What's the Best Cheese for NY-Style Pizza?
Discover the ideal cheese that gives New York-style pizza its iconic flavor and texture.
What's the Best Cheese for NY-Style Pizza?
New York-style pizza is renowned worldwide for its thin, foldable slices and perfectly balanced flavors. A critical component that contributes to its iconic taste and texture is the cheese. But what exactly is the best cheese for NY-style pizza? In this article, we'll explore the cheese that makes New York pizza so special and how you can replicate it at home.
Table of Contents
Characteristics of NY-Style Pizza
Before diving into the cheese, it's essential to understand what sets NY-style pizza apart:
- Thin Crust: Hand-tossed and stretched to achieve a thin, foldable crust.
- Large Slices: Typically cut into eight large slices.
- Simple Toppings: Often features minimal toppings to let the flavors shine.
- High-Temperature Baking: Cooked in deck ovens at high temperatures for a crisp crust.
The Ideal Cheese for NY-Style Pizza
Low-Moisture Mozzarella
- Flavor Profile: Mild, slightly salty, creamy.
- Texture: Firm when cold, melts smoothly with excellent stretch.
- Type Used: Low-moisture, whole-milk or part-skim mozzarella.
Why It's the Best:
- Melting Qualities: Low-moisture mozzarella melts evenly and develops the desired stretchiness without becoming watery.
- Browning: It browns nicely, adding to the visual appeal and flavor through caramelization.
- Flavor Balance: Its mild taste complements the tomato sauce and crust without overpowering them.
Most NY pizzerias use low-moisture, whole-milk mozzarella for its superior flavor and melting characteristics. Part-skim mozzarella is also common due to its lower fat content and firmer texture.
Why Not Fresh Mozzarella?
- High Moisture Content: Fresh mozzarella contains a lot of water, which can make the pizza soggy.
- Different Texture: It doesn't provide the same stretchy, chewy texture associated with NY-style pizza.
- Flavor Profile: Fresh mozzarella has a more delicate flavor, which is better suited to Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Cheese Blends and Alternatives
While low-moisture mozzarella is the standard, some pizzerias enhance their cheese blend for added flavor.
Provolone
- Flavor Profile: Mild to sharp, depending on aging.
- Usage: Blended with mozzarella to add depth.
Adding a small percentage of provolone can introduce a subtle sharpness and creaminess.
Parmesan and Romano
- Flavor Profile: Nutty, salty.
- Usage: Grated over the pizza after baking.
These hard cheeses are excellent for finishing touches, adding an extra layer of savory flavor.
Tips for Using Cheese on NY-Style Pizza
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting. Grate cheese from a block for the best results.
- Even Distribution: Spread the cheese evenly to ensure consistent melting and coverage.
- Quantity Matters: Use enough cheese to cover the sauce but not so much that it overpowers the other elements.
- Proper Storage: Keep the cheese refrigerated and use it within its shelf life to maintain freshness.
Conclusion
The best cheese for NY-style pizza is undoubtedly low-moisture mozzarella. Its melting properties, flavor, and texture make it the ideal choice for achieving that classic New York slice. By understanding the role of cheese in NY-style pizza and following some simple tips, you can recreate this iconic pizza at home. So grab a block of low-moisture mozzarella, fire up your oven, and enjoy a taste of New York in your own kitchen.