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Oregano Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to oregano products
About oregano
A member of the mint family, oregano is a perennial culinary herb that dates back several centuries. Its name means "joy of the mountain" in Ancient Greek, as it was found growing wild on the mountainsides of several Mediterranean countries, including Greece. Since its first cultivation thousands of years ago, the herb has become a popular ingredient around the world. It found its way to the United States after World War II when returning soldiers brought the herb home.
Oregano's flavor intensifies when used dried compared to fresh, although its aroma is stronger when fresh. It has a slightly bitter and earthy taste that can vary in intensity. Certain varieties of oregano can practically numb your tongue, while others that were cultivated for colder climates tend to have a milder flavor. The season, climate, and soil composition can all affect the aromatic oils present, thus affecting the flavor.
Oregano has become one of the most widely used cooking herbs in the world as it's featured prominently in pizza and pasta sauces, but you can also find it in the Mediterranean, Turkish, Italian, Mexican, and Greek cuisine. Unlike most herbs, it's typically sold in dry form, but you can find fresh oregano packaged with other fresh produce.
How to pick out oregano
You can find oregano year-round. In many instances, you will find fresh oregano packaged in a plastic clamshell. Look into the container to make sure it looks fresh, which means it should be green in color and not look too limp. Avoid oregano that looks dried out or has broken leaves.
Before you figure out exactly how you want to use oregano in your dishes, let Instacart help you save time on your herb purchase! Open your Instacart app, add oregano to your cart, and an Instacart shopper will get started on picking out your oregano. All you need to do is just wait for the delivery to arrive in as little as 2 hours!
How to store oregano
Fresh oregano doesn't last very long. Place the oregano in a plastic bag, and put it in the refrigerator, where it will last about three days. To extend its shelf life so that it will keep for about one to two weeks, insert a slightly damp towel in the bag. You can also place the stems in a glass of water with a plastic bag loosely tented over the glass. Only rinse off the leaves when you're ready to use them as moisture shortens the life of herbs.
If you prefer to dry fresh oregano yourself, tie the sprigs into a bunch and hang it in a cool, dark place that has decent ventilation. Once it's dried, place the oregano in a container. Try to use this dried version within six months. Anything longer can cause the flavor to deteriorate.
Oregano Near Me
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FAQs about oregano
They're not the same, even though they're often confused with each other since they have a similar appearance. In the Mediterranean, oregano is also known as wild marjoram, but that doesn't mean the two are related. To make matters more confusing, marjoram's botanical name is in the same genus as oregano, but it's a completely different species. Marjoram has a gentler lemony-like flavor and is sweeter than oregano. It also doesn't have quite as strong of an aroma. However, if you find that you are out of marjoram, you can substitute oregano in the dish.
One of the most common uses of fresh oregano is using it in a bouquet for stocks and soups. If you plan to use it this way, don't strip the leaves from the springs; instead, tie it up with other herbs. When using oregano in dishes, strip the leaves from the stem and discard the stem. Make sure you wash the leaves. Since the herb has a more aggressive flavor this way, make sure you don't add too much as it can cause the dish to be too bitter.
You can also substitute dried oregano for fresh, with the equivalent of one tablespoon of fresh oregano equaling one tablespoon of dried oregano. Also, if your recipe calls for a specific measure of fresh oregano, the conversion is 1/2 cup of fresh chopped oregano equals one ounce of dried oregano.
Yes, it's possible to freeze oregano. Wash and dry the fresh oregano sprigs after removing them from the stem. Place them in a plastic bag, remove the air, and put the sealed bag in the freezer. Another option is to mix chopped oregano leaves with a small amount of water and put them in ice cube trays. Put the trays in the freezer for a few hours, remove the frozen cubes, and place them in a plastic bag. Either way, the frozen oregano lasts for up to one year.