Andy Montoya
Pizza is one of the world's most popular foods, and a key ingredient is cheese. But which type of cheese is best? The answer depends on several factors: browning capability, melting ability, stretchiness, fat content, and moisture content. The most popular cheese for pizza is mozzarella, which is known for its meltability and stretchiness, as well as its delicate, milky flavour. However, other types of cheese can also be used on pizza, including cheddar, parmesan, provolone, and gouda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular | Mozzarella |
| Runner-up | Provolone |
| Other options | Cheddar, Parmesan, Havarti, Gorgonzola, Goat Cheese, Pecorino-Romano, Gruyere, Ricotta |
| Melting Ability | Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar, Gruyere |
| Stretchiness | Mozzarella, Provolone, Gruyere |
| Browning Capability | Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyere, Goat Cheese |
| Fat Content | Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyere, Goat Cheese |
| Moisture Content | Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyere, Goat Cheese, Ricotta |
What You'll Learn
Mozzarella
Aged mozzarella is better for slower-baking pizzas like the New York-style pizza. Its low moisture content means it browns beautifully, and some pizzerias will use a blend of whole and part-skimmed to achieve the look they want. Aged mozzarella usually comes as a block or ready-grated. It is recommended to grate your own block of well-chilled aged mozzarella, as pre-grated cheese tends to have anti-caking agents added.
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Cheddar
If you're using cheddar on a pizza, you could pair it with some of the following toppings:
- Savoury meat
- Sweet pineapple
- Chicken bacon ranch
- Cheeseburger
- Buffalo chicken
For a blend of cheeses, cheddar is often combined with mozzarella and parmesan.
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Parmesan
A blend of Parmesan, Asiago and sharp cheddar can be used to increase meltability. Parmesan also works well in a four-cheese pizza, combined with mozzarella, gorgonzola and havarti, or with mozzarella, sharp cheddar and asiago.
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Provolone
A simple Provolone pizza can be made with pre-made dough, Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and grated parmesan. The provolone is sliced and placed on top of the parmesan, with the tomatoes added on top, seasoned, and then baked.
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Blue Cheese
If you're feeling adventurous, try a blue cheese pizza inspired by toasted sourdough with funky blue cheese and homemade kumquat marmalade. The idea is to balance the full range of flavours: sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami. The radicchio supports the bitter note of the marmalade while also countering its sweetness. The turkey fennel sausage complements the savoury blue cheese while standing up to its natural funk.
So, if you're looking to add some extra flavour to your pizza, consider using blue cheese. With its strong taste and aroma, it's sure to elevate your pizza experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and provolone are the four main pizza cheese types, but many other cheese varieties can be incorporated into your gourmet pies to add a unique taste. Other options include gouda, goat cheese, gruyere, and ricotta.
Low-moisture mozzarella has a longer shelf life with a saltier, denser flavor than high-moisture mozzarella. This low-moisture component also helps it melt faster when baked, making it a good option for a less soggy pizza.
If you want a more pungent flavor, then try Swiss cheese, provolone, or even blue cheese.
