Frederic Melton
The placement of cheese on a pizza is a highly contested topic in the pizza world. While some people prefer the cheese to be on top of all the toppings, others opt for the cheese to be placed underneath. Ultimately, the choice depends on various factors, such as the type of crust, the nature of the toppings, and the desired texture and taste. For example, placing cheese on top of moisture-rich vegetables can prevent a soggy crust, while putting cheese under fatty meats can trap grease and excess liquid. Additionally, cultural preferences play a role, with Italian-style pizzas typically having less cheese than North American pizzas, and Chicago deep-dish pizzas layering cheese, toppings, and sauce differently.
Where to put cheese on a pizza?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese placement | Underneath toppings, unless "extra cheese" is requested |
| Reason | Customers like to see the cheese when they pay for more |
| Crust type | Thin crust pizzas need cheese underneath to create a stronger base |
| Toppings | Fatty meats and moisture-rich vegetables go on top to avoid a soggy pizza |
| Toppings (contd.) | Burn-prone toppings like dried oregano go under the cheese |
| Toppings (contd.) | Meat toppings generally go on top to get crispy |
| Toppings (contd.) | Pepperoni goes on top to get crispy, but under to keep it in place |
| Toppings (contd.) | Tomatoes go on top to cook properly |
| Toppings (contd.) | Basil, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes go under to avoid charring |
| Toppings (contd.) | Veggies go under to avoid shrivelling |
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What You'll Learn
- The placement of cheese affects the taste and texture of the pizza
- Vegetables are best placed on top of the cheese to avoid a soggy crust
- Meats are best placed on top of the cheese to get crispy
- The type of crust and the desired texture influence the placement of toppings
- There is no consensus on the placement of toppings, it comes down to personal preference
The placement of cheese affects the taste and texture of the pizza
The placement of cheese on a pizza can greatly impact its taste and texture. The choice of putting the cheese on the bottom or top of the toppings depends on various factors, including the type of crust, the nature of toppings, and the desired texture and taste.
For instance, when making a thin-crust pizza, layering the cheese first creates a stronger base to hold everything together, allowing for the addition of more toppings. In contrast, for a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, the layering order is typically cheese, toppings, more cheese, and finally, the sauce.
The nature of toppings also plays a crucial role in cheese placement. Fatty meats like salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo have high oil content and durability. Placing them on top of the cheese allows the fat to render out, preventing the pizza from becoming overly greasy. On the other hand, moisture-rich vegetables, when placed under the cheese, can trap moisture, leading to a soggy crust. Therefore, vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes are usually placed on top of the cheese to prevent them from drying out or shriveling.
Additionally, the desired texture and taste of the pizza influence cheese placement. If a crispy texture is preferred, toppings like pepperoni, ham, and onions are placed on top of the cheese. However, if a more traditional, slightly crispy texture is desired, the toppings are placed on top, while the cheese remains light and stringy.
Ultimately, the placement of cheese on a pizza involves a combination of science and personal preference. Experimenting with different layering approaches allows individuals to discover their ideal arrangement based on their taste preferences, ensuring a delicious and satisfying pizza experience.
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Vegetables are best placed on top of the cheese to avoid a soggy crust
When it comes to pizza, there are many ways to make it, and the decision to place toppings above or below the cheese depends on several factors. These include the type of crust, the nature of the toppings, and the desired texture. However, when it comes to vegetables, it is best to place them on top of the cheese to avoid a soggy crust.
Vegetables are mostly water, and when they are layered underneath the cheese, the moisture gets trapped between the cheese and the sauce. This trapped moisture is then released into the crust when the pizza is sliced, resulting in a soggy crust. By placing vegetables on top of the cheese, the moisture is allowed to evaporate during the baking process, preventing a soggy crust.
The placement of toppings can also affect the taste and texture of the pizza. For example, in North America, it is common to put cheese underneath toppings unless extra cheese is requested. In this case, all the cheese is loaded on top of the toppings so that customers can see the extra cheese they have paid for. Similarly, placing pepperoni or other meats on top of the cheese allows them to crisp up and curl at the edges, which is a desirable characteristic.
Additionally, the style of pizza can also determine the placement of toppings. For instance, Chicago deep-dish pizza involves layering cheese, toppings, more cheese, and finally sauce. On the other hand, Italian-style pizzas typically have a sparse layer of cheese, allowing the sauce and crust to be visible.
While there are no hard and fast rules, placing vegetables on top of the cheese is a recommended practice to prevent a soggy crust and achieve the desired taste and texture. Experimenting with different arrangements can help individuals find their preferred method for placing toppings on their pizzas.
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Meats are best placed on top of the cheese to get crispy
When it comes to pizza, everyone has their own preferences. However, if you want your meat toppings to be crispy, it is best to place them on top of the cheese.
Meat toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, salami, and chorizo, contain a high amount of fat. If placed underneath the cheese, the fat will render out and get trapped, resulting in a greasy pizza. In contrast, placing these toppings on top of the cheese allows the edges to crisp up in the high temperature of the pizza oven. This is a characteristic of Detroit-style pizza.
The placement of toppings also depends on the type of crust. For instance, a thin crust pizza like a St. Louis-style pizza requires the cheese to be layered first, creating a stronger base for the toppings. On the other hand, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza involves layering the cheese, followed by toppings, more cheese, and finally the sauce.
Additionally, the desired texture of the toppings plays a role in their placement. If you prefer your toppings with a slight crisp, placing them on top of the cheese is ideal. This is because the direct heat from the oven will crisp them up without burning.
It is worth noting that the amount of cheese used can also impact the placement of toppings. In North America, it is common to have a full "edge-to-edge" layer of cheese. However, Italian-style pizzas use significantly less cheese, allowing spots of the sauce and crust to be visible.
In summary, placing meat toppings on top of the cheese is recommended to achieve a crispy texture and prevent excess grease. Other factors, such as crust type, desired texture, and cheese amount, also influence the placement of toppings. Ultimately, experimenting with different methods will help you find the ideal arrangement based on your personal preferences.
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The type of crust and the desired texture influence the placement of toppings
The placement of toppings on a pizza is influenced by the type of crust and the desired texture. For instance, if you are making a thin-crust pizza, the crust needs extra protection to hold everything together. In this case, layering the cheese first creates a stronger base to add more toppings. On the other hand, if you are making a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, you will layer the cheese, then toppings, then more cheese, and lastly, the sauce. Most other pizza styles start with the crust and sauce, followed by cheese and toppings.
The desired texture of the toppings also plays a role in their placement. If you want your toppings to be crispy, such as semi-crispy pepperoni, placing them on top of the cheese is ideal. This is because toppings under the cheese do not cook as well and tend to stay moist. However, if you are using toppings that burn or dry out easily, like dried oregano or basil, placing them under the cheese can prevent them from burning.
Additionally, the nature of the toppings themselves can determine their placement. For example, if you are using fatty meats like pepperoni, salami, or sausage, placing them on top of the cheese allows them to crisp up and curl at the edges. In contrast, putting these meats under the cheese can make them greasy as the fat renders out and gets trapped. Similarly, moisture-rich vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms are best added on top of the cheese. If placed under the cheese, the moisture gets trapped, and when the pizza is sliced, it is released, creating a soggy-bottom crust.
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There is no consensus on the placement of toppings, it comes down to personal preference
There is no consensus on the placement of toppings on a pizza—it ultimately comes down to personal preference. The choice of placing toppings above or below the cheese depends on several factors, such as the type of crust, the nature of toppings, and the desired texture and taste.
For example, if you are using meat toppings, it is generally recommended to place them on top of the cheese. Meats tend to get crispy in the oven, and placing them on top ensures they don't dry out. However, some meats, like prosciutto, are better placed under the cheese to prevent them from drying out. Fatty meats, such as pepperoni, salami, sausage, and chorizo, should go on top, as putting them underneath the cheese can add extra grease to the pizza.
On the other hand, moisture-rich vegetables are typically placed on top of the cheese. This prevents the vegetables from making the crust soggy, as the moisture can escape during baking. However, if you want to avoid shriveled vegetables, placing them under the cheese can help retain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
The type of crust can also influence topping placement. For instance, a thin crust pizza may benefit from a layer of cheese first to create a stronger base for toppings. Additionally, the desired texture of the toppings themselves plays a role. If you prefer your toppings with a slight crisp, placing them on top of the cheese is ideal.
The amount of cheese used can also be a factor. In North America, it is common to put cheese underneath the toppings unless extra cheese is requested, in which case the extra cheese is loaded on top. This way, customers can see the extra cheese they paid for.
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Frequently asked questions
Putting cheese on the bottom of a pizza can help to protect the crust and prevent it from becoming soggy, especially if you are using moisture-rich vegetable toppings. It can also help to prevent toppings from burning or drying out.
Putting cheese on the top of a pizza can help to make the toppings crispy, especially if you are using meat toppings. It can also ensure that the customer gets what they are paying for as they are able to see the cheese.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Experimenting with different methods can help to find the ideal arrangement based on individual taste preferences.
