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Oregano used to have magical purpose. It belonged to the so-called "St. John's flowers" picked on St. John's day, which were aimed at protecting against various human and animal diseases. It helped as folk songs suggest to win a lover's heart.
In our cuisine it is slightly forgotten, although grown in the wild. It is a perennial plant with a reddish stalk, about ½ metres high. Oval leaves, small, light-crimson or white flowers constitute inflorescenses in the form of panicle. It belongs to honey-yielding plants.
It is a curative plant. It contains mainly ethereal oil (thymol), tannins and bitter substances.
Dried leaves and inflorescences, which come from the Mediterranean region, constitue the seasoning. Oregano is distinguished by a pleasant, delicate, spicy fragrance, and a slightly bitter taste. It has dietetic and appetitive properties that help in digestion. It is used for seasoning vegetables, cheese, fish and crabs. It is added to meat seasonings, sauces and thick soups. It is considered to be the main seasoning in Italian, Spanish and Mexican cuisines. It is also a basic seasoning for pizza and spaghetti.
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