Marjoram (Maiorana hortensis Moench.)

 

Syrian Marjoram, flowering plant

Used plant part

Leaves.

Plant family

Lamiaceae (mint family).

Sensoric quality

Aromatic and slightly bitter. There is not much olfactory resemblance to the botanically related oregano.

Main constituents

The content of essential oil depends on soil, climate and season, but generally lies between 0.7% and 3.5%. The main aroma component is a bicyclic monoterpene alcohol, cis-sabinene hydrate (max. 40%); furthermore, alpha-terpinene, 4-terpineol, alpha-terpineol, terpinenyl-4-acetate and 1,8-cineol are found in significant amounts. Phenolic compounds, which make up for the typical fragrance of the closely related oregano, are missing altogether.

Origin

Marjoram stems from Asia Minor. Since it is a popular spice, it is cultivated not only in Mediterranean countries, but also in Central and Eastern Europe, although best qualities require a fairly hot climate.

Etymology

Marjoram was called amaracum in Latin, which in turn was taken from Greek amarákos (whose origin is dark). Marjoram's reputation as aphrodisiac in Roman literature is probably due to the similarity of its name to Latin amor "love", which is linguistically not related (folk-etymology).

The modern forms in German, French, Italian and English derive from amaracum and were additionally influenced by Latin maior "greater" via folk etymology.
Similar to tarragon (botanically not related), marjoram is a spice which on one hand needs a warm climate to develop its specific aroma, but on the other hand loses some fragrance when dried. Despite these deficiencies, is is a well-established culinary herb in Central Europe.

Dried marjoram is extremely important in industrial food processing and is much used, together with thyme, in spice mixtures for the production of sausages; in Germany, where a great variety of sausages is produced, it is thus called Wurstkraut "sausage herb". Furthermore, application of marjoram to boiled or fried liver is somewhat classical. Marjoram may be effectively combined with bay leaves; furthermore, it goes well with small amounts of black pepper or juniper. Combinations of the last type are well suited to ragouts, particularly venison.

 

 

Marjoram plant (sterile)

Yet marjoram also has its place in vegetable dishes; it is mostly recommended for rather heavy vegetables like legumes or cabbage. Fried potatoes spiced with liberal amounts of marjoram are delicious.

Fresh marjoram, on the other side, is more popular in South European cooking styles. Because of its lesser fragrance in cold climate, its usage in other regions may end in serious disappointment. Fresh marjoram may add new accents to the French fines herbes (see chives) and is frequently suggested for delicate fish dishes; it should be added shortly before serving. Only in less subtly flavoured dishes (like Italian tomato sauces spiced with garlic), fresh marjoram may be substituted by fresh oregano. Although this usage is not mentioned in cookbooks, fresh marjoram is well suited for the French bouquet garni (see parsley).

Dried marjoram is not a usual component of spice mixtures; yet it makes a good alternative for thyme in both the Southern French herbes de Provençe (see lavender) and the Jordan mixture zahtar (see sumac).

The marjoram grown in Westarn Asia is much more aromatic than the European variety; its flavour ranges between European marjoram and oregano. The term zahtar (also spelt zaatar or za'tar) may refer either to the spice mixture (see sumac) or to this powerful herb alone.