Many different varieties of oregano find uses in cuisines from around the world. Some of these varieties have quite different flavors from the familiar oregano found in Italian herb blends. Trying different kinds of oregano is a great way to add interest to your garden and your cooking.
Oregano is a popular herb used in many cuisines around the world. With its pungent, slightly minty flavor, oregano adds depth and complexity to dishes like pizza, pasta, and grilled meats. However, oregano’s popularity means other herbs are sometimes mistaken for it.
In this article, we’ll look at 10 herbs that resemble oregano in appearance but actually aren’t. We’ll go over their key differences to help you positively identify oregano for culinary use.
1. Cuban Oregano
Cuban oregano also called Mexican mint or Spanish thyme, is often substituted for true oregano. Like oregano it has green oval leaves arranged in pairs along the stem. However, Cuban oregano leaves are larger, thicker, and fuzzier.
This aggressive herb has a stronger, more potent flavor than oregano. It is spicier, with hints of anise and camphor. Cuban oregano thrives in warm climates and is great for Mexican and Caribbean recipes.
2. Carom Seeds
Carom seeds or ajwain are the small fruit of the Trachyspermum ammi plant. Native to Egypt and India, carom seeds resemble the dried seeds of oregano. However, carom leaves look nothing like oregano. They are thin, like dill weed.
Despite appearances, carom seeds have a very powerful, pungent aroma that sets them apart from oregano. They are commonly used in Indian cooking and Ayurvedic medicine.
3. Marjoram
Marjoram is probably the most frequently confused herb with oregano, since they both belong to the mint family. Sweet marjoram has tender green leaves and a delicate flavor. The leaves are smaller and rounder than oregano’s.
Marjoram has hints of pine and citrus versus oregano’s earthy, robust profile. Subtle marjoram works well in salads, eggs, and vegetable dishes. Oregano pairs better with meats.
4. Winter Savory
As a close relative to oregano, winter savory naturally looks very similar. However, it has skinnier, darker green leaves than oregano. Winter savory is a perennial, hardy herb that can survive cold weather.
Its flavor is more peppery and less sweet than oregano. The two work nicely together to add depth of flavor in stews, marinades, and stuffings. But winter savory should be used sparingly as it can be quite potent.
5. Thyme
With its tiny gray-green leaves growing on woody stems, thyme bears a resemblance to some oregano varieties at first glance. However, thyme leaves are much smaller, thinner, and curlier than oregano’s.
Thyme provides a gentle lemony flavor compared to oregano’s boldness. It works well in chicken, fish, soups, and sauces. Oregano is better for red meats and hearty vegetable dishes.
6. Hyssop
Hyssop is an attractive, flowering herb with leaves that look similar to oregano. However, hyssop leaves are slightly thicker, darker green, and glossier. Hyssop grows in bunches, while oregano stems branch out.
Sometimes called the “holy herb,” hyssop has a gently bitter, minty taste that is great with fruits, liquors, or in tea. It is not a substitute for oregano’s warm, aromatic flavor.
7. Basil
Sweet Italian basil can be mistaken for oregano at a glance due to its large green leaves. But basil leaves are smooth, silky, and have a distinctive pointed shape compared to oregano’s rounded, fuzzy leaves. Dried basil also lacks oregano’s hearty texture.
Of course, oregano and basil are worlds apart in terms of taste. Basil brings sweet, refreshing notes to tomatoes, cheeses, and Italian food. Oregano is savory and pairs well with chili, lamb, and eggplant.
8. Self-heal
This medicinal plant has leaves that resemble a miniature version of oregano. However, self-heal leaves are much smaller and grow in clusters low to the ground. The purplish flowers are another giveaway.
Self-heal has an intense, celery-like flavor. It was traditionally used to treat wounds and swelling when eaten. Oregano has no notable medicinal properties but tastes great in food.
9. Lavender
At first glance, lavender leaves look similar to oregano, perhaps because both are associated with purple flowers. But lavender leaves are gray-green, slender, and pointed, with a felt-like texture. They cling tightly to the woody base of lavender plants.
Lavender’s well-known floral taste and aroma differs enormously from zesty oregano. Lavender enhances desserts, teas, and aromatherapy treatments, while oregano brings out the best in hearty meals.
10. Wild Marjoram
Eurasian natives may be tricked by wild marjoram, also known as oregano marjoram. This plant has much fuzzier leaves than common oregano. The milder, sweeter taste makes wild marjoram more suitable for salads and light foods.
In the end, nothing can quite mimic the woodsy, warming punch of true oregano. Once you learn to identify it correctly, you can embrace cooking with its full flavor and health benefits.
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There are also ornamental oreganos like Origanum “Kent Beauty” and Hopley’s Purple Oregano. Hopley’s Purple Oregano is a type of Origanum laevigatum that is grown as an ornamental plant for its scent and for its milder-tasting leaves that can be eaten. It is well-suited for hot and dry climates. Then there are “oreganos” that aren’t really oregano plants because they’re not in the Origanum genus, but they can be used in cooking in the same way that real oreganos can.
Common Types of Oregano
True oregano plant varieties are members of the Origanum genus within the mint family. Different plants are used in different parts of the world for cooking and are called “oregano,” but they are not in this genus.
You can enjoy oregano grown at home no matter where you live because it can be grown indoors, outdoors in pots, or in the ground, and different types of oregano do better in different climates.
Origanum vulgare: This is the species most commonly known as oregano. Its best known variety is Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum). This is the well-known herb that is used on pizza and in tomato sauces. It is also called true oregano or Italian oregano. The best place to plant it outside is in a sunny spot with well-drained soil in zones 5 to 10.
Golden oregano: (Origanum vulgare var. aureum) is an edible variety with gold colored foliage.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is commonly used in southern European and Middle Eastern recipes. Its flavor is similar to that of Greek oregano, but milder and less spicy.
Origanum syriacum, also known as Syrian oregano, and Origanum maru are two other types of oregano that are often used in za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice mix. It is a perennial plant that is usually picked from the wild, but it can also be grown outside in warm, dry places.
5 Types of Oregano
Are there different types of oregano?
Trying different kinds of oregano is a great way to add interest to your garden and your cooking. True oregano plant varieties are members of the Origanum genus within the mint family. There are several other plants known as “oregano” that are used in international cooking but are not members of this genus.
What is the spiciest oregano plant?
It is the spiciest herb of other types of oregano plants. Pot marjoram belongs to the mint family and it is a plant that looks like oregano. The tender perennial herb thrives in cooler climates. It is mostly grown as an annual or undercover. The pretty flowers help attract butterflies to enhance pollination.
Are there ornamental oreganos?
There are also ornamental oreganos like Origanum “Kent Beauty” and Hopley’s Purple Oregano. Hopley’s Purple Oregano is a variety of Origanum laevigatum used both as a fragrant ornamental plant and for its edible leaves, which have a milder flavor than Greek oregano. It is well-suited for hot and dry climates.
What does oregano taste like?
Oregano is native to the Mediterranean region and has been used in cooking for centuries. The leaves of the plant are what are most commonly used in recipes, but the flowers and stems can also be used. Oregano leaves have a strong, pungent flavor that goes well in a variety of dishes. 1. Common Oregano (Origanum vulgare) What is common oregano?