What makes oregano bitter

As with many other spices, you have several tricks at your disposal that you can use to correct overuse. Add acidity Acidic notes can help to balance overly strong herbal notes.

Lemon or lime juice may work in some dishes. In others, a dollop of yogurt or sour cream may provide what is needed. If the oregano is cooked too long, you run the risk of having it become bitter. Similarly, if dried oregano is used in dishes in too large of quantities, it may impart a medicine-like flavor rather than a pleasant herbal taste.

Oregano has a slight bitterness even when it is used in moderation. When too much oregano is used, the bitterness rushes to the forefront and can overwhelm all the other flavors. Balance the Flavor Rosemary has a bitter flavor, so the first step is to balance this with some sweetness.

Try honey, a date paste, or fruit such as chopped raisins, depending on the dish. Adding some savory umami taste can balance too much rosemary. If you find the sauce is too acidic afterwards, add sugar — just a light sprinkle at a time — until its taste is balanced again. Adding small, rather than large, amounts of oregano in its dried form to a variety of foods, such as pizza, pasta sauces, salad dressings, soups, stews and Mediterranean, egg, tomato or cheese-based meals, can enhance the taste of your cooked dishes.

It's usually best though to add dried oregano near the end of the cooking time. If the oregano is cooked too long, you run the risk of having it become bitter. Similarly, if dried oregano is used in dishes in too large of quantities, it may impart a medicine-like flavor rather than a pleasant herbal taste. When cooking with the dried type of oregano, try to add a small amount near the end of cooking, then check for flavor and use a little more if necessary.

A great tip to use before adding dried oregano to dishes is to roll the herb pieces between your fingers to release the natural oils. Doing this can add even more flavor to your dishes. Oregano is greatly influenced by its environment. Oregano grown in cooler northern climates tends to be more bitter. Italian or Sicilian oregano is known for its sweet and spicy notes and is thought to be a hybrid of true oregano and marjoram.

Oregano first became popular in the U. When buying oregano, look for bright green leaves. It can be refrigerated in a plastic bag for up to a week. We only have a few days left in our first herb guide.