What Herbs Are Used in Pizza Seasoning?
- The complex taste of oregano -- slightly sweet yet bitter -- and its highly aromatic fragrance is a star of traditional pizza seasoning. Of the two main oregano varieties - Mediterranean and Mexican -- its the former that is regularly featured in pizza seasoning.
- The natural sweetness of basil makes it a perfect match for all types of tomato sauces, including pizza sauce. Although dried basil is used in pizza seasoning, a handful of fresh basil leaves make a refreshing final topper for a pie pulled right from the oven.
- Fennel seed, with its flavor overtones of anise and licorice, evokes the taste of Italian sausage without any added meat.
- Thyme is a very fragrant small-leaved perennial herb that goes well with a multitude of foods and other herbs. Its earthy flavor brings balance to pizza seasoning.
- Though not an herb botanically speaking, garlic is another pizza seasoning component that helps balance the sweetness and acidity of tomatoes and gives the seasoning overall authentic Italian flavor.
- Rosemary is a common herb in a variety of Italian and Mediterranean dishes. Its pungent flavor partners well with other pizza seasoning herbs, including oregano and garlic.
- Flat leaf parsley, also known as Italian parsley, has a bright, fresh flavor that perks up nearly any dish. Dried parsley adds a note of tartness to pizza seasoning that accents tomato-based sauces and vegetable toppings. The sweet taste of fresh parsley also makes an excellent pie partner; sprinkle lightly chopped leaves atop the works after the pizza emerges from the oven.
- Marjoram is versatile herb with a flavor somewhere between basil and oregano. Though more commonly found in poultry seasoning, the aromatic sweet character of marjoram makes a perfect middle-of-the-road herbal addition to pizza seasoning.
- Sage has long been used to add flavor to pork, chicken and stuffing. The subtle, sweet taste of sage complements particularly well hearty pies topped with meats such as beef or sausage.
