Types of Pizza Crust

The pizza was founded in Italy and it has a very long history, Some, people believe that the first time it was founded in the 1800s in Naples, located in Italy. Since that time chefs are trying to put their efforts to make it tastier by trying new ingredients and experimenting with new mixtures and shapes. Pizza has now a lot of types depending on its shape, taste, ingredients, and crust.

The taste, texture, thickness, and topping selection of any pizza is particularly depending on the type of crust being used. Moreover, the preparation of Pizza, its baking, appearance, and presentation are also affected by the type of crust used for it. So, we can also say that if someone wants to bring innovation in the pizza then the crust will be the catalyst for it.

So, to attract the customers the pizza makers must experiment with the different crust types, this will help them to increase their Menus by introducing new flavors of Pizza with different types of Crusts. Here are Types Crusts of Pizza which will provide some more insight into different types:

1. Thin Crust

Thin crust is the one with a thin layer and is further categorized into four types:

i.              Neapolitan Pizza

It is said that Neapolitan Pizza is originated from Neapolitan and is considered as the real Italian Pizza.

Neapolitan Pizza has its specific requirements:

-       The Neapolitan dough is hand-kneaded.

-       Its diameter should be less than 35 centimeters.

-       Its thickness must be less than one-third of centimeters.

-       And it should be baked in a wood-fired, domed oven.

If someone wants to try the authentic Italian Pizza, then this crust is the perfect one for him.

ii.            New York-Style Pizza

The New York Style Pizza is sold in the form of big slice and it has wide wedges. Since the early 1900s, it has become the trademark of Big Apple and the North East U.S.

The outside of the pizza is a little crispy, but it is soft enough to fold and to convert a bigger slice into a smaller one. A high-gluten bread is used for it.

iii.          St. Louis Pizza

Pizza is known for its regional specialty. The crust of St. Louis Pizza is thin, round-shaped, unleavened, and it is cracker-like. In the midwestern Pizza bars the most popular way is to serve, by cutting it into squares or rectangles instead of wedges, and this is also known as party cut or tavern cut.

iv.          Flatbread Crust

The flatbread crust is lighter in weight and it is airier. So, it is considered as ideal for less filling appetizers and personal-sized pizzas. They can be an appealing option for gourmet and trendy toppings.

2. Thick Crust 

The crust of these pizzas is thicker, and they are further categorized into three types:

i.              Traditional Pan Pizza

As this is the thick crust so its thickness is about half an inch. Pizza lovers mostly love this kind of crust. Pizza Hut is using this kind of crust in their pizzas. This crust has a soft and chewy center but on the outside, it is buttery and pan-fried taste. If some have to try custom flavors, then this crust is the best option. The customers all over the world like traditional pan pizza.

ii.            Deep Dish Pizza

The thickness of slices a deep-dish pizza is up to 2 inches. A good amount of toppings, cheese, and sauce can be added as this crust has a ledge. The pizza has a crispy and fried effect outside the crust because pies used are baked in a deep dish. It has a yellow tone and unique taste due to its ingredients i.e. cornmeal, semolina, and food coloring. It has its popularity in the Midwest.

iii.          Sicilian Pizza

Sicilian pizza has a thick crust and its shape is rectangular, its thickness is about one inch. This type of crust is copied from Italy and brought into the US by the people who migrated from Italy. They have their popularity in the upper Midwest and East Coast. Detroit-style pizza is also derived from the Sicilian pizza. It is fried in a well-oiled pan that makes it chewy in mid and fired on the outer side.

3. Authentic Wood-Fired Crusts

            People may confuse this pizza with Neapolitan pizza which is also cooked in a wood-fired oven. The wood-fired crusts have a deep and smoky taste, and they are light char from high baking temperatures.

4. Focaccia

Focaccia is very different from other types of crusts and is known for its uniqueness. It is not sauced most of the time. It has bready dough that has herbs infused in it and after that, it is brushed with olive oil before baking. More the toppings and cheese are added in very less amounts, make the taste of prominent. It can be used as an appetizer as well as a traditional pizza crust.

5. Custom Crusts

There are a lot of innovations in the pizza industry but surely that in the crust is the biggest. Pizzeria operators are thinking beyond traditional pizza dough due to special crusts that are invented in previous years. With custom crusts pizzeria distinguish their pizza from others to attract more customers and to increase their menus.

We can say that the crust is most important ingredient of Pizza and it can make a pizza unique from others if it has a unique taste. Moreover, with the innovation in crusts the owners can introduce new flavors by custom crusts.

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