How Do You Properly Clean Oregano?

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Introducing Oregano

Oregano is an herb that you have already likely seen in a pantry, grocery store, or refrigerator. It is an essential herb to all sorts of cultures of cuisine and brings a pleasant kick to all sorts of different savory dishes.

One important aspect of oregano care is knowing how to handle it after it has been harvested. Whether you decide to use fresh oregano or dried oregano, it is very important to clean it first!

This article is going to go through some preliminary information about oregano plants, different ways that oregano can be used, and of course steps directing you towards perfectly cleaned oregano leaves!

What is an Oregano Plant?

Before we get started on how to properly clean your oregano sprigs, here’s a little refresher on what an oregano plant actually is! The most common oregano varieties are origanum vulgare and origanum majorana.

The vast majority of oregano plants are native to the Mediterranean region, though there are others that are native to western Asia. Many have become naturalized elsewhere in the world, like all over North America.

Oregano can happily grow outdoors all year round in USDA growing zones 4 through 10, but it can also be grown indoors through all the months of the year! We’ve got a great article on all it takes to grow oregano indoors here.

Oregano plants are usually covered in leaves that are dark, olive green, small, and ovular in shape. They grow in opposite pairs along thin stems, and the entire plant grows to be anywhere from a ground-hugging rosette to 2 feet in height.

Why should you Clean Oregano?

It’s always a good idea to clean any type of herb, fruit, vegetable, or raw meat that you either purchase from the store or that you grow in your garden or indoor herb garden.

When it comes to oregano – especially if it’s been growing outdoors – it’s important to give it a good clean before you use it. Since you can’t always monitor the plant, there’s a strong chance that it’s gotten a little dirty in some way or another.

Washing oregano is also a great way to ensure that there is no bacteria that is present on the plant before you decide to dry it or put it in a soup. No harm in preventing all the tummy aches that we can!

How do you Clean Oregano?

Cleaning oregano is a very simple task, but it may not be as straightforward as you think! There are some important things to note to make sure that you don’t bruise the plant or damage it in some way.

1. The first step is to harvest oregano sprigs. A great way to do this is by taking a small set of scissors and snipping away the sprigs that you’re keen to use.

2. The next step is to gently shake away any dust or dirt that may have gathered on the surface of the oregano leaves.

3. Bring the fresh oregano sprigs inside and lay them down beside the sink in a piece of paper towel. It is best to clean the leaves as soon as possible to prevent any bacteria build up.

4. The best type of tap to use to clean oregano is a spray nozzle. This is because the scattered droplets will be more gentle on the oregano leaves that a direct stream.

5. It is best to take the base of the oregano stem and tilt the sprig downwards. Gently use your hand to brush the oregano leaves downwards to clean the leaves. Then tilt it sideways and very gently do the same thing.

The idea behind this is to ensure that you aren’t going against the growth of the leaves as this could cause the leaves to fall off the oregano stem and down the sink drain.

6. Once you’ve washed all of the harvested sprigs, then it is time to let the water dry off. Lay down each sprig on a piece of parchment paper or a cookie sheet with enough space between them so that they’re not crowded.

From here, you can decide how you would like to use oregano! There are different methods for drying oregano or for making it into essential oil or oregano tea. Otherwise, you can use it fresh to garnish focaccia, pasta, soup, whatever you’d like!

How is Oregano Used?

There are a bunch of reasons to grow oregano. These herbs are incredible for their medicinal value, and have all sorts of applications in the kitchen as well.

Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano essential oil is an absolute superstar of a medicinal elixir. Oregano oil is antifungal, antibacterial, and has for a long time been part of herbal remedies and folk medicine.

Folks will often combine oregano oil with another carrier oil (like olive oil) and drop a couple of droplets into the ear to prevent and treat ear infections! Taking a couple drops on the tongue also help with an allergic reaction, and it helps alleviate food poisoning symptoms, too.

Oregano tea leaves combined with boiling water is also known to help alleviate flu symptoms and with digestion. Also, because of its antifungal properties, it helps fight pathogens in the gut that cause sicknesses.

Dry Oregano

Dry oregano is essential to any pantry collection of herbs and spice. This dried herb has a super punchy flavor and will add the needed kick to your soup, stew, or pasta sauce.

The drying process for oregano is also a super easy task to do! You can dry oregano on parchment paper on a baking sheet in the sunshine, or you can also dry it in the oven at low heat for many hours.

From here, it is best to store oregano in an airtight container to that it keeps for the longest, but it will also last for a super long time in a paper bag as well.

Fresh Oregano

Fresh oregano is a wonderful fresh herb to have on hand as well. It tends to have a more spicy and robust flavor than dry oregano does, and it’s a very aromatic herb as well. It can easily be added to any savory dish you can imagine. It also makes for a great ingredient for a marinade for raw meat like fish or poultry.

If you’re looking to store this fresh herb, the best way to do it is by taking a plastic bag or airtight container and lining it with a piece of paper towel before you put it in the fridge. This paper towel will help wick away any moisture that can cause browning.

FAQs

How much sun exposure should you give to an oregano plant?

Knowing that it is a Mediterranean herb, it isn’t too hard to guess that oregano is a sun loving creature. This means that your oregano herbs should be planted in an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Whereas many other herbs prefer some shade in the heat of the afternoon sun, oregano thrives in those conditions!

What is the ideal soil type to grow oregano in?

The best type of soil to grow oregano is going to be sandy loam. This is because the most important feature that the soil should have is proper drainage. Oregano will be super happy in soil that is sandy, light, and well draining.

How often should an oregano plant be watered?

A well established oregano plant is super drought tolerant, but younger plants require a lot more moisture to be happy. It is best to let the soil that oregano is growing in to dry out completely before watering it again.

The amount of times that happens in a week depends on the average temperature and amount on sun exposure the plant has received.

What is greek oregano?

The different regions that different oregano species grow in will effect how each one tastes. Whereas origanum vulgare tends to have a more bitter, peppery, and sweet flavor and aroma to it, greek oregano is a lot more savory and earthy.

Can you eat oregano flower buds?

Much like basil flowers, the flower buds of the oregano plant are edible and taste delicious. They’ll have a more delicate flavor and tend to be more aromatic, but they make for a beautiful garnish.

How can you use dried leaves of oregano?

Dried leaves of oregano are often kept in the pantry as an essential spice to incorporate to all sorts of savory dishes, like stew, soup, pasta dishes, and in marinades for different types of meat.

Does oregano help with an ear infection?