardeners assign the herbal plant to the winter hardiness zone Z5, which implies a frost hardiness of up to - 28.8 degrees Celsius. In herb beds north of the Alps, Origanum vulgare can thrive for several years if a cover of leaves and twigs acts as winter protection.
Difference to thyme
Unlike marjoram and oregano, thyme forms its own genus within the mint family. Herb lovers have this to thank for a colorful array of aromatic thyme species, such as common thyme (Thymus vulgare), lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) or cushion thyme (Thymus cherlerioides) with a species-specific appearance and taste . The following important differences between marjoram and oregano and thyme can be noted for cultivation and use in the kitchen:
cultivation difference
In the herb garden, marjoram and thyme are at war with each other, because annual and perennial herbs in the bed generally do not go together. Experienced hobby gardeners therefore plan an appropriate distance between the two herbs. On the other hand, oregano and thyme are good neighbors and thrive side by side.
usage difference
From a culinary point of view, the world of herbs is upside down. In the saucepan, mild marjoram and gentle thyme combine to create a spicy treat for the palate. The strong, tart taste of oregano, on the other hand, prohibits a liaison with thyme.
tips
Oregano grows as a perennial subshrub. This property requires annual maintenance of the cut. Origanum vulgare has its spiciest leaves on non-lignified shoots. For a premium quality herb harvest, cut back all shoots by one to two thirds each spring.