Julie Bove wrote:
> "Steve Freides" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>> Has anyone ever bought dried oregano that smelled or tasted off?
>>>
>>> The first time I noticed this, I wasn't sure what it was. I bought
>>> the Italian seasoning from Costco. It had a musty odor to it and it
>>> didn't taste good to us. I think it was a Mccormick seasoning but
>>> it was different than what I usually buy. I think it said "Northern
>>> Italian" or something.
>>> I just assumed that we didn't like it and I threw it out.
>>>
>>> And now I have some Archer Farms oregano. I notice that the aroma
>>> of it when I open the bottle is very strong/sharp. I can't really
>>> tell if it is a different aroma than usual. I will have to buy
>>> another
>>> brand and compare them. And there isn't the must smell. But it
>>> seems to have an off flavor. I thought at first that it was just
>>> stronger than usual. So I used less of it. But that didn't help.
>>> Gives an off flavor to my dish. I will buy another brand tomorrow
>>> and see if that is better.
>>> Oregano is one of the herbs/spices that I have been using for
>>> years. And I used to put a ton of it in my red pasta sauce. I am
>>> not brand loyal either. If I need it, I will buy it wherever I am
>>> and will
>>> usually get whatever the cheapest stuff is. That could be the 99
>>> cent stuff at the drugstore, but usually it's McCormick or
>>> Schilling.
>>
>> Sounds like you're using inconsistent sources for an important
>> ingredient and getting inconsistent results - perhaps settling on a
>> brand you like will solve that problem for you. Even if you find
>> several high quality sources, their differing tastes could result in
>> dishes you don't like - it's easy to consistently source this so why
>> not do just that? Oregano that's too _good_ - fresher, stronger
>> flavor - could ruin a dish, too. We like Trader Joe's for powdered
>> herbs/spices. They don't have a
>> big selection of herbs and spices but I'm pretty sure they do have
>> oregano. We now get our cinnamon, black pepper (in a grinder),
>> garlic powder, and a few others there.
>>
>> -S-
>
> That could be. Thing is, I take oil of oregano daily and have
> applied it externally. I don't know if dried oregano would have the
> same scent but this certainly does not. Maybe I should always buy
> the same one. I don't get to TJ's too often. It's not close to
> where I live and I hate waiting in the long lines there.

No disrespect intended but you've changed the subject - buy dried
oregano from the same, good source and not from anywhere else and your
original problem should be solved. Oil of oregano is a different thing
entirely.

-S-