Marjoram – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is marjoram?

Marjoram is an aromatic herb typically used in Mediterranean dishes. Marjoram belongs to the mint family, and it’s a sub-species of oregano. However, it’s sweeter, milder, and more floral than its spicy, pungent counterpart. Outside of cooking, it’s been used as herbal medicine since ancient times.

The plant comes in three different varieties: sweet marjoram, wild marjoram, and pot marjoram. Before the discovery of hops, marjoram was used to flavor beef centuries ago. Today, it is used to garnish soups, salads, and meat dishes. It can also be used dried or fresh in marinades for fish and meats, especially:

• Lamb
• Chicken
• Veal
• Snapper
• Tilapia

Where did marjoram originate from?

Marjoram has been grown in the Mediterranean, Western Asia, and North Africa for thousands of years.

However, it’s believed to have originally come from the Mediterranean region. The ancient Greeks used it as a natural treatment for tons of ailments. They thought it could help you heal from poison, edema, and convulsions. They called it joy mountain and used it to crown young couples during wedding ceremonies.

The herb was once believed to help nurture love and eventually made its way to England, where they used it in tobacco and beer.

Marjoram was also used as a preservative, but today, people believe it to be good luck to have marjoram growing by your grave. It supposedly meant you would have happiness in heaven.

What are the benefits of eating marjoram?

Eating marjoram has major health benefits thanks to its medicinal qualities. A quarter cup of fresh marjoram has less than 15 calories but provides:

• Iron
• Fiber
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K

Need some marjoram in your kitchen today? Skip the searches for “fresh produce near me” or “marjoram near me.” Get fresh produce delivery with Instacart and choose same-day delivery.

How is marjoram grown?

Marjoram can’t handle cold and freezing temperatures, so grow it in zones 6 to 11 on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Although the plant can handle partial shade, it requires at least 6 hours of sun per day.

Start your marjoram seeds indoors towards the end of winter or in the early spring, about 6 to 8 weeks before the final frost date. Sow the seeds in a container with potting soil below the surface. The seeds should germinate in about 10 days. Keep the seedlings moist and under a grow light until you’re able to transfer them outside to the garden.

Two weeks after the last frost day, transplant the seedlings and give them about 7 to 10 days to harden off before you try to put them in the ground. Space the plants about 8 to 12in apart with 18 to 24in between each row. Put the plants further apart if you live in an area with high humidity levels, as you’ll encourage better air circulation. The soil should be well-draining and have a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.

Give your marjoram plants plenty of water at first, but then you can allow the soil to dry between watering. You don’t really need to worry about fertilizing your marjoram, but you might want to give it half-strength fertilizer every few weeks—at least early in the growing season.

When is marjoram in season?

Marjoram is in season during the warmer months, but it’s available all year long. You should be able to find it at your local grocery store or farmer’s market when in season.

How do you pick marjoram at the grocery store?

Regardless of what herbs you buy (and regardless of the packaging they’re being sold in), look for herbs with crisp leaves and a bright color. Find herbs that are free of bruising and have no crushed leaves.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for marjoram via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for marjoram.

How to store marjoram

One way to store marjoram is to remove the rubber bands and put them in a glass with 1in or so of water. Store them on the counter away from direct sunlight for about 2 to 3 days.

Another way of storing marjoram is by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and putting it in a plastic bag in the fridge. A green way to do this is to use a thin, damp tea towel or cheesecloth instead of a paper towel and a small Tupperware container instead of a plastic bag.

You can also store fresh herbs in the freezer by chopping them up and mixing them with a splash of olive oil. Then, freeze them in ice cube trays to use later.

How to tell if marjoram is bad

You’ll know marjoram is bad if the leaves are crushed or ripped. Also, if it loses its bright color, you’ll know it’s well on its way to spoiled.

What can I substitute for marjoram?

Don’t have fresh marjoram? You can always substitute it for oregano. Other substitutes include herbs like summer savory, thyme, basil, or sage.

Choosing the freshest marjoram

Marjoram is an aromatic herb that can add a little bit of flavor and nutrients to any recipe that calls for it. It’s got several health benefits, and it’s easy to grow right in your own garden. But if you’d rather just grab some from the grocery store, get marjoram delivered with Instacart using same-day delivery.

Instacart

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.