Best Italian Seasoning Brands in India – Mishry

A blend of aromatic herbs that instantly takes dishes from 4 to 10. We are talking about Italian seasoning which is mostly made using basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary. The commercially available seasoning mixes are usually salted, have aromatics like garlic and sometimes even onion powder.

With the westernization of our diets, Italian seasonings have become a staple in most urban homes. So much so, that we have gone from saving sachets from our trusty pizza place to actually buying a jar of our own.

We tested four easily available brands of Italian seasoning and rated them on parameters like taste and aroma. After a rigorous two-step taste test, we chose Orika (Top Pick) as the best Italian seasoning brands in India.

The following table shows key details on all contenders.

How did we pick the best Italian herb seasoning, what were our parameters?

Flavor and aroma were the primary deciding factors. Scroll down for a brief explanation on them. 

1. Flavor

We were looking for a fresh-tasting, well-rounded seasoning mix. Balanced salt and a bold flavor of garlic were also checked. Were the herbs added proportionately?

2. Aroma

Fresh herbs have a more prominent aroma than the dried counterpart. But did these packaged herbs smell fresh? How bold is the aroma of fresh mixed herbs and garlic (if any).

If stored incorrectly, herbs can develop a very stale smell. What was the case here? 

3. Other Parameters

Price, packaging, and the shelf life were observed and recorded too.

To find the best Italian seasoning in India, we tasted the contenders in two stages.

• Stage one was gauging the aroma and tasting them as is. This helped us understand the individual flavor of the dried herbs. 
• Stage two was a bit more elaborate. We toasted circular slices of garlic bread with a smear of butter. Then we sprinkled the seasoning, and served them warm.
• We chose not to test it on top of a pizza as the tomato sauce and cheese are both seasoned and strong flavored.

The following section holds detailed information on all contenders along with their pros and cons –

Whooosh, the aroma already had us drooling. The herbs had a pleasing pungency and a fresh fragrance. This was laced with a garlicky warmth. Orika’s Italian seasoning was not a fine powder, there were specs of spices and garlic.

In both our test stages, the overall flavor of this seasoning was commendable. It was dominant on salt and garlic with a herby freshness. From pizza and pasta to sandwiches and salads, this seasoning adds a vibrant element to dishes. 

Earlier in 2022, we reviewed Orika Italian seasoning and loved it alike. We tried it over boiled pasta. This seasoning took it from 0 to 100 in a jiffy. 

A note of appreciation for the individual sachet packaging that helps retain freshness, flavor, and aroma.

Product Features

This container holds 40 1-gram sachets and is priced at Rs 99/-. It has a 12-month shelf life. The main ingredients are dehydrated garlic, iodised salt, herbs (oregano, basic, black pepper, red chilli, edible vegetable oil (soy), anticaking agent (INS 551).

Visually, Snapin and Orika Italian seasoning mixes looked quite similar. That said, Snapin had a bold aroma that was a mix of garlic and oregano. We noticed that Snapin came quite close to our Top Pick- Orika on significant parameters like aroma, texture, and taste. Snapin showed a favorable balance between the earthy warmth of garlic, the spice kick, and salt. The herby flavor was desirable too.

The only reason Snapin was not our Top Pick was because the salt content was significantly higher than Orika. Moreover, the herbs tasted relatively fresher in Orika.

Product Features

A 10-gram pouch is priced at Rs 10/-. This has a 12-month shelf life and the main ingredients are salt, garlic, oregano, black pepper, basil, chilli, and anticaking agent (E551, E552).

Related Reading:

What Can I Use As An Italian Seasoning Substitute?

Compared to the two other contenders, Wingreens’ seasoning had more bits and particles than ground herbs. We could see dried basil, oregano, dehydrated garlic, and even some red chilli seeds and skin. This seasoning emitted a garlicky aroma with tones of a pungent, camphoraceous aroma of oregano. 

Taste-wise, this was fresh and herby. The salt levels were well-balanced. There was a prominent warmth that garlic added. In addition to these, there was a spice kick from red chilli and black pepper which we liked. 

The reason why Wingreens did not win is because the blend of herbs and spices was better in our Top Pick.

A special mention for Wingreens’ packaging. The container is called their ‘spice rack’ and has three openings on the lid. The centre compartment is the largest, meant for taking the seasoning out using a spoon. The one to the left is a smaller compartment meant for directly adding the seasoning to gravies/pots/pans. Finally, the last one has a sprinkler to be used for adding a small quantity over salads, pizza slices, etc. Super convenient!

Product Features

A 50-gram container is priced at Rs 125/- with a  nine-month shelf life. The packaging, as described above, was very premium. The main ingredients are dehydrated garlic, iodized salt, herbs (oregano, basil), mixed spices (pepper, red chilli), edible vegetable oil (soybean).

This was hands-down the most vibrant looking Italian seasoning. We could see large-sized herb bits. There were greens from thyme, basil, reds from dehydrated tomato flakes and chilli. This had a fresh, herby aroma.

Unlike its aroma, this did not have a prominent herby taste. It had a sweet tang from tomatoes, a mild sourness and a prominent herby flavor. The salt was fairly on the lower side. 

All-in-all, this was a fresh tasting seasoning but the Italian flavor could have been bolder. 

This did not win because of the addition of tomatoes. It’s neither an expected ingredient, nor did it improve the taste in any way and constitutes 45% of the seasoning.

Product Features

A 35-gram jar is priced at Rs 115/- It has a shelf life of 12 months, the main ingredients are dehydrated tomato flakes (45%), mixed spices and herbs (thyme, oregano, chilli, and basil), iodized salt, anticaking agent (INS 551).

Why did we choose Orika as our Top Pick?

Fresh? Check.

Flavorful? Check.

Aromatic? Check.

Orika was without a doubt our Top Pick. Right from aroma to flavors, this was exceptional. You can add it to pasta sauces, pizza, sandwiches and veggie roasts as well.

Also Read: Poultry Seasoning And Its Substitute.

Here are some interesting FAQs on the best Italian seasoning.

Spice up your pizza slices and pasta, one sprinkle at a time. Of the four brands of Italian seasoning we reviewed, Orika was the collective favorite. Be it the aroma or the flavors or the texture, it was spot-on. Special mention for the super convenient packing. 

How do you use Italian seasoning, over pizza or salads and proteins?

Our reviews are unbiased and all samples used during the reviews were paid for by us. Read our entire ethics statement here.