The taste of an Italian pizza is a very distinctive flavour, which our Italian Restaurant, Italian Street Kitchen takes great pride in maintaining.
The combination of tomatoes, spices, and cheese on the dough gives it a unique flavour that sets it apart from other types of pizzas around the world. Italian Pizza can be eaten as an appetizer, main dish, and even dessert! And, has many variations to suit different tastes.
Pizza has been a popular food for a long time. It is believed to have originated in Naples, Italy hundreds of years ago and descendants of that original recipe are still made today. But even though pizza was invented long ago, people still enjoy making their own variations and experimenting with different ingredients and toppings!
Now, this has probably got you thinking, “what Italian Restaurant near me” makes real Italian Pizza, the kind of pizza that teleports you to Italy after just one bite !” Well, you’re in Luck (or maybe not if you live too far), because our pizza is made with such great care and attention to detail and conserves the authentic Italian Flavour and Italian pizzas really do taste the best! Learn what makesTraditional Italian Pizza so great!
The History of Italian Pizza
Pizza was invented in 1889 by Raffaele Esposito, who was making pizza at the time, for Queen Margherita’s visit to Naples; he created it out of the colors on the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (cheese), and green (basil). The original pizza had just these three toppings. The pizza was then named “pizza Margherita” in honor of the Queen’s visit.
The Italians of the time used what little ingredients they could get their hands on to create what we know as today, the modern pizza dough, and topped it with olive oil and herbs and over the years have adapted its recipe to suit all kinds of taste buds! Still today, the use of fresh mozzarella di buffalo in Italian pizza cannot be substituted.
With Pizza being adopted by so many new cultures these days it’s sometimes hard to find that perfect Italian slice! Now, this has probably got you thinking, which Italian restaurants near me maintain the real Italian Flavour, which is so damn good? Here are the secrets to what we believe makes Italian pizza the best in the world!
Simple is better!
But why is it so good? What makes Italian pizza different from other kinds of pizza? Here are the secrets to what we believe makes Italian pizza the best in the world!
The base
The base of Italian pizza is the crust and it’s usually made with wheat flour, salt, yeast, olive oil, and water. The dough must be kneaded to develop gluten strands that will form a web-like structure when baked. It can also contain sugar for extra flavor or cornmeal for crunch. At our Italian restaurant, our homemade pizza dough has risen for 48 hours for the perfect light and crispy combination.
The sauce
A classic tomato sauce is typically used as the basis of pizza toppings but there are many variations on this theme including pesto, Alfredo sauce, and arugula pesto. San Marzano tomatoes, from the city of the same name in Italy’s Campania region, are considered the gold standard due to their acidity, texture and low-water content when ripe.
The cheese
Cheese used on pizza is always a combination of mozzarella (usually whole milk rather than part-skim) and provolone or Parmesan. It’s sometimes sprinkled with fior di latte but never parmesan alone because it’s saltier. The cheese blend should be added after the tomato sauce has been spread across the dough—never before as this could cause excessive moisture loss during baking, making for a tough crust.
The toppings
The best toppings are thinly sliced meats, such as prosciutto and speck as well as soppressata. Other topping favorites are mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted eggplant, and bell peppers. Italian pizza often uses a small number of high-quality ingredients rather than lots of mediocre ones. Specialty pizzas might also include other items like fresh or roasted garlic slices or even anchovies—either plain or with tomato sauce.
The oven
Stone-and-concrete wood-burning ovens ensure that the crust cooks at very high heat. A hot oven is important for two reasons: first, it helps breads rise by creating steam to expand their air pockets; second, it gives the crust a nice golden-brown color.
The most renowned pizzerias have ovens that are as much as 100 years old and some go through up to 400 tons of firewood every year.
The type of stone used inside the pizza oven will also influence how light and chewy the crust turns out. For example, a quarry stone is porous with small holes while lava stones are solid with larger gaps. Some cookware stores actually label their stones by these qualities so you can choose one that matches your desired texture in your home oven or even better, bake on a preheated baking steel (which is more conductive than most types of stoneware).
Baking temperature and time will vary depending on the thickness of the crust and if it has been pre-baked or not.
Of course, the best part about high-quality pizza is that you can eat the world’s most perfect food with your hands. So by all means… enjoy!
If you’ve ever tried Italian pizza, then chances are that the taste is unforgettable. No matter what kind of pizza you get, you can be assured that Italian-style pizza is a completely different treat than any other kind of pizza. Italians are built with a passion for detail and flavour, both of which go hand in hand in making the best pizza. It is our dedication to spreading love and joy through food that separates ‘OUR PIZZA from the rest of the world.
Certainly! It's apparent that Italian pizza is not just a dish; it's a cultural phenomenon deeply ingrained in Italy's history. Let's delve into the concepts within this article:
1. Italian Pizza History:
- The origins trace back to Naples in 1889 by Raffaele Esposito, creating the "Pizza Margherita" for Queen Margherita, symbolizing the Italian flag's colors: tomato (red), mozzarella (white), and basil (green).
2. Components of Italian Pizza:
- Base/Crust: Made with wheat flour, salt, yeast, olive oil, and water. The dough requires proper kneading for gluten development, resulting in a light and crispy crust.
- Sauce: Traditional tomato sauce is common, often made with San Marzano tomatoes for their acidity and texture.
- Cheese: A blend of whole milk mozzarella, provolone, or Parmesan, never Parmesan alone due to its saltiness. Fior di latte might be added.
- Toppings: Typically high-quality, thinly sliced meats like prosciutto, vegetables such as mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted eggplant, and bell peppers. Emphasis on using fewer, top-quality ingredients.
3. Pizza-Making Techniques:
- Oven: Wood-burning ovens made of stone and concrete, maintaining high temperatures crucial for perfect crusts.
- Stone Types: Varying stones like quarry or lava stones inside ovens influence crust texture.
- Cooking Method: High heat and specific cooking times depending on crust thickness and pre-baking.
4. Characteristics of Authentic Italian Pizza:
- Emphasis on simplicity, high-quality ingredients, and adherence to traditional techniques.
- Italian pizza stands out due to its distinct flavors, dedication to detail, and the passion of Italian cuisine.
This breakdown shows how Italian pizza is more than just a dish—it's a blend of history, technique, and cultural dedication that makes it a unique culinary experience.
