The name ‘oregano’ originated in the Greek language and means ‘joy of the mountain.’
Ancient Greeks were reportedly so fond of oregano that they used it to make laurels for brides and grooms and believed that cows that grazed on fields of oregano had tastier meat.
During the 1500s, oregano was used in magic spells to conjure up good luck, good health and peace. It was also worn on the head during the night to promote psychic dreams!
Oregano first became popular in America after the 2nd World War, when US soldiers returned home from battle in Europe having developed a taste for the herb.
Meanwhile, in the 1940s, Swedish mountain peasants are said to have used oregano in their ale to prevent it from turning sour (oregano has potent antioxidant properties!) and to make the ale even more potent.
