Oaxacan Oregano

[oxbowfarm]

I have a Oaxacan cookbook that I like very much, but the author can be a bit vague about certain things.

One ingredient that is called for occasionally is Oaxacan Oregano. The author is quite specific in stating that Oaxacan oregano is a different plant than both Oregano AND Mexican Oregano. She doesn't give an alternate name in Spanish for the herb though, let alone a scientific name.

Does anyone know the species of this plant? I came up somewhat blank on a cursory Google.

[sb]

Hi, I found your post while doing the same search for the elusive Oaxacan oregano. All my searching has only led me to find that there is indeed a different type of oregano that is very regional and elusive and seems to be the holy grail for serious cooks. Using Mexican oregano (lippia graveolens) is your best bet when cooking recipes that call for the oaxacan type, some say to only use half of what the recipe calls for of the Mexican oregano to substitute for the Oaxacan. I grow the Mexican type and it is very resilient. If I ever get my hands on the Oaxacan one I'll make sure to let you know. I know of a person that has it in Mexico and I'm tempted to jump into a plane to Mexico and smuggled some in... lol.. If you see a news story of a woman getting caught at the airport with a suspicious amount of oregano, that would be me .

[oxbowfarm]

A bit of tortured Googling and I came across a reference that called Oaxacan Oregano, orégano orejon, aka Wild marjoram- Plectranthus amboinicus. Whether or not this is correct I cannot say, but there you go.

[diane]

It is tropical, widely cultivated, has quite a few common names, is used in Vietnamese sour soup, added to wine and beer in India, and so on.

[jocelyn]

I've heard it called 'Spanish thyme', if that's any help.

[jocelyn]

Here is a seed source, large packets, I'm afraid, but you could probably freeze some or share some.

www.amazon.com/oregano-Spanish-Oregano-Puerto-Indian/dp/B01MRY1TMD