Oregano

A green herb closely related to sweet marjoram, used frequently in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Oregano is very closely related to sweet marjoram. Its leaves are somewhat fuzzy, bright green, and small. Oregano has a long history of culinary and medicinal applications, particularly in Greek and Italian cuisines. Oregano is a mountainous herb that thrives in dry heat, though it grows pretty readily in a range of climates. Unlike many herbs in the mint family, oregano is somewhat bitter. It's highly aromatic and has a warm, round flavor profile. There are multiple popular oregano varietals- Mexican oregano is commonly found in the U.S. and adds a stronger, spicier element than standard Greek oregano. Oregano complements tomatoes and garlic wonderfully; it was first introduced to a large American audience by WWII soldiers who came home wanting the "pizza herb" they ate overseas. Oregano has a long-standing reputation in folk medicine for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties and is generally considered to be a "cleansing" herb.