What is New York Style Pizza — Beginners Guide

New York style pizza is undoubtedly one of the most famous pizza varieties in the USA. If you are a pizza lover, you may have heard of it as well. Possibly, you have relished it. However, what is the factor that makes New York-style pizza different from the others? Well, I will discuss everything related to New York Pizza to help you know all about its uniqueness. From ingredients to specialties, I will mention everything we use to make it a perfect choice for pizza lovers.

Let’s start.

What is New York Style Pizza?

In NYC, pizza is the most famous for its big foldable slices. The crust is just thin enough to be crispy at the edge and yet thin enough to fold in half. The fact that it is a fast food and can be eaten on the go makes it very convenient for New Yorkers who are always on the run. In contrast to other pizzas, the possibility of folding it is the advantage that makes it popular among many people. Consequently, the majority of people buy it in personalized pizza boxes and have it on the run.

New York Style Pizza Ingredients

The components of New York style pizza are just several and yet of the best quality. The dough is from high-gluten bread flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt. The interplay of these two ingredients produces a crust that is both chewy and crispy. The sauce is an assemblage of canned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, sugar, and oregano. The cheese type is usually mozzarella, which melts perfectly when baked and provides the pizza with its original flavor.

What Makes New York Pizza Different?

You may consider what distinguishes New York pizza from other kinds of pizza. The major discrepancy is the crust. The crust is thin and crispy, but at the same time, it is flexible. It is the NY-style pizza. The process of mixing the flour and baked products is essential. The crust is thrown by hand to get a thin, uniform base. Then, it is baked in a very hot oven which contributes to this ideal combination of chewiness and crispiness.

Additionally, the size of the pizza is also a distinguishing feature. New York style pizzas are usually large, with each slice being quite big. This is different from other styles like Neapolitan pizza, which are smaller and usually eaten with a knife and fork.

Types of New York Pizza

A number of New York-style pizzas can be seen in different forms, so be aware of that. In the standard version, you have the plain cheese pizza, which is just the dough, sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Nevertheless, you can do many other things with toppings to make your pizza more special. The most favorite toppings are pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers.

The last one is a white pizza that has no tomato sauce. In place of it, it is topped with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and often with garlic and spinach. This kind of pizza is known for its rich and creamy flavor that sets it apart from other varieties.

The History of New York Pizza

New York-style pizza has a very long history that goes back to the first part of the twentieth century. It was originated by Italians who came to the United States and settled in New York City. The first pizzeria in the U.S.A., Lombardi’s, was opened in 1905 in Manhattan. This was the place where New York-style pizza was invented. It had become a quality of New York cuisine over the years, and its popularity spread across the country.

What is the Best Cheese for Pizza?

The tastiest cheese for New York style pizza is mozzarella. Mozzarella cheese melts perfectly well and has a delicate, creamy taste with which the tomato sauce and crust go perfectly. The other pizza shops often use a blend of cheeses which include provolone and cheddar to add more taste. Nevertheless, if you want to use mozzarella to keep it simple, it is an option.

Difference Between Chicago and New York Style

You might have heard, at one point or another, of the controversy surrounding Chicago versus New York-style pizza. The first and the most apparent distinction is the crust. In Chicago-type pizza, known as deep-dish pizza, there is a thick crust that is like a pie. It’s baked in a deep, round pan, which makes it look like a giant pizza with a high edge and a lot of cheese and toppings. Unlike Chicago-style pizza, which has a thicker, chewier crust that is great for eating with a fork and knife, New York style pizza has a thin, crispy crust that is ideal for folding.

On the other hand, the manner of service is not the same. Chicago-style pizza is normally eaten with a knife and fork, as it is a little thicker than the other pizzas and has a lot of toppings. This pizza is a finger food that you eat with your hands. This convenience is one of the reasons why people are attracted to the burrito: you can fold it in half and eat it on the go.

Concluding

New York-style pizza is not only a kind of pizza but also a culinary tradition that is deeply rooted in the city’s culture. It is a part of the cultural and historical heritage of New York. The super thin, crispy crust, basic ingredients, and the large, foldable pieces make it so unique. From plain cheese pizzas to pizzas with all sorts of toppings, the New York style pizza has something for everyone. Come to New York next time and taste it, and you will find out the truth without any doubt.