Oregano Delivery or Pickup

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.

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!

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.