Marjoram facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marjoram |
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O. majorana
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| Origanum majorana |
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Marjoram (scientific name: Origanum majorana) is a lovely herb that smells and tastes a bit like sweet pine and citrus fruits. It's a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. Marjoram can be a small herb or a tiny bush.
In some countries in the Middle East, people use the name marjoram to mean oregano. To tell them apart, they might call this plant sweet marjoram or knotted marjoram. It's also sometimes called pot marjoram.
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Where Does Marjoram Come From?
Marjoram first grew in places like Cyprus and southern Turkey. Long ago, the ancient Greeks and Romans thought of marjoram as a special plant. For them, it was a symbol of happiness!
What Does Marjoram Look Like?
Marjoram plants have smooth, simple leaves. These leaves are usually oval-shaped, about 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) long. They feel very smooth because they have many tiny hairs on them.
How Is Marjoram Grown?
Marjoram likes warmer weather, but it can sometimes grow in colder places too. People grow marjoram for its leaves, which smell wonderful. They use the leaves fresh or dried for cooking.
To get the best flavor, the tops of the plants are cut when they start to flower. Then, they are dried slowly in the shade. Marjoram is a key ingredient in famous herb mixes like herbes de Provence and za'atar.
Marjoram is also used to make an essential oil. This oil is made by steaming the flowering leaves and tops of the plant. The oil is usually yellowish and gets darker as it gets older.
Marjoram's Plant Family
Marjoram belongs to the Origanum plant family. There are a few other plants in this family that are similar:
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is sometimes called wild marjoram. It grows in southern Europe and has a stronger flavor than marjoram.
- Pot marjoram or Cretan oregano (O. onites) is used in similar ways to marjoram.
- Hardy marjoram or French marjoram is a mix of marjoram and oregano. It can handle cold weather much better, but it's a little less sweet.
- O. pulchellum is known as showy marjoram or showy oregano.
How Do We Use Marjoram?
Marjoram is a popular herb in the kitchen! It's often used to add flavor to:
- Soups
- Stews
- Dressings
- Sauces
Images for kids
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Growing tip with flower buds
See also
In Spanish: Mejorana para niños
