Pizza varieties

Pizza is a popular dish of Italian origin, consisting of a usually round, flattened base of leavened wheat-based dough topped with tomatoes, cheese, and often various other ingredients (anchovies, olives, meat, etc.), which is then baked at a high temperature, traditionally in a wood-fired oven. A small pizza is sometimes called a pizzetta. The term pizza was first recorded in the 10th century in a Latin manuscript from the Southern Italian town of Gaeta in Lazio, on the border with Campania. Modern pizza was invented in Naples, and the dish and its variants have since become popular in many countries.

Varieties of Pizza

Pizza has evolved into numerous styles and variations across the world. This article explores some of the most notable varieties of pizza.

Neapolitan Pizza

Neapolitan pizza is the original form of pizza, hailing from Naples, Italy. It has a thin, soft crust made from highly refined Italian type 0 or 00 wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast. The traditional toppings are simple: tomato, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and olive oil. There are three official variants: Pizza Marinara (with garlic and oregano), Pizza Margherita (with fresh basil, mozzarella di bufala, and tomatoes), and Pizza Margherita extra (with tomatoes, mozzarella from Campania, basil, and extra virgin olive oil).

New York-Style Pizza

New York-style pizza features a large, thin, and flexible crust, often sold in wide slices to go. The crust is thick and crisp only along its edge, yet soft, thin, and pliable enough beneath its toppings to be folded in half to eat. Traditional toppings include tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. It is traditionally cooked in a coal-fired oven.

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago deep dish pizza is known for its high edge and deep, thick crust, which allows for a generous amount of cheese and chunky tomato sauce. It was invented at Chicago's Pizzeria Uno in 1943. Unlike other pizzas, the toppings are placed under the cheese layer.

Sicilian Pizza

Sicilian pizza, or sfincione, is a thick-crust or deep-dish pizza originating from Sicily. It is typically rectangular, with a thick crust and topped with tomato sauce, herbs, and anchovies, often with the cheese underneath the sauce to prevent it from burning.

Detroit-Style Pizza

Detroit-style pizza is a rectangular pizza with a thick crust that is crispy and chewy. It is traditionally topped with tomato sauce and a blend of cheeses, usually mozzarella and brick cheese, going all the way to the edges of the pan, which creates a caramelized cheese border.

California Pizza

California pizza is known for its unusual ingredients. This style of pizza was invented in the 1980s and is often credited to chef Ed LaDou. The typical California pizza has a thin crust and features toppings from globally influenced cuisines, beyond the traditional Italian toppings.

See Also

• Pizza in the United States
• Italian cuisine
• History of pizza