Oregano is anherbthat is aboriginal to the Mediterranean region that typically maturate to a height of 12 - 24 inch . It ’s a really easy process to glean oregano , but there are a few best practice to consider .
Oregano ’s name is come from the Grecian words “ oros ” ( spate ) and “ ganos ” ( joyfulness ) . It has been used for 100 as a culinary and medicative herbaceous plant , and is one of the key element in Italian and Greek preparation . The ancient Greeks and Romans used marjoram for a variety of ailments , including digestive problems , sore throats , and cold . It was also conceive to have apparitional and magical property , and was used as an aphrodisiac and as an component in love potion .
During the Middle Ages , marjoram was widely used as a medicative herb in Europe . It was believed to help with digestive event , cold , and concern , and it was also used to regale catamenial cramps and to induce labor . In the 17th 100 , marjoram was introduced to North America by European settler .
It was used both medicinally and as a culinary herb . Today , marjoram is one of the most popular herb used in cooking , and it is wide uncommitted in grocery stores , health food stores , and online . It is used to season a variety of dishes , include pasta sauces , stews , and pizza sauce .
When should you harvest oregano?
you’re able to harvest oregano at any clock time of year , but the best time to glean it is just before the flowers capable . This is when the leaves have the most flavor and aroma . Oregano typically flowers in the summertime , producing clusters of small , whitened , or pinkish flowers . Each flower has four petal and they unremarkably open in the afternoon . So the good sentence to reap Origanum vulgare is in the late spring to early summer before the flowers really get going blooming . you may harvest oregano any time , though .
harvest home oregano in the fall is a great way to control a bountiful supplying of the herb for wintertime . To harvest oregano in the declension , full make out the entire flora down to about one inch in height . Do n’t worry , this wo n’t harm your oregano plant . Oregano is aperennialin USDA geographical zone 5 - 12 , so if you be in one of these zones , it ’ll maturate back in the spring !
The amount of pot marjoram you’re able to get from one flora will depend on the size and wellness of the plant . broadly , a single plant can produce up to 2 ounces of oregano leaves .
How to harvest oregano
To harvest oregano , swerve the prow just above where good , high - quality parting begin grow . previous foliage may be beat or damage . Place the stems in a paper suitcase and hang them in a warm , dry location by from lineal sunlight . Leave the bag for 2 - 4 weeks until the leaves are completely wry .
you’re able to also hang dry oregano . Simply cut the oregano plant back to about 6 in from the base . bind the stems together with twine or a prophylactic band then cling the wild marjoram in a cool , dry , dour location . Leave the Origanum vulgare to dry out completely for about two workweek , occasionally blotting off any wet with a towel . When the oregano is totally dry , bump off the leaves from the stem and shop in an airtight container . Once ironical , you could remove and store the leave in an airtight container .
Storing oregano
Oregano should be stored in an airtight container in a coolheaded , dry place away from direct sunlight . Fresh oregano can also be store in the deep freezer for up to a year . impudently harvested oregano can be stored in water for a few daytime as well . Just as you would with a lovely nosegay of flowers , place the stems of your oregano plant into a container of urine , taking care not to submerge the whole plant . Refrigerating the marjoram can help oneself lead its lifetime as well .
