Oregano Brujo has broad, fleshy leaves 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) wide and about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. It is presumed to be a variety of Cuban oregano (aka Coleus ambionicus), but the leaves are all green, without the decorative white border that Cuban oregano has.Its oregano flavour comes from the essential oil, “carvacrol”, in the leaves. The flavour is not as strong as Greek or Italian oregano, and has no bitterness.
The leaves are very aromatic.
Oregano Brujo grows like a weed anywhere in Puerto Rico. It is mostly used in making Puerto Rican “sofritos.”
Language Notes
The name means “witches’ oregano.”