How do you harvest and dry cuban oregano

To dry fresh oregano trim the plant in the morning (this is when the leaves are the most fragrant) Wash well, drain. Then wrap them in a towel to remove most of the moisture. Transfer to drying racks for a couple of days.

Your herbs will dry in 2 to 3 days; fleshier herbs, like Cuban oregano, will take longer. Once herbs are dry, store them in your pantry or out of direct light in airtight freezer bags or any airtight jar.

But the best use of fresh Cuban oregano is in Caribbean recipes. Because the leaves are best used fresh, they can be put in a blender with other ingredients for a tangy marinade or chopped for a salsa, sautéed with garlic to flavor a pot of black beans or dipped in a light batter and fried.

Tips on Drying Oregano

You may pull off the tiny leaves and dry them separately or dry the entire stem and then crumble off the crisp leaves. Bundle the stems together and hang them upside down to dry oregano in a dark, dry spot.

Dried ground herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano last for 2-3 years. If they are dried and stored in their natural, whole form (e.g., basil or bay leaves), then they should last a little longer, about 3-4 years. Most seeds like anise seeds have a shelf life of 4 years.

Besides flavoring the errant steak sandwich, Cuban oregano is an excellent addition to stuffings, stews and soups. It goes well with strong-flavored meats such as venison, pheasant and lamb. The leaves can be steamed and served as a vegetable, which is popular in Southeast Asia.

Cuban oregano isn’t actually oregano, or even mint, thyme, or borage. It is an herb that is perennial in tropical regions but most commonly grown as a container plant elsewhere. It has fragrant, velvety leaves edged in white, and trumpet-shape flowers in pink, white, and lavender.

Cuban oregano leaves can be used just like regular oreganos. … The leaves may be dried and crushed to add to meat dishes. Fresh leaves, in small amounts, are used in soups and stews, and in stuffing for poultry and other meat. Be cautious, as the plant is very strongly flavored and can overpower other seasonings.

Oregano poisoning is usually a mild condition caused by the consumption or ingestion of an oregano plant or the oregano herb. Although this spice is not very toxic, it may still cause intense digestive disturbances in your pet, including vomiting and diarrhea.

Description/Taste

The leaves are green and serrated along the edges, though some varieties have a variegated color and more deeply-toothed margins. Cuban oregano has a strong, pungent and musky aroma, with a flavor profile that is similar to traditional Italian oregano with a hint of thyme.

Prune and shape to keep it tamed – Cuban Oregano’s habit, while not invasive at all, can be somewhat sprawly. Cuban Oregano won’t survive a winter outdoors here, but protected in a container over the winter, may survive to thrive again. This herb is a winner!

Start the root structure

If you aren’t using a growth hormone, you’ll want to establish a root structure before planting in soil. To do this, you can place your oregano plant in a glass of water, with the 2″ of bare stem fully submerged. After a 3-4 weeks you should start seeing roots sprouting out of the stem!

Cuban oregano is not considered toxic to humans or pets.