Oregano - What food guide - popular plants

Oregano

What an excellent plant, and probably one of the better herbs on the market. Should be available throughout the year - unless nurseries run out... Generally a hardy plant, and can handle our British weather - it is very prone to bugs and when selecting at garden centres or nurseries just have a quick check - main intruder is the white fly!!!

There are lots of different varieties of oregano  - here's a few easily sourced varieties

• Oregano green or common
• Oregano greek
• Oregano Golden
• Oregano Country Cream
• Oregano hot and spicy
• Probably lots more, but these are the main ones

The oregano plant has a very close relative in marjoram. Often these are confused, and there is no obvious difference in the look for the untrained eye, smell as well can be deceptive in the colder months - as both oregano and marjoram only let of their smells when dry or in hotter conditions. Think the rule of thumb (ed) marjoram tends to have smaller and pointed leaves (going to regret that comment, will wait to be corrected in your comments section...- ed)

How to use oregano?
Well cooking wise I would stick to the two main varieties - greek or green / common. Both have larger leaves  than the other varieties so easier to work with. The oregano can be chopped up, or put in whole leaves as required. My recommendation is to add later in the cooking process - it will not flavour oils like the rosemary or garlic herbs.

Recommended to use with - meat, fish, vegetables, egg dishes, soups and stews. Can also be used in salads, vegetable dishes and vinegars.

Popular plants recommends you use this in Pizza - make you own pizza toppings, then get a good handful of oregano - wow very fresh. Also popular plants recommends it in pasta dishes - if you are doing a cheese bake or similar - add oregano on top for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Oregano will not tolerate high levels of heat when cooking - turn down heat when adding to frying pan or heat from beneath a pan.

We offer a large and diverse range of oregano in the Popular Plants online shop. Happy to answer questions or queries - and always happy for comments - never stop learning.