This article was co-authored by Don Tipping and by How.com.vn staff writer, Hannah Madden. Don Tipping is an Organic Farmer based in Williams, Oregon. With almost 30 years of full-time experience with organic farming, Don owns and operates a mail-order seed company, Siskiyou Seeds, which is a bio-regional seed hub. He specializes in growing crops, including vegetables, flowers, medicinal and culinary herbs, and seed crops. Don is a member of the Organic Seed Alliance and has a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) from the University of California, Davis.
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The pungent yet slightly bitter taste of oregano is sure to add flavor to any dish or drink you put it in. Harvesting your own oregano at home ensures you get the freshest, best-tasting herb that’s out there, and picking it yourself is super easy. Keep reading to learn how you can harvest your oregano throughout the growing season for a delicious addition to your kitchen.
Steps
How do you harvest oregano without killing the plant?
- Snip off a few shoots about 2/3 of the way down the plant. Use sharp scissors or a pruner to clip the stem about 2/3 of the way down. Oregano is pretty tough to kill, so don’t worry about being super gentle.[3]
- Strip the leaves off with your hands. Grab a stem in one hand and hold it in place. Use 2 of your fingers to gently stroke the stem and scrape all the leaves off. When you’re done, collect the leaves and throw the stem into your compost or trash.[4]
Is oregano better fresh or dried?
- Use fresh oregano for the best flavor. Fresh herbs are always going to taste better than their dried counterparts. If you want to really taste the flavor of oregano, harvest it right before you’re about to use it.[8]
- Dry oregano if you want to save it. Fresh oregano doesn’t last very long. If you want to keep it around, rinse the leaves off with cool water first.[9] Then, spread the leaves on a paper towel in a single layer. Place the leaves in the oven, but keep the oven turned off, and leave them there overnight. When the leaves are dry and crumbly, transfer them to an airtight container.[10]
- You can also dry oregano leaves in a dehydrator if you have one.
- Keep the leaves in a cool, dark place, like your kitchen pantry.
How do you use fresh oregano?
- Add it to chicken for a delicious flavor profile. Oregano and chicken are a match made in heaven. No matter how you make it—roasted, baked, grilled, or poached—chopped oregano can make it even tastier. Try adding it to your marinade or stuffing springs inside of a whole chicken.[11]
- Mix it in with beef for amazing burgers. Give your BBQ a little extra oomph this summer. As you mix up your meat, throw some chopped oregano in before you cook up the patties. Your guests will wonder how you managed to add such amazing flavor to a delicious burger.[12]
- Try a bit of oregano in your pesto. While basil is usually the star of the show in this dish, adding oregano can make it taste even better. Chop some fresh oregano and add it into your pesto, then drizzle it over pasta, salad, or flatbread.[13]
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References
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-growing-oregano-220612
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/herbs/oregano
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-growing-oregano-220612
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-growing-oregano-220612
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/herbs/oregano
- ↑ https://www.globalseednetwork.org/seed-tips-detail.php?id=42
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-growing-oregano-220612
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/herbs/oregano
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/your-guide-to-storing-fresh-herbs-in-the-fridge-231412
- ↑ https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/herbs.html
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-use-fresh-oregano-from-your-garden-ingredient-spotlight-191094
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-use-fresh-oregano-from-your-garden-ingredient-spotlight-191094
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-use-fresh-oregano-from-your-garden-ingredient-spotlight-191094
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