Neapolitan pizza: The global rise of a cultural and culinary icon
1:12 PM EDT, July 26, 2024
There are many types of pizza, but recently, the most popular has been Neapolitan. The True Neapolitan Pizza Association promotes knowledge about this pizza worldwide and trains pizzaiolos to prepare it according to strictly established rules. What makes this pie from Naples stand out? The key is not just the baking time.
Neapolitan pizza is distinguished by its excellent dough with crispy edges. This pizza has become one of the symbols of Italian cuisine and is known worldwide. In 2017, the pizza-making method was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Time matters
What is most important in Neapolitan pizza? Simple ingredients, proper dough preparation, and a short baking time. As for the ingredients, they should come from the Campania region. The most important are "00" flour, tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, and fresh basil. The dough is prepared only by hand using traditional methods. And the baking? Only in a wood-fired oven that reaches about 905 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the pizza is ready in 60-90 seconds and has a slightly crispy crust and a delicately moist center.