Exotic Flora Marjoram/Origanum Majorana – Herbs

Marjoram/Origanum majorana is a cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavors. In some Middle Eastern countries, marjoram is synonymous with oregano and the names sweet marjoram and knotted marjoram are used to distinguish it from other plants of the genus Origanum. Marjoram is cultivated for its aromatic leaves, either green or dry, for culinary purposes; the tops are cut as the plants begin to flower and are dried slowly in the shade. It is often used in herb combinations. The flowering leaves and tops of marjoram are steam-distilled to produce an essential oil that is yellowish in color. It has many chemical components, some of which are borneol, camphor, and pinene.