People all over the world love Italian pizza because it tastes great and is real. Real Italian pizza is known for having simple but delicious tastes made with high-quality ingredients. With the right amount of bread, sauce, cheese, and toppings, each bite takes you on a journey through Italy’s food history.
This guide talks about the most important things about real Italian pizza, like the cheeses and toppings that go on top and the type of flour used for the crust. It also lists the best places and pizzerias where you can get real Italian pizza. Get ready for a flavorful adventure with this essential Italian pizza guide.
Fresh and Premium Ingredients for Authentic Italian Pizza
High-quality, fresh ingredients are what make real Italian pizza what it is. From the flour to the peppers, every ingredient is carefully chosen to ensure the best taste and freshness, making it a popular choice all over the world.
Here are the key ingredients of an Italian pizza:
- Flour: The cornerstone of pizza dough, “00” flour, finely ground and ideal for pizza and pasta, is preferred for authentic Italian pizza.
- Yeast: While fresh yeast is optimal for pizza dough, active dry yeast can be used as an alternative.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Although water buffalo milk is the typical ingredient in mozzarella, cow’s milk mozzarella is an alternative for individuals who prefer a different flavor.
- Olive Oil: Drizzling olive oil over the pizza not only enhances its flavor but also adds moisture to the crust, creating a delightful eating experience.
- Water: To achieve an extra crispy crust, opt for water with a high mineral content when preparing the dough.
- Tomato Sauce: Authentic Italian pizza often features San Marzano tomatoes for the sauce, identifiable by the DOP seal on canned tomatoes indicating they are from Italy’s San Marzano region.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is added to the dough for enhanced flavor.
Limited Toppings
One thing about real Italian pizza is that the toppings aren’t too much. In contrast to the overstuffed pies you often find in American pizzerias, real Italian pizza only has the most important toppings. By letting each item shine on its own, this method creates a harmonious flavor balance.
Signature Thin Crust
The thin top is one of the things that makes pizza truly Italian. Italian pizza is known for having a thin, crispy crust, while American pizza tends to have crusts that are larger and more doughy. The light and airy texture of this thin crust makes the pizza ideal for letting the toppings shine.
Delicate and Chewy Pizza Dough
An Italian pizza has a soft, chewy dough for the base and a thin, crisp crust on top. The special structure and taste come from using high-quality flour and letting the dough rest for a long time. This makes for a delightful eating experience.
Where to Find Genuine Italian Pizza?
Italy is undeniably the ultimate destination for experiencing authentic Italian pizza. However, if you’re seeking this culinary delight outside of Italy, there are various options worth exploring:
- Naples: Renowned for its Neapolitan-style pizza featuring a thin crust and minimal toppings.
- Liguria: Home to focaccia al Formaggio, a pizza-like dish made with cheese and savory ingredients.
- Rome: Known for pizza al taglio, sold by weight and sliced into squares.
Fortunately, authentic Italian pizza is also available in numerous locations worldwide, ensuring you can enjoy this delectable dish even when you’re not in Italy.
Indulge in Authentic Italian Pizza
It’s impossible to find anything better than a real Italian pizza. Even though there are many versions of this popular food, only the original, made with real ingredients and exact cooking techniques, can be compared in terms of taste and texture.
Whether you’re in Naples having a Margherita pizza, in Rome trying pizza al taglio, or somewhere else in the world, the taste of real Italian pizza is still unmistakable and authentic.