Origanums & Marjoram

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Hey y'all,

 

> Marjoram is a close cousin of oregano. It has a more delicate

> flavor, which some people prefer, but the two herbs can be used

> interchangeably in most recipes.

 

 

Actually .. Marjoram is a member of the Genus Origanum. It is one of

the 50 + varieties of Origanum.

 

ALL Marjorams are Oreganos .. but ALL Oreganos are NOT Marjorams.

 

This has not always been true .. there was a time when Marjoram had its

own Genus .. but the so-called experts killed that one.

 

Kingdom ............ Plantae

Division ........... Magnoliophyta

Class .............. Magnoliopsida

Order .............. Lamiales

Family ............. Lamiaceae .. the MINT Family

Genus .............. Origanum

Species ............ Origanum majorana

Binomial Name ...... Origanum majorana L.

 

Marjoram (Origanum majorana, Lamiaceae) is also called Sweet Marjoram or

Knotted Marjoram and Majorana hortensis.

 

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is sometimes called Wild Marjoram.

 

Pot Marjoram or Cretan or Izmir Oregano (Origanum onites) has a similar

chemical profile as Marjoram.

 

Origanum pulchellum is called Showy Marjoram or Showy Oregano.

 

And .. it can get far more complicated. In fact, there is still a lot

of argument between the so-called experts as to what 2 products I sell,

Origanum dubium Carvacrol and Origanum dubium Linalool should be named.

 

Even there are plants that have no relation whatsoever to the Origanums

except they are Carvacrol rich .. that are called Oregano .. a couple

that come to mind are .. Thymus nummularius and Lippia graveolens.

 

I prefer to list Marjoram as Origanum marjorana .. and if I sold the

other Marjoram I would list it as Majorana hortensis. With one

exception .. for a while I listed my Origanum onites as Pot Marjoram ..

which it is .. and those in the know bought it. Those not in the know

avoided it cause it sounded like something you'd grow on your back

porch. Now I list it as Oregano Oil (Origanum onites) and those in the

know still buy it .. as well as those who are not in the know. ;-)

 

Typically, the Marjorams will have less Carvacrol than the other

Origanums .. and for cooking .. Marjoram leaves are normally best used

when fresh .. and Oreganos are best used when dried.

 

And .. as I have mentioned many times on this list .. Oregano Tea is not

only delicious .. but its very therapeutic .. its kicks the crap out of

Big Bad Bug Butts!

 

Y'all keep smiling. :-) Butch http://www.AV-AT.com