Oregano vs. Marjoram -- Mint Family Perennial Herbs In Kitchen Garden

http://www.b2review.com/oregano-vs-majoram-mint-family-perennial-herbs-in-kit... Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and Marjoram (Origanum majorana, Lamiaceae) have been a topic of discussion at local markets and nurseries this year in California. It is hard for many people to tell the difference and there are many subtle differences with various types of the two herbs. In many cases I have found Oregano to be called wild marjoram or sweet marjoram since it is so close.



Just the other day, at a California farmers market, a nursery sales person tried to sell me Marjoram but said it was Oregano. Since I had been growing both for about six months I mentioned that I thought it may be Marjoram which only received a confused response. This may not make much of a difference if you are looking at drying or crushing the herbs but once you taste them you should experience a greater difference. As an example if you put Marjoram on your pizza it may taste great but it will taste very different than crushed oregano.

Majoram

Marjoram
The Marjoram mentioned here I started from seed in a small outdoor greenhouse during December (Zone 10). I then transplanted it into a small one gallon container with compost and other amendments to help with drainage. It had a high germination rate and was said to be used as a companion plant to the pepper plants that are also growing close by. The Marjoram has a thinner leaf than Oregano and grows differently. I believe it tastes like combination of a citrus and a pine.

The antioxidant value of Marjoram, fresh described in ORAC units is:
27,297 μ mol TE/100g.

~USDA

Oregano

Oregano
This Oregano was purchased from a local nursery in a small container. It was then transplanted into a few gallon containers with compost. Oregano has a much wider leaf, seems to grow more slowly, and has a very high antioxidant level dried and fresh. I believe it tastes bitter and spicy.

The antioxidant value of Spices, oregano, dried described in ORAC units is:
175,295 μ mol TE/100g.

The antioxidant value of Oregano, fresh described in ORAC units is:
13,970 μ mol TE/100g.

~USDA

Both plants almost completely stopped growing during the winter but now that it has heated up they are both taking off and taste great. I have also found that putting them in more direct sun and picking the tops of the herb in the morning just before the sun comes up may increase the flavor. I enjoy both Oregano and Marjoram however they are not as easy to grow for the novice gardener as other herbs like pineapple sage.

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Tags:

• Oregano
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Family
• Perennial
• Herbs
• Kitchen
• Garden