The Great Pizza Debate: Cheese Or Pepperoni First?

There are many opinions on what goes on a pizza first—the cheese or the pepperoni—and it turns out that the answer depends on the type of pizza and personal preference.

The general consensus is that the sauce goes on the dough first, followed by the cheese, and then the toppings. This order allows the cheese to bubble, brown, and attain a deeper flavour and crisp texture. It also ensures that the toppings get direct heat, remaining crispy, and present an eye-catching display of colours, shapes, and textures.

However, there are exceptions to this order, such as Sicilian-style pizzas, where the cheese goes directly on the pizza crust, followed by the sauce. This style is common in Chicago and New York. The rationale behind this method is that the crust cooks better without the wet sauce directly on it.

The order of toppings is critical to avoid undercooked or mushy ingredients

The order of toppings is critical to the cooking process and the final texture and taste of the pizza. Putting toppings under the cheese can result in undercooked, mushy, or soggy ingredients.

When deciding the order of toppings, it's important to consider how they will hold up in the oven. Ovens use very hot, dry heat, which can cook foods quickly. This high heat will have a great effect on your toppings, especially if they are placed on top of the cheese. Ingredients that are sensitive to hot, dry temperatures should be placed under the cheese on the pizza, protecting them from the oven's heat. For example, spinach and fresh herbs are better placed under the cheese.

However, if the toppings are placed under the cheese, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked in the oven. The heat will cause the toppings to release water vapour as they cook, and this vapour will get trapped under the cheese, causing the toppings to steam. This can result in soggy pizza.

Therefore, to avoid soggy or mushy toppings, it is best to place them on top of the cheese so they can cook and crisp up. For example, if you put pineapple under the cheese, you will get pineapple mush. Similarly, pepperoni placed under the cheese may become soggy.

The classic pizza arrangement of crust, sauce, cheese, and then toppings is a standard for a reason. Toppings usually need the most cooking and direct heat, while sauce and cheese only need enough heat to warm through. As such, the general rule is to give the toppings that need the most cooking and browning, such as raw meat or vegetables, the most surface area on top of the pizza.

To avoid soggy pizza, put cheese before toppings

There is a lot of debate about the correct order in which to add toppings, cheese, and sauce to a pizza. While there are no fixed rules, and the order can vary by country and personal preference, there are some good reasons to put the cheese before the toppings.

The classic pizza arrangement, used in most cases, is crust, sauce, cheese, and then toppings. This is because toppings usually need the most cooking and direct heat, while sauce and cheese only need enough heat to warm them through. This way, all ingredients get the right amount of heat. Putting the cheese on first can lead to a soggy pizza as the toppings will not get the direct heat they need to cook thoroughly and crisp up.

When cheese is above the sauce, the heat melts and toasts it, giving it a robust flavor and a crispier texture. With toppings above the cheese, they also cook evenly and completely. The heat of the oven causes water vapor to be released from toppings. If toppings are hidden under the cheese, the vapor has nowhere to go, so your toppings will be in a steam bath, resulting in mushy ingredients and a soggy pizza. For example, if you cook a pizza with fruit or mushrooms under the cheese, you will get fruit or mushroom mush. If you bury pepperoni beneath a cheese layer, you will end up with soggy pepperoni. Very few pizza toppings benefit from being steamed, so to prevent ending up with mush, keep your toppings on top where they can cook and crisp up.

There are, however, some exceptions to the rule. Sicilian-style pizzas, for instance, put the cheese directly on the pizza crust, and then the sauce goes on top. This is common in Chicago and New York, and the idea is that the crust cooks better without the wet sauce directly on it. The Sicilian pizza is deeper and cooked in a tray, almost like a focaccia with toppings. It is traditional to put the cheese on first to help the thick, bread-like dough underneath to not become soggy.

Cheese placement depends on the type of pizza

The order in which you place the ingredients on a pizza is essential to avoid undercooked or mushy cheese and other ingredients, which would negatively impact the flavor, appearance, and texture of your pizza. The type of pizza you are making will determine the order in which you place the cheese.

For a classic pizza, the general rule is to put the sauce first, then the cheese, and finally, the toppings. This way, the cheese and toppings receive direct heat from the oven, allowing the toppings to cook thoroughly while remaining crispy, and the cheese to melt, brown, and bubble. This order is also important for the presentation of the pizza, as it allows you to easily see and identify the toppings, making the pizza more appetizing.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as the Sicilian-style pizza, where the cheese is placed directly on the pizza crust, followed by the sauce, and then the toppings. This style is commonly found in Chicago and New York and is believed to help the crust cook better by preventing the wet sauce from making direct contact with it. It is also done to prevent the thick, bread-like dough from becoming soggy.

Another exception is the Chicago-style "deep-dish" pizza, which reverses the order by covering thick layers of sausage and cheese with a final topping of sauce before baking. While this creates a uniquely decadent pizza, it does not result in the crispy, crunchy Neapolitan-style pizza that many people love.

When deciding the order of toppings, consider how they will hold up in the oven. If you have ingredients that are sensitive to high temperatures, place them under the cheese to protect them from direct heat. Conversely, if you have toppings that benefit from direct heat, such as raw meat or vegetables, place them on top of the cheese to ensure they cook thoroughly.

Additionally, if you are using dry toppings such as bacon, pepperoni, or olives, you may prefer to place the cheese on top to prevent them from drying out. This way, the cheese acts as a barrier, trapping in the moisture and preventing the toppings from becoming too crispy.

In conclusion, the placement of cheese depends on the type of pizza you are making and the specific toppings you are using. By considering the effects of the dry oven on your toppings, you can decide whether to place them under or over the cheese to achieve the desired texture and flavor.

The right order improves texture and flavour

The order in which you assemble your pizza is critical to achieving the right texture and flavour. The standard order of assembly is dough, sauce, cheese, and then toppings. This order ensures that each ingredient receives the right amount of heat. Toppings typically require the most cooking and direct heat, while sauce and cheese only need enough heat to warm them through.

When cheese is above the sauce, the heat melts and toasts it, giving it a deeper flavour and crispier texture. With the toppings above the cheese, they cook evenly and completely, without becoming soggy or mushy. This is because heat from the oven causes toppings to release water vapour as they cook. If the toppings are under the cheese, the vapour gets trapped, causing the toppings to steam. This can be avoided by keeping the toppings on top, where they can cook and crisp up.

The standard order also allows for better presentation. By adding the toppings last, you can easily see what is on the pizza, and the eye-catching colours of the toppings will make the pizza look more appetising.

There are, however, some exceptions to the standard order. Sicilian-style pizzas, for example, put the cheese directly on the pizza crust, followed by the sauce. This helps the thick, bread-like dough to not become soggy. Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas also reverse the order, with sauce going on last. While this creates a uniquely decadent pizza, it won't result in the crispy, crunchy Neapolitan-style pizza that many people love.

Steel is better than stone for cooking pizza

There are a few different opinions on whether cheese or pepperoni should go on a pizza first. Some people suggest that the sauce goes on the pizza dough first, followed by cheese and then toppings. This allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and the toppings to become crisp. Others suggest that toppings that are sensitive to heat should be placed under the cheese to protect them from the oven's heat.

Now, onto the question of whether steel is better than stone for cooking pizza. The answer is yes! Here are four to six paragraphs explaining why:

Steel is a superior material to stone when it comes to cooking pizza. Steel conducts heat better than stone, resulting in a crispier, more evenly cooked pizza. It also stores more heat per unit volume, which is key to creating a pizza that is light and crisp with a characteristic hole structure and char. This makes steel particularly well-suited for cooking thin-crust pizzas, such as Neapolitan-style pies, as the intense blast of heat is crucial for achieving the desired level of browning and oven spring in a short amount of time.

Another advantage of using steel is its durability. Pizza stones can crack or break over time due to sudden changes in temperature, but steel is more durable and can withstand higher temperatures without cracking. This makes steel a more cost-effective option in the long run, as it will last longer and provide more consistent results.

Additionally, steel is easier to clean than stone. Pizza stones can be porous, absorbing soap and other residues, which can affect the taste of your pizza over time. Steel, on the other hand, can be easily washed with hot water and mild soap, making it a more hygienic option.

Steel is also more conductive than stone, which means it transfers more heat to the pizza dough. This results in a faster cooking time and a crispier crust. Steel also won't shatter like stone, making it a safer option for your kitchen.

Finally, steel is better at retaining heat than stone. This makes it easier to bake multiple pizzas in a row, as the steel will stay hot and won't require as much time to preheat between pizzas. This is especially useful when cooking for a large group or if you're running a pizza business, as it will reduce the time and energy required to cook multiple pizzas.

In conclusion, steel is the better choice for cooking pizza when compared to stone. It produces superior results, is more durable and conductive, easier to clean, and better at retaining heat. With steel, you'll be able to achieve that perfect pizza crust and consistency that you've been striving for.

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