Forums > Specific Focus > Mexican Kitchen

Dorothy

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #1 of 7 (295 views)

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Me pudia ayudar? Qual es la diferecia entre...

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Does anyone know the difference between oregano criollo and oregano manojo?
I have a recipe for soup that calls for oregano criollo, but I'm not sure what that is or if it is sold in the U.S.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Katie

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Not much help, but...

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That is Creole Oregano. I've never heard of it myself, so I'm not sure what the exact difference would be, if there is one.

Ric

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 7 (284 views)

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I am not positive, but I believe oregano manojo is majoram (a mexicana friend of mind thinks this is the case) and she seemed to think that criollo is regular mexican oregano (which is NOT the same as the greek oregano that we buy in US stores. Mexican oregano is available at most healthfood stores and is about twice the cost.

Dorothy

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Yippee! We got the answer...

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We spoke to the person who gave us the recipe (she is in Mexico so it took a while to get a chance to talk with her).
The answer is
Oregano manojo is tomillo fresca (fresh thyme)
Oregano criollo is oregano fresca (fresh oregano)
Mil Gracia a todos por tanto ayuda!!!
saludos :-)

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Well guys...
Stuff called oregano is not always what it seems.
Oregano is really a plant called origanum sp.
there are many but they are mostly the same .
(marojam is an origanum sp.)
Then we have cuban oregano,coleus amboinicus, smells like oregano
(or linseed oil)and has succulent type leaves.
this is not very available commercially.
Next is Mexican oregano of which there are two that
I know of.
First is poliomentha longiflora. Its the stuff
you usually get when you buy "mexican oregano".
Its like originum sp. but much stronger.
Next is lippa graveolens, Its kinda like the above but different.
I dont like it as well as poliomentha.
The leaves of poliomentha are kinda fluffy like
tissue paper and lippa is more like tree leaves.
Cuban is very difficult to dry cause the leaves are like
succulents.
Not to sure I've shed any light on the subject.

S

Dorothy

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Hi Carlos,

Yes, you're right about where the recipe comes from. When I had the chance to call her, I asked my friend who gave me the recipe and who lives in southern Mexico what the (probably local) terms meant. She explained that for her oregano criollo means fresh oregano, and oregano manojo means fresh thyme. I've also heard these both called 'hierbas de olor' when used together in a recipe. Also I've had a Mexican friend say to me to put oregano in a recipe for Coloradito, and then say 'Oh whichever kind you like, but not both'. I guess in Mexico oregano may mean oregano or thyme. In the U.S. they never say oregano to refer to thyme.

Saludos!

carlos

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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I think that the recipe you have comes from the south of Mexico and there use to call Criollo to all the vegetable that grous on the land clouse to them, more fresh. I mean like organic herbs.
But I think that you colud cook your recipe whit the usefull oregano the diferece could be between fresh or died oregano.