Oregano is certainly one of the must have's in your kitchen and combines with basil and thyme as a cornerstone for the big three in Italian cooking. History records that oregano became popular when soldiers from the Second World War returned to the US and brought with them the taste for pizza, which is probably the most common dish associated with it as a herb.
When buying oregano there are some things you need to know. It is closely associated with another herb - marjoram and is sometimes called wild marjoram. Generally speaking, the best of the oregano's are sourced from the Mediterranean region of Greece, Turkey and Italy ( Origanum vulgare hirtum). It's worth while to know where it is grown because some of the other locations and types of oregano just don't work as well in the kitchen. Simple Oregano, often sold in garden stores (Oiganum vulgare gracile) and grown in patio boxes, may have wonderful ornamental value but taste bland.
Organic oregano differs only in the way it is produced, which means it is grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers or often described as sourced from holistic and ecologically- friendly methods of farming. When shopping for anything organic be sure to look for "certified organic" on the label. To be certified organic, product must be grown and manufactured in a manner that adheres to specific standards. You may find that common dried oregano sold in grocery stores is often a mixture of different varieties of oregano and often combined with marjoram and thyme.
You may find, as I have from a culinary point of view, that the dried oregano adds more flavor than the fresh alternative, but either choice will bring wonderful flavor to most dishes. Add organic oregano to almost any tomato based receipt, or add to a salad, along with basil and thyme, and you will add wonderful mint flavor to the dish.
Fresh oregano can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days. The best way to store it is to put in a plastic bag and insert a wet paper towel in the bag or as an alternative, place the stems in a glass of water and loosely cover with the plastic bag. Dried Organic Oregano should be stored in air tight containers and kept away from light or direct heat. It will last six to eight months if handled properly.
So why make Organic oregano your choice. Simple - quality effects taste.
Doug retired from his position as the General Manager / CEO of one of the largest real estate franchise networks in the country a dozen years ago. He continues to play golf and enjoys the opportunity to fish and hunt in the water wonderland of his home state, Michigan. Through out his life he has always been somewhat of a closet chief and prides himself as a Grill Master so it is not surprising to family and friends that he and his wife of thirty five years have opened a store at http://www.organicspicesrack.com/ that focuses on providing quality spices, herbs and seasonings for the kitchen and grill.
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