Oregano is one of my favorite things to grow and harvest. Since it is a perennial, I don’t have to worry about planting it every year and it grows so vigorously that it chokes any weeds that try to “invade its space”.
To harvest it, we simply cut the entire stem. It then goes immediately into the dehydrator (set at 95F) for a day or so.
Wearing latex gloves, we slide our fingers down the stem and the dried leaves come right off. The leaves are packaged in Zip-Loc bags which then are stored in a cool dark place to preserve the flavor and the wonderful bright green color.
I use a lot of oregano when I cook and let me tell you, store boughten oregano is not even in the same league as this stuff!
Bob
Have you ever grown Puerto Rican oregano? That’s a really neat looking plant. The leaves are like a succulent, fat, and rubbery. Really, really pungent stuff though.
Comment by Ria — July 7, 2007 @ 9:40 am
Any fresh herb or spice you can get your hands on is better than the store-bought stuff. Pitch those red-and-white cans while you have the peace of mind to do so!
Comment by LunaPierCook — July 9, 2007 @ 5:03 am
Essential oil of oregano is like zillions times more effective at killing germs as the leading toxic chemical cleaner.
What about fresh oregano?
Comment by victoria mcintyre — July 9, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
Ria,
We have never grown Puerto Rican oregano, it sounds intriguing!
Comment by Bob — July 9, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
Dave, (LunaPierCook)
Right you are! Come to think of it, that’s true of many food products. Actually we should be thankful that we live in a time when so many spices, herbs, foods and flavors are so easily available to us. Look at Chris Columbus way back in 1492, wasn’t we looking for a more direct route to some “Spice Islands”? He was willing to sail half way around the world for exotic spices, while we just go to the local grocery store with out even thinking about it… Wow, have I gotten off the subject or what? Dave’s comments always makes me do that!
Comment by Bob — July 9, 2007 @ 10:25 pm
Victoria,
I’m not sure how much germ killing power your regular “garden variety” oregano has. I willing to bet that Ria’s Puerto Rican oregano will kill some microbes though!
Comment by Bob — July 9, 2007 @ 10:30 pm