When you should not cut oregano.

The famous Mediterranean cuisine, especially in Greece, simply cannot do without oregano. The Greeks put is almost everywhere. It is also popular in Europe and indeed around the world. In ancient times it was widely used in medicine but not so much for cooking, but the trend has changed a lot and oregano is now grown by many gardeners.

Growing oregano

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) belongs to the Asteraceae family. Oregano loves light soil and sunny locations. It is a perennial and you can grow it in your garden, but also on a rockery. It has many health benefits and it also attracts butterflies, which are increasingly rare. So, you should let it bloom too. If you use it for cooking you need to cut it properly. We shall tell you how in the following lines.

Harvesting

The herb offers the highest content of essential oils around noon on a dry day, so you should cut around this time. You may cut entire branches above woody parts, i.e. at the point where the leaves begin. Cut stems just before flowering. You may also clip off the top shoots only. This will delay flowering and the bush will branch out better creating a nice full bush.

Photo: Pixabay

Drying

Tie whole twigs together and hang them in a shady, airy place. Store dried leaves in a dark, airtight container. To preserve as many aromatic substances as possible, remove leaves from twigs just before use. Leaves retain the unique aroma and flavour much longer.

Source:

https://www.zahrada-centrum.cz/clanky/460-idealni-cas-na-sklizen-dobromysli-oregana

https://kuchynelidlu.cz/clanek/oregano-specialni-chut-nejen-recke-kuchyne

https://www.igurmet.cz/recepty/salaty/zeleninove/salat-fatus-6437/

Preview photo: Pixabay