Oregano: what is it, what to eat and what can be replaced?
With the help of numerous seasonings, the dish can be given a refined taste and piquancy. The most common option - greens, among which the well-known oregano. Meeting with him for the first time, it's hard to understand what kind of ingredient it is. And further we will try to understand this issue.
The name "oregano" is a green perennial plant, which belongs to the family clear-cut. In the common people it is called asian oregano , as well as wood mint, wind color or motherboard .The closest relatives with whom it is customary to compare this herb are basil, marjoram and mint. The height of oregano can reach 3/4 meters. Above - branchy, as well as rhizome. Stem is dense, erect. Has flowers of white or red color. You can see the flowering oregano in the summer - from June to August.
As a seasoning, he became famous for his unusual taste: sharp, bitter, warm taste, while strong enough .Often it can overlap the flavoring qualities of other condiments, so it's worthwhile to be more careful with it. The plant, like its name, originated from Greece. The first information about him, which managed to get to our time, dates back to the 1st century AD.Oregano from Greek translates as "the joy of the mountains."The most fragrant varieties of this plant can be found on rocks in Italy.
Here's how to produce the dried oregano seasoning:
Oregano is added to dishes of meat, potatoes, mushrooms, pickled vegetables, pates, fish. You can also add it to desserts. For example, in ice cream oregano will enhance the refreshing effect. Excellent addition for ham sandwiches. You can add both a dried version and fresh leaves.
Please note that there are contraindications for eating oregano. It can not be used by people with a stomach ulcer and other severe diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have kidneys and liver, then treat the season with caution and do not abuse it. The same applies to pregnancy.
Bunch of vitamins
Besides interesting taste, oregano is a very useful product with a number of healing properties. The most common of these are:
The main active constituents in the plant, due to which the therapeutic effect is achieved, are tannic substances, ascorbic acid, essential oil, thymol, carvacrol, terpenes, bitter substances. Studies of English experts have proved that a decoction of oregano is much more effective than penicillin and streptomycin .In addition to the kitchen and pharmacy goods, oregano is added to perfumery products - colognes, soaps and lotions. Its aroma is very bright and recognizable easily.
This seasoning, like oregano, is very distinctive and unlike any other. Therefore, if the recipe specifies this ingredient, it will not be replaced with 100% accuracy - the result will still differ from the original taste, conceived according to the recipe. But there are several options that will help in case there is no seasoning at hand:
Please note that can be replaced only by flavor, but not by curative properties!
Basil and oregano are so close to each other that many think it is the same plant and seasoning. In fact, there are many differences between them, both taste and external.
What is oregano and what does it eat?
The name "oregano" is a green perennial plant, which belongs to the family clear-cut. In the common people it is called asian oregano , as well as wood mint, wind color or motherboard .The closest relatives with whom it is customary to compare this herb are basil, marjoram and mint. The height of oregano can reach 3/4 meters. Above - branchy, as well as rhizome. Stem is dense, erect. Has flowers of white or red color. You can see the flowering oregano in the summer - from June to August.
As a seasoning, he became famous for his unusual taste: sharp, bitter, warm taste, while strong enough .Often it can overlap the flavoring qualities of other condiments, so it's worthwhile to be more careful with it. The plant, like its name, originated from Greece. The first information about him, which managed to get to our time, dates back to the 1st century AD.Oregano from Greek translates as "the joy of the mountains."The most fragrant varieties of this plant can be found on rocks in Italy.
Here's how to produce the dried oregano seasoning:
- The plant of the second year of vegetation is cut at a height of up to 20 cm from the ground.
- The stems are loosened from the tops, dried in a room with low humidity( ventilated rooms, attics, etc.).The temperature does not exceed 40 degrees.
- The ready seasoning is stored for no more than 2 months in a special container, where no light penetrates.
Oregano is added to dishes of meat, potatoes, mushrooms, pickled vegetables, pates, fish. You can also add it to desserts. For example, in ice cream oregano will enhance the refreshing effect. Excellent addition for ham sandwiches. You can add both a dried version and fresh leaves.
Please note that there are contraindications for eating oregano. It can not be used by people with a stomach ulcer and other severe diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have kidneys and liver, then treat the season with caution and do not abuse it. The same applies to pregnancy.
Bunch of vitamins
Besides interesting taste, oregano is a very useful product with a number of healing properties. The most common of these are:
- The leaves and flowers of the plant have antihistamine, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. They are used for wound healing.
- A good helper from poisoning. Prevents the spread of bacteria in the body, caught with poor-quality food. Saves from flatulence, stomach disorders and diarrhea. To do this, from oregano, decoctions and tinctures are prepared.
- Relieves of muscle, headaches, back pain, teeth. For example, with rheumatism or radiculitis, a massage done with oregano oil helps better with various ointments or tablets. A good alternative to antibiotics.
- Nervous system disorders are treated using this plant. By adding it to your food, you can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, worry. In addition, it is absolutely safe for both adults and children.
- With monthly women are recommended to drink broth from oregano. It helps relieve pain and discomfort, as well as cope with emotional instability.
The main active constituents in the plant, due to which the therapeutic effect is achieved, are tannic substances, ascorbic acid, essential oil, thymol, carvacrol, terpenes, bitter substances. Studies of English experts have proved that a decoction of oregano is much more effective than penicillin and streptomycin .In addition to the kitchen and pharmacy goods, oregano is added to perfumery products - colognes, soaps and lotions. Its aroma is very bright and recognizable easily.
We replace oregano
This seasoning, like oregano, is very distinctive and unlike any other. Therefore, if the recipe specifies this ingredient, it will not be replaced with 100% accuracy - the result will still differ from the original taste, conceived according to the recipe. But there are several options that will help in case there is no seasoning at hand:
- "Mixture of Provencal Herbs".Seasoning, which can be found in the lineup of a wide variety of manufacturers. This mixture is just the oregano, so in the dish it will still be.
- The best option for replacing oregano is basil. They are rightfully considered to be interchangeable herbs, and also combine well in a dish. In order to further approximate their tastes, add dried or freshly chopped mint to the basil.
- A good substitute will also be thyme.
- Cut the dill and parsley finely, mix and add to the dish.
- Replace oregano with a pinch of cumin or marjoram. And if you have both these herbs at hand, you can safely mix them, the taste of the dish will only improve!
Please note that can be replaced only by flavor, but not by curative properties!
Is the basil of oregano different?
Basil and oregano are so close to each other that many think it is the same plant and seasoning. In fact, there are many differences between them, both taste and external.
- Both plants belong to the same family of clearing. But the basil is slightly smaller in size( 60 cm).The flowers of the basil are pink or soft-lilac, sometimes white, as in oregano. Leaflets are bright emerald or violet.
- Oregano belongs to the genus oregano, and basil - to the genus of basil.
- Speaking about the taste, we note that oregano is used for making tea, basil is not suitable for this role .
- One way or another, basil with oregano taste different. Oregano is more bitter, tart;Basil also has a kind of "pharmacy" flavor, reminiscent of something between the laurel leaf and cloves.