"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "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.

Another quack nostrum!