Oregano comes from the hilly landscape of Greece and was called "joy in the mountain" by the local Greeks. Today, this aromatic herb is grown around the world and used abundantly in several kitchens. It's an almost inevitable ingredient in Greek, Italian, and South Asian dishes.
Oregano is closely related to sweet marjoram, another extremely popular herb. As a result, the plants are also called wild marjoram. Around 36 oregano varieties are currently grown worldwide. It is a perennial plant that blooms twice a year in summer and fall.
Planting this herb in your garden will ensure a continuous supply all year round. The herb gives some of our favorite dishes, including pasta, omelets, fried potatoes, tomato dishes, lentils, kebabs and pizza, a special taste and aroma.
To maintain a steady supply and promote healthy growth, it is important to harvest oregano properly. We have all of the tips you need about harvesting oregano. Scroll down to learn how to properly harvest and store oregano!
When should I harvest oregano?
Let's see how to properly harvest oregano! Source: NoCoLocalFood
If you have an established piece of well-growing oregano in your herb garden, or if you have oregano in a container, late spring or early summer is a good time to pick leaves. However, if your plant is not ripe, you will have to wait a while for your plants to grow and be ready for harvest. You can start harvesting your oregano plant once the stems are at least 4 to 5 inches tall.
The best time to harvest oregano is just before flowering. At this point the plant has developed its highest concentration of essential oils. The taste is strong, strong, and at its peak at this point.
However, you don't have to wait for the bloom to prepare. Like all herbs, oregano can be harvested over and over again. Just take leaves from the plant as required for fresh use. And as the flowering begins to shift, this is an excellent time to harvest for later drying and long term storage!
The time of day you choose to harvest is also important in taste. Generally, it is recommended to collect stems or leaves early in the morning. You don't even have to wait for the dew to dry on the leaves.
Keep in mind that oregano plants take around 2 to 3 weeks to regrow their foliage. Avoid harvesting everything at once. The better approach is to harvest your plants regularly and ingest small amounts when needed. This way you can always enjoy fresh herbs.
How to harvest oregano
No matter what type of oregano you grow, the harvest will be the same. Source: yummysmellsca
Harvesting oregano is easy. How you harvest depends on how you plan to use it. There are two simple methods you can try depending on whether you want to use your oregano right away or save it for later use.
Avoid consuming more than 1/3 of the oregano plant at a time, regardless of whether you are harvesting for fresh use or for storage. If you prune the plant too much while harvesting oregano, there may be problems producing new growth.
Choose a stem that is at least 6 to 8 inches tall. Grab it with one hand about 2/3 of the way down the stem to keep it steady. With the other hand, slide your fingers up the length of the stem to take the leaves in your hand and leave the bare stem behind. When you've harvested the leaves, cut the bare stem just above a leaf knot to allow the plant to regenerate.
If you want the stems too, you can cut them about 2/3 the way down, harvesting both stems and green leaves in the process. This is a better option if you plan to dry your herbs later as you can tie the stems together to dry. Remember that oregano leaves lose some of their flavor for a short time once the plant blooms. For drying, you want the plants to be filled with essential oil. So harvest before flowers appear.
Use secateurs or scissors to prune back just above the leaf knot, also known as a growth knot. The growth node is where the leaves begin to grow. If you cut the stems just above the growth node, the plant will be bushier. This is good if you want to harvest new growth later. For drying purposes, it is best to choose longer stems as these are easier to hang up to dry.
How to store fresh oregano
Oregano grows relatively quickly and has great taste. Source: rplessl
Fresh herbs will last longer in colder temperatures, which means cooling your abundant harvest can help extend its lifespan. However, there are several ways to store oregano in the refrigerator. Let's take a look at the main methods of storing fresh leaves.
Store in the water
If you only plan to keep your harvested oregano for a day or two, it is best to keep cut stems in a glass or jar filled with water. This simple trick will keep them from wilting and keeping their flavor until you need them to prepare food.
Harvest longer stems and cut just above a leaf knot. Place the cut ends in a glass or jar filled with 1 to 1.5 inches of water. Make sure the stem ends stay submerged. Cover the oregano with a plastic bag to help maintain moisture levels around the leaves. Change the water daily to make sure it stays well until you use it.
It is not necessary to wash the leaves before storage. You can rinse them off right before using them in your favorite dish.
Store in pockets
The second method is just as easy as the first. Herbs stored this way may last a little longer than the other method, sometimes up to a week.
Gather the harvested stems into a bundle and wrap them loosely in a damp paper towel. Make sure the paper towel is just damp to the touch and not dripping wet. Place the wrapped bundle in a plastic bag, squeeze out any excess air, and store your herbs in the sharper drawer in the refrigerator.
If you only want to keep them for a day or so, you can put the herbs in a paper bag and skip the damp paper towel. Remember, they won't last that long.
Check your herbs every few days to make sure they aren't withering or developing mold.
How to dry oregano
Drying oregano leaves is easily the best way to save your crop for long term use. The drying process is simple and multiple methods, and dried oregano can take up to a year to complete. It may lose some of its taste afterwards, but it can still be used for a while.
There are several ways to dry oregano. While you can certainly use a dehydrator or oven to dry the leaves, using high heat can cause a loss of flavor. For the most intense flavor when you prepare your food later, drying is best. You can also use a dehumidifier if it has no heat.
Hang-drying oregano
Wash the harvested oregano stalks and dry them thoroughly, dabbing off the moisture with paper towels. Once completely dry, tie the stems together in a bundle with an elastic band or string. Hang the bundle upside down in a paper bag in a well-ventilated place. If you are drying multiple grapes at once, hang them at least 6 inches apart to allow proper air circulation.
Oregano usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to dry. You will know your dried oregano is ready as soon as the leaves start to crumble to the touch. Open the bundle and separate the dried twigs. Mash the leaves or place them whole in an airtight jar.
Don't forget to cure your dried oregano before long-term storage! To cure oregano, shake the jar to mix the dry leaves once a day. Put a moisture wicking packet in the oregano if you can. The pack absorbs excess moisture and prevents mold from forming when your herb is stored.
Other methods of storing oregano
If you don't want to dry oregano, you can also freeze it. Frozen oregano is best used within a year.
To freeze whole oregano leaves, wash them and pat them dry with paper towels. Once the surface moisture is dry, allow it to air dry until there is no residual moisture. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Once they are completely frozen, place them in a freezer bag and remove any excess air.
You can also make cubes of oregano. Finely chop your leaves and place them in ice cube trays. Add just enough liquid (either H2O or a broth) to make sure the oregano stays packed, then freeze overnight. Once the solid is frozen, place it in a plastic freezer bag.
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