Neapolitan pizza facts for kids
Neapolitan pizza "Margherita"
|
|
| Type | Pizza |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Campania |
| Main ingredients | Pizza dough (type 0 or 00 tender wheat flour, Natural yeast, sour dough or brewer's yeast, sea salt, water), tomatoes (San Marzano or Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio), mozzarella (bufala Campana or fior di latte di agerola) |
| Variations | Pizza marinara, pizza Margherita |
Neapolitan pizza (in Italian: pizza napoletana) is a famous type of pizza from Naples, Italy. It is known for its simple, fresh ingredients. This pizza is made with special tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
The tomatoes used must be either San Marzano tomatoes or Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio. These grow in the rich, volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius. The cheese is usually Mozzarella di Bufala Campana. This is a special cheese made from the milk of water buffalo. These buffalo live in the marshlands of Campania and Lazio in Italy. Sometimes, "Mozzarella STG" made from cow's milk is also used.
Neapolitan pizza is a "Traditional Speciality Guaranteed" (TSG) product in Europe. This means it has a special status that protects its traditional recipe. Also, the unique way this pizza is made is recognized by UNESCO. It is part of their list of important cultural traditions. This classic pizza style also inspired the New York-style pizza that became popular in the United States.
Contents
How Is Neapolitan Pizza Made?
Making a real Neapolitan pizza follows strict rules. These rules come from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. This group makes sure the pizza is made the traditional way.
The Dough
The dough for genuine Neapolitan pizza is very simple. It uses wheat flour (either type '0' or '00'). It also needs natural Neapolitan yeast or brewer's yeast, salt, and water. For the best pizza, the flour should be strong. This means it has a lot of protein, like flour used for making bread.
The dough must be mixed by hand or with a slow mixer. After the dough rises, it is shaped by hand. No rolling pins or machines are allowed! The dough should be very thin, no more than 3 millimeters (about 0.12 inches) thick.
Baking the Pizza
The pizza is baked very quickly in a super hot oven. It goes into a wood-fired oven heated to about 485 degrees Celsius (905 degrees Fahrenheit). It only bakes for 60 to 90 seconds! When it's done, the pizza should be soft, stretchy, and smell wonderful.
What Are the Main Types of Neapolitan Pizza?
There are a few main types of Neapolitan pizza, each with its own special toppings.
Pizza Margherita
The most famous type is Pizza Margherita. This pizza has a simple but delicious combination of ingredients. It uses tomato, sliced mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes, a little Parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top. The colors of the Margherita pizza (red tomato, white mozzarella, green basil) are said to represent the colors of the Italian flag.
Pizza Marinara
Another classic type is pizza marinara. This pizza is made with tomato, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil. It does not have cheese.
Pizza Margherita DOP
There is also pizza Margherita DOP. The "DOP" stands for "Protected Designation of Origin." This means it uses very specific ingredients. It has tomato, special buffalo mozzarella from Campania, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
What Does "Traditional Speciality Guaranteed" Mean?
The "Traditional Speciality Guaranteed" (TSG) label is a special certification in Europe. It means a food product has unique qualities that set it apart. It also means its ingredients, how it's made, or its recipe have been the same for at least 30 years. This helps protect traditional foods like Neapolitan pizza.
Protected Status for Neapolitan Pizza
Neapolitan pizza has a special "denomination of control" (DOC) status in Italy. This status is given by the Italian Standardization Body. It is managed by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana (AVPN). Pizzerias that want this DOC label must follow very strict rules. These rules make sure they are truly making pizza in the traditional Neapolitan way.
See also
In Spanish: Pizza napolitana para niños
