Oregano (dried)

Preparation

Sprinkled before baking; dried oregano tolerates heat well, unlike fresh basil

Used sparingly; overuse can taste medicinal

Suitable to add after baking.

Pairs well with

• Extra virgin olive oil (finishing)

  A finishing oil to add just before or after baking, rather than a bulk topping.

• Chilli oil (finishing)

  A finishing oil to add just before or after baking, rather than a bulk topping.

• Fresh arugula (rocket)

  Best added fresh after baking, for brightness against Oregano (dried).

• Fried egg (post-bake)

  Best added fresh after baking, for brightness against Oregano (dried).

• Honey (post-bake drizzle)

  Best added fresh after baking, for brightness against Oregano (dried).

• Truffle oil (finishing)

  A finishing oil to add just before or after baking, rather than a bulk topping.

Styles using this topping

• Neapolitan pizzaTraditionalWell established

  Used dried, mainly on the Marinara variant rather than Margherita.

• SfincioneTraditionalGenerally accepted

  A standard dried herb seasoning across the topping mix.

• Pizza MarinaraDefiningWell established

  Used dried, one of only four defining ingredients (alongside tomato, garlic, and olive oil) in this cheese-free topping.

• FugazzaCommonly usedLimited evidence

  A common herbal seasoning across the onion topping, echoing the wider Argentine pizza tradition's use of oregano.

• Media masa (Argentine half-dough pizza)Commonly usedLimited evidence

  A common herbal seasoning across the generous cheese layer, echoing the wider Argentine pizza tradition's use of oregano.

• SardenairaTraditionalGenerally accepted

  A standard dried-herb finish, added at the end alongside a generous drizzle of olive oil.

• Scacciata (Tampa-style pizza)DefiningGenerally accepted

  The distinct oregano finish is named alongside tomato as one of the style's two defining flavour components, applied over the sparse cheese cover.

• Focaccia bareseTraditionalGenerally accepted

  A traditional herbal finish scattered over the tomato and olives before baking.