Marjoram

Sweet Marjoram

Marjoram is a herb that grows as a small shrub, reaching up to 2 feet tall (60 cm.) It's part of the mint family.

It is closely related to oregano, but the plant is less hardy than oregano bushes, and it has a milder flavour, tasting a bit more like a combination of thyme and oregano.

The soft leaves are a grey-green colour.

Marjoram is used a lot commercially in making sausages.

Cooking Tips for Marjoram

The leaves can be used whole fresh, or dried and ground. It makes a really nice seasoning for bean and vegetable dishes, as well as for poultry, lamb and fish. Add near the end of cooking.

Substitutes for Marjoram

Oregano

Equivalents for Marjoram

1 tablespoon fresh, chopped = 1 teaspoon dried

History Notes for Marjoram

Marjoram was sacred to Egyptians; they would use it in their temples.

The Romans would sometimes make marriages crowns for brides and grooms out of Marjoram, and would plant it on the graves of loved ones.

Literature & Lore about Marjoram

"Here's flowers for you; Hot lavender, mints, savoury, Marjoram." -- Perdita. The Winter's Tale. Act IV, Scene 4. Shakespeare.

"Indeed, sir, she was the sweet Marjoram of the salad, or rather, the herb of grace." -- Clown. All's Well That Ends Well. Act IV, Scene 5. Shakespeare.

To Romans, it's name ("amaracum") was very similar to "amor", meaning love. Thus its association with love.

In the Victorian language of flowers, sprigs of Marjoram signified love.

Language Notes about Marjoram

From the Roman word, "amaracum", which in turn came from the Greek word "amarakos".

One of the German names for Marjoram, which is "Wurstkraut", refers to its being used a lot in making sausages (Wurst meaning sausage, and kraut meaning herb).

Marjoram is not the same as Wild Marjoram, which is in fact another name for oregano.

Recipe Suggestions

Pistachio Stuffed Mushrooms, Polpettone di Fagiolini

Also called:

Maiorana hortensis, Origanum majorana (Scientific Name); Marjolaine (French); Majoran, Wurstkraut (German); Maggiorana (Italian); Mejorama, Mejorana (Spanish); Amaracum (Roman)

See Also: Oregano

Other entries for: Herbs
Angelica, Angostura Bark, Basil, Bay Leaf, Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Cress, Curry Leaves, Dill, Dried Herbs, Epazote, Fennel, Fenugreek, Filé, Folium Indicum, Greens, Gruit, Hops, Hyssop, Lavender, Loroco, Lovage, Marjoram, Mexican Tarragon, Mint, Mugwort Powder, Oregano, Parsley, Pennywort, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Salad Burnet, Sarsaparilla, Sassafrass, Savoury, Screw Pine Leaves, Shiso Leaves, Silphium, Sorrel, Tarragon, Thyme, Trefoil, Valerian, Wild Garlic, Winter Purslane, Yarrow, Yomogi