What Kind of Cheese Do Professional Pizzerias Use?
Explore the types of cheese that professional pizzerias use to make their pizzas irresistible.
What Kind of Cheese Do Professional Pizzerias Use?
Cheese is the heart and soul of any pizza, and professional pizzerias know this better than anyone. The type of cheese used can make or break a pizza's taste, texture, and overall appeal. In this article, we'll delve into the cheeses that professional pizzerias commonly use to craft their mouth-watering pizzas.
Table of Contents
Why Cheese Choice Matters in Pizzerias
For professional pizzerias, cheese isn't just a topping; it's a critical component that affects flavor, meltability, and visual appeal. The right cheese can enhance the other ingredients and create a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.
Common Cheeses Used by Professional Pizzerias
Mozzarella
- Flavor Profile: Mild, creamy
- Texture: Stretchy, smooth melt
- Types:
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella: Common in American pizzerias for its excellent melting properties and longer shelf life.
- Fresh Mozzarella: Used in Neapolitan-style pizzas for its delicate flavor and creamy texture.
- Buffalo Mozzarella: Made from water buffalo milk, offering a richer taste, popular in gourmet pizzerias.
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese in professional pizzerias due to its ideal melting characteristics and mild flavor that complements various toppings.
Provolone
- Flavor Profile: Mild to sharp, depending on aging
- Texture: Semi-hard, smooth melt
- Best For: Enhancing the flavor profile when blended with mozzarella.
Provolone is often used in combination with mozzarella to add depth and a slightly sharper taste to the cheese blend.
Parmesan and Romano
- Flavor Profile: Salty, nutty
- Texture: Hard, granular
- Usage: Typically grated and sprinkled over pizza after baking.
These hard cheeses are used to add an extra layer of flavor. They are not primary melting cheeses but are essential for finishing touches.
Cheddar
- Flavor Profile: Sharp, tangy
- Texture: Semi-hard, good melt
- Usage: Common in certain regional styles or specialty pizzas.
While not traditional, some pizzerias incorporate cheddar into their cheese blends to introduce a sharper flavor.
Specialty Cheeses
Professional pizzerias may also use a variety of specialty cheeses to create unique pizzas:
- Gouda: Offers a smoky flavor, great for BBQ pizzas.
- Goat Cheese: Adds a tangy taste, ideal for gourmet pizzas with vegetables.
- Ricotta: Used in dollops for a creamy texture.
Cheese Blends
Many pizzerias use custom cheese blends to achieve a specific flavor and texture profile:
- Mozzarella and Provolone Blend: Enhances flavor while maintaining good meltability.
- Three-Cheese Blend: Mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar for a complex taste.
- Four-Cheese Blend: Mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, and asiago.
Blending cheeses allows pizzerias to differentiate their pizzas and cater to various taste preferences.
Factors Influencing Cheese Selection
- Pizza Style: Different styles like Neapolitan, New York, or Chicago deep-dish require specific cheeses.
- Regional Preferences: Local tastes influence cheese choices; for example, St. Louis-style pizza uses Provel cheese.
- Cost and Availability: Commercial pizzerias balance quality with cost-effectiveness.
- Shelf Life: Low-moisture cheeses have a longer shelf life, making them practical for high-volume pizzerias.
Conclusion
Professional pizzerias carefully select their cheeses to create the perfect pizza experience. While mozzarella remains the staple, many pizzerias blend in other cheeses to enhance flavor and texture. Understanding the cheeses used by professionals can help you replicate your favorite pizzeria-style pizza at home.