What is Marjoram Spice & how to use it?
Marjoram might not be the most popular of herbs; it ranks sixth in market trade after oregano, laurel, rosemary, basil, and sage. Yet, it’s one of the most prized in Mediterranean cooking. Nothing beats the herb’s sweet, floral, and pine flavors with citrus hints, and its warm personality.
The largest marjoram producing country is Egypt, although the herb is native to the entire Mediterranean Basin and Arabic Peninsula. Europe imports 65% of the marjoram produced, and North America imports 35% of it; the little that’s left is consumed locally in the producing countries.
Why is marjoram so popular? How is it used? And most importantly, is it good for you? Here’s all you need to know about marjoram, what is marjoram spice, and all its benefits.
What is Marjoram?
Marjoram is a perennial herb which means it lives for over two years. It’s part of the Oregano family, and its name quite literally means the major or the “best.”
Both Ancient Greeks and Romans enjoyed seasoning their food with marjoram, and they associated it with happiness. It was even supposedly used in love potions — and we agree.
Marjoram adds flavor to stews, soups, sauces, salad dressings, and even herbal teas. It’s part of the famous French herbs de Provence, and it’s widely used in traditional Italian cooking, including pizzas.
There are over 40 species of marjoram, though. Still, according to the experts, the two most common are the sweet marjoram, one related to mint found worldwide, and the European or wild variety that shares similarities with the resiny oregano.
Marjoram Health Benefits
Marjoram’s place is in the kitchen, both as a fresh herb or as a dried and powdered spice. Yet, the herb has notable health advantages. Here are marjoram’s most significant health benefits.
- Marjoram is a potent antioxidant. A compound present in the herb, carvacrol, can deal with damaging free radicals caused by oxidative stress and responsible for cell degeneration, heart disease, and premature aging.
- There’s enough clinical evidence to prove marjoram’s anti-inflammatory properties that can counter chronic inflammation, which eventually leads to hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer.
- Marjoram’s active compounds have antimicrobial properties and can treat bacterial infections and fungal diseases.
- Marjoram’s warm taste is excellent for stomach aches and gastrointestinal illness and can help protect you from stomach ulcers.
- Interestingly, marjoram is used in traditional medicine to treat menopause symptoms, regulate the menstrual cycle, and increase menstrual flow.
- As you’ll read below, marjoram is a nutrient-rich herb, putting it in the superfood category.
Marjoram Nutritional Value
Nutritionally, the Mediterranean herb is quite complex, making it ideal to use often in your cooking.
100 grams of the powdered herb comprises 60 grams of carbohydrates in the form of fiber and sugar, 7 grams of mono-unsaturated fat, and 12 grams of protein, making it stand out amongst other cooking herbs.
Marjoram is a fantastic source for Vitamin A, covering 45% of your daily recommended intake, Vitamin B1, or thiamine, with 22%, vitamin B12, or riboflavin, with 21%, and astonishing levels of vitamin B6 with 92% and Vitamin C with 86%.
There’s more because marjoram adds six times the amount of vitamin K and iron you need and two times the amount your body needs for calcium for the day.
Magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc are well represented, too, making marjoram one of the most nutrient-rich cooking herbs on the planet.
How To Cook With Marjoram
Marjoram’s unique aroma is compatible with slow-cooked meat and tomato sauces. It flavors stews and broths all around Europe and the Middle East as well, but there’s no wrong way of using marjoram for cooking.
The herb is milder than oregano, so it’s less likely it’ll overpower the flavors in a preparation. When fresh, you can add it at the end of the cooking process to add aromatics, color, and freshness to any dish; when dried, mostly known as marjoram spice, you can use it in marinades or to flavor food while on the fire.
What are substitutes for marjoram? If you can’t find marjoram, your safest bet is using dried oregano, but use less of it since oregano is more intensely aromatic. The good news is that marjoram is widely available, mostly when dried, and you won’t have a hard time finding it or using it all!
If You’re Not Cooking With Marjoram Yet, Don’t Wait!
Marjoram is one of those ingredients the finest chefs keep close to their hearts; it’s a secret ingredient and the difference between a restaurant-quality dish and a so-so meal.
Using marjoram adds an extra layer of flavor and aroma to food in a subtle and very pleasing way like no other herb can do. Try it and make it part of your secret seasoning, and whatever you do, don’t reveal it. It stays between you, us, and marjoram. Be sure to check out curated, hand picked Marjoram products at our curated shop.
Highly Rated – Social Media Chatter on Marjoram
JANUARY ✨🌱🐺🌕
January… for some it feels like a fresh new start and for others it’s an anti climax after the buzzing holiday season. Many of us like to start healthy routines and set some new exciting goals for the coming year. What do you love most about January? Here are some correspondences and celebrations for the month of January.
Content and graphic design alicethestarseedwitch
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#January #hellojanuary #winterishere #welcomejanuary #newyear #lunarnewyear #yearofthedragon #snowdrops #marjoram #protectionspell #garnet #wolfmoon #manifesting #capricornseason #aquariusseason
「爽やかな初夏の北杜路ツアー」
with
109_cafe_style さん（師匠）
tomomon812 さん（むらっしーさん）
Boulangerie NODAさんで、かわいいパンを買ったあとは、お楽しみのランチ♡
今回は、むらっしーさんが「美味しいパスタ屋さんがある」と聞きつけて即採用の「パスタ&ピザガーデンマジョラム」さんへ
kobuchizawamarjoram
師匠が予約をしてくださったおかげで、スルスルっと店内へ
むらっしーさんが「カルボナーラがおいしいらしいよ」と言っているにもかかわらず、師匠と私は「ベルデューラ」をチョイス（笑）
そして、本日私たちの担当の（まるで、専属のような言い方）研修中の小林くんは、ハキハキとかわいい声で、菅田将暉似（私はピンときた）
オーダーにくれば「飲み物変更したい場合は、どうなるの？」
前菜を出せば「この葉っぱみたいなの何だろう」
しまいにはレジをしてくれた小林くんに「がんばってねー」…と
絡みに絡むイケカワ男子に弱いご婦人方（爆笑）
小林くん「あちらのテーブル行くのいやだ」と言わなくてよかった（笑）
さて、パスタですが、もっちりとしていて、濃厚で食べ応えあり
「とても食べきれないわぁ…半分でいいわぁ」と言いながら、完食（笑）
とても美味しかったです（笑）
今度は、小林くんの成長ぶりを楽しみにしながらカルボナーラ食べに行こう（笑）
#山梨グルメ#山梨ランチ#山梨カフェ#山梨パスタ#北杜市カフェ #北杜市グルメ #北杜市ランチ #北杜市小淵沢町#パスタ#スパゲッティ#ゲッティ#pasta#pizza #八ヶ岳#八ヶ岳南麓#イタリアン#イタリア料理#イタリア料理店#パスタアンドピザガーデンマジョラム #研修中#菅田将暉似#カルボナーラ#ベルデューラ#アイスティー#お腹いっぱい#marjoram#ランチタイム#lunchtime#小淵沢グルメ #小淵沢ランチ
Bem-vindo Março!
Março chegou com tudo, trazendo promoções e novidades incríveis para você:
🌿 Também chamada de “alegria das montanhas” a Manjerona era conhecida entre os gregos e romanos como um símbolo de felicidade! Esse incrível óleo essencial e o nosso produto do mês. Use o seu dia a dia:
- Esfregue uma gota na nuca para diminuir a sensação de estresse cotidiano
- Aplique diluído nos pés em dias agitados
- Difunda para uma sensação de felicidade
- Aplicar antes e depois de exercícios
Faça seus pedidos até o dia 15/03 de 125pv ou mais e ganhe esse óleo incrível!
Sources:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/marjoram-substitutes-1388873
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origanum_majorana
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjoram
- https://www.rxlist.com/marjoram/supplements.htm
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/marjoram
- http://www.herbexpert.co.uk/cooking-with-marjoram.html
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-marjoram-learn-how-to-cook-with-marjoram-plus-7-marjoram-recipes
- https://www.helpwithcooking.com/herb-guide/marjoram.html
- https://worldspicecongress.com/uploads/files/24/sess01-f.pdf
Marjoram spice seems really good and I would like to buy it for myself seeing how much it can help a person with health issues. I have been research good spices for myself that I can start using in my business. I like that this herb is eternal and it lives forever. I’m definitely buying this.
Thanks Suz. Marjoram spice is an interesting one.