Ground Mediterranean Oregano

Ground Mediterranean Oregano offers a glimpse into the dark side of mint. A member of the mint family, this herb smells elevated and minty, but it comes with a dark and bitter edge. It tastes a little earthy, a little woody, and a little peppery, with a bit of cooling camphor floating around the top of the flavor. Toward the end, elements of lemon and pine emerge along with a bit of astringency for an aromatic, bitter, invigorating finish. Our Ground Mediterranean Oregano has a minimum of 2.5% volatile oil by weight, which drives the flavor and aroma. Because this herb is dried and ground the volatile oils are concentrated and are easily accessible. They deliver a pungency that is not as readily present in fresh or larger-leaf dried versions of oregano.

The origin of Mediterranean Oregano is cloaked in Greek mythology. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and eternal youth, wanted a representation of happiness to grow in her garden on Mount Olympus, so she created oregano. She shared this herb with the earth to bring joy to mortals' lives. The Greeks called it "the delight of the mountain"; the Greek word oros means “mountain”, and ganos means “beauty”. The scent of oregano is supposed to give rise to thoughts of Aphrodite's beauty, which would also keep adherents’ devotion to the goddess evergreen.

Tips From Our Kitchen

Ground Mediterranean Oregano has an almost magical affinity for tomatoes. Add to pasta sauce, which can go on everything from pizza to eggplant parmesan. Toss over a salad with tomato, feta, and pepperoncini. Rub over leg of lamb and roast, or cut into cubes and skewer. Bake chicken breasts or fish with oregano and sliced lemon draped right over the meat. Add to red beans and rice, stir into the mix for a ham or cheese frittata, or rub over a pork crown roast and serve with a pile of potatoes and carrots, also roasted with oregano.

Ground Mediterranean Oregano can be added at the beginning of cooking to add herbal depth, but keep some to the side to add in toward the end of cooking for a flavor boost. Add cautiously at first, because the volatile oils are exposed and will quickly influence the overall flavor of your food. We also offer unground Greek Oregano for your convenience.

Hungry for more information?

Living the Mediterranean Diet
A Guide to Herbs and Cheese
The Oregano Throwdown: Mediterranean vs Mexican
Oregano: The Quintessential Ancient Greek Herb