The Importance of Quality Ingredients
Creating a great pizza starts with choosing quality ingredients. The ingredients in pizza are few, so each one plays a significant role in the flavor profile and texture of the final product. From the flour that forms the base of your dough to the tomatoes in your sauce and the cheese that bubbles on top, each element should be carefully selected for maximum flavor and performance.
Quality pizza starts with the flour. The best pizza flours are high in protein, a critical component for the development of gluten, which gives the dough its structure and elasticity. A high-protein flour, such as bread flour or specially labeled pizza flour, produces a dough that is easy to stretch and produces a crust that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Next comes the yeast. While several types of yeast are available, fresh yeast and active dry yeast are the most common types used in pizza dough. Each will produce slightly different results, but a fresh, high-quality yeast will always ensure reliable fermentation and help the dough rise properly.
As for the sauce, ripe, flavorful tomatoes are key. San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the volcanic soil of the Sarno River Valley in Italy, are known for their sweet flavor and low acidity. But other varieties can be just as delicious. The key is to use ripe, flavorful tomatoes that are grown and harvested at their peak.
Quality cheese is another essential ingredient in pizza making. Real, fresh mozzarella-whether it’s cow’s milk mozzarella (Fior di Latte) or buffalo mozzarella (Mozzarella di Bufala)-is far superior to pre-shredded, packaged cheese, which often contains additives to prevent clumping. For the best flavor and melt, choose fresh, high-quality cheese.
Even the water and salt in pizza dough, while seemingly minor players, play a role. Water should be clean and chlorine-free, as chlorine can inhibit yeast activity. Salt should be pure and free of additives. Both sea and rock salt are excellent choices for pizza dough.
Quality ingredients make a significant difference in the final product, resulting in a pizza that is flavorful, well-textured and satisfying. By choosing quality ingredients, we honor the simplicity and tradition of pizza and let the natural flavors shine.