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Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan
"Cilantro" is the Spanish word, yes.
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Thanks for confirming that!
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For me, there's neither "Mexican" not "Mediterranean" Oregano. "Orégano" is an herb itself, not a mix.
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??? They're not mixes. They are clearly very different herbs/plants, that share a name. They absolutely don't taste or smell the same.
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Originally Posted by CRussel
As someone who cooks a LOT of Mexican or Southwest Mex, I can tell you that "Mexican Oregano" is a critical ingredient. You're right, it's a very different herb from Turkish or Greek Oregano, and I use far more of it as a result.  I have a pot of oregano on my deck, and it's somewhat closer to the Mediterranean version, though I think it's a third variant that grows mostly wild here in coastal BC. If I could find a source for seedlings of the Mexican variety, I'd try them, but I suspect they're at best an annual here. |
AH-hah! I knew that they weren't the same. Of course, I wasn't curious enough to investigate, other than buying both "versions" or "variants" or whatever.
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Originally Posted by BetterRed
Yep, Mexican Oregano is a verbena and native to North/Central America, whereas the Mediterranean Oregano varieties are members of the mint family.
BR
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Well, thanks for that, Red!
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Originally Posted by BetterRed
I always read it as Cilento and wonder why it was named after Diane (one of Sean Connery's wives)  |
snort.
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At least three distinct "Mediterranean" oregano varieties are sold here - Greek, Syrian (sometimes sold as za'atar thyme), and French. The first two are imported, I buy them in cellophane wrapped dried bunches; the third is always fresh with pink flowers and yellowish leaves - and hard to get.
Maybe there's a Spanish oregano 
BR
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Dunno. Fresh herbs are a bit of a treasure hunt here, other than the ubiquitous parsley, etc., that you can find in the greengrocer's section at the store. Unlike some of my more "foodie" neighbors, I'm not willing to brave the 100F heat to go find unusual fresh herbs at the various Farmer's Markets around town.