Old Forge Pizza: The Secret Cheese Blend

Old Forge pizza, which originated in Pennsylvania, is known for its distinctive blend of cheeses. While the exact combination remains a closely guarded secret, it is believed to include a variety of cheeses such as mozzarella, parmesan, Romano, American, cheddar, and Coopers. Each pizzeria in Old Forge has its own unique cheese blend, which is considered the key to their success. The pizzas are baked in rectangular metal trays, giving them a unique shape and a crispy bottom crust with a chewy texture. Old Forge pizza is a source of pride for the community, and the town has even branded itself as the pizza capital of the world.

Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano

The cheese blend is a closely guarded secret in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, the self-proclaimed "pizza capital of the world". Each pizzeria has its own unique blend, which is a source of pride and competition among the close-knit pizza community. While the exact recipes are kept under wraps, it is known that the blends often include a mix of Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, as well as other varieties like American, cheddar, and Coopers.

The Old Forge pizza style originated in the early 20th century when Italian immigrants, mostly from the Campania region of Italy, settled in the town. The matriarch of the Ghigiarelli family, who owned a local tavern, is credited with starting the tradition of serving pizzas baked in rectangular metal pans to coal miners who would unwind and play cards after a long day's work. Over time, other entrepreneurs in the town built upon this style, adding their own signature twists, and the Old Forge pizza was born.

The unique shape of the pizza is a defining characteristic, deviating from the traditional round pies. The rectangular shape allows for a unique distribution of toppings, with a layer of cheese covering the entire surface of the dough, creating a gooey, savoury delight. The crust is another key feature, achieving a delicate balance between a crispy bottom and a chewy texture beneath the sauce.

While the specific techniques and recipes may vary from pizzeria to pizzeria in Old Forge, the use of Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses is a common thread that ties these pizzas together. The blend of these cheeses creates a distinctive taste that has become synonymous with the Old Forge style, attracting foodies from around the world to this former coal-mining town in the Appalachians.

Cheddars, Coopers, and American

Old Forge-style pizza is a unique variety of pizza that originated in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. This style of pizza is characterised by its rectangular shape, crispy bottom crust, and a chewy texture beneath the sauce. The sauce itself is slightly sweet and chunky, with a hint of onion. The cheese blend on Old Forge pizza varies by establishment, but often includes a mix of mozzarella, parmesan, Romano, and American cheeses, contributing to its distinctive taste.

According to Jim Mirabelli, who covers the northeast Pennsylvania pizza scene in his popular NEPAPizzaReview.com blog, the cheese blend is the big secret of Old Forge pizza. He speculates that it often includes processed cheeses like Coopers, cheddars, American, and maybe even a brick of cheese. However, no one has ever revealed their exact cheese blend to him, as each blend is unique and brings different flavours to the pie.

The use of processed cheese in Old Forge pizza is an interesting aspect, as it sets it apart from other pizza styles that typically use fresh mozzarella or other cheeses. While some may consider processed cheese to be of lower quality, in the context of Old Forge pizza, it contributes to the distinct flavour and texture that has made it a local favourite. The combination of cheddars, Coopers, and American cheese creates a rich and creamy flavour profile that pairs well with the slightly sweet and chunky sauce.

While the exact ratios and additional ingredients in the cheese blend remain a closely guarded secret by the pizzerias in Old Forge, it is clear that cheddars, Coopers, and American cheese play a crucial role in creating the signature taste of this regional pizza style. The sense of community and camaraderie among the pizzeria owners in Old Forge is also worth noting, as they have banded together to promote their town as the "pizza capital of the world," attracting foodies from around the globe to this former coal-mining town in the Appalachians.

Sweet and slightly oniony sauce

The sauce is a key element in Old Forge-style pizza. It has a slightly sweet and oniony flavour, which gives the pizza a unique and memorable taste. The sauce is also chunkier and more robust than a typical New York-style sauce, and has been compared to a spaghetti sauce.

The distinct flavour comes from the use of onions, which some establishments may use more of than others. The sauce is also characterised by its sweetness, which comes from the type of tomatoes used. The chefs at Old Forge pizza restaurants are secretive about their exact recipes, but it is known that they use a variety of different canned tomatoes, which gives the sauce its unique sweet taste.

The sauce is said to be "robust", with a strong flavour that you can taste immediately. It is also described as having a more "chunkier" texture than other pizza sauces. This chunkiness is likely due to the use of onions, which are also a key contributor to the sauce's memorable flavour.

The sauce is a key part of the Old Forge pizza-making process, and getting the right flavour and texture is essential to replicating this style of pizza. The combination of sweetness and onion flavour creates a complex and intriguing taste that keeps people coming back for more. It is a testament to the Italian immigrant community's significant contribution to the local culinary landscape.

Crispy bottom crust

Achieving the perfect crispy bottom crust is an art form that Old Forge pizzerias have perfected. This unique style of pizza, originating in the small town of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, takes pride in its distinct crust, which strikes a delicate balance between a crispy base and a chewy centre.

The secret to the crispy bottom crust lies in the baking technique employed by the pizzerias in Old Forge. After baking the pizza in rectangular metal pans, the pizza makers take it off the pan and place it directly on the brick oven. This final crisping step ensures that the crust achieves a slight crispness on the bottom without compromising the chewy texture that makes it so special.

The crust itself is not the only factor contributing to the crispiness. The choice of oil used in the pan also plays a role. Old Forge pizza makers use a variety of oils, including peanut oil, vegetable oil, and olive oil, each imparting a unique residual flavour to the crust. Additionally, the density and softness of the dough, achieved through specific hydration levels and techniques, influence the crispiness of the bottom crust.

To replicate the crispy bottom crust of Old Forge pizza, it is essential to use a rectangular metal pan and bake the pizza at elevated temperatures. The distinctive crust texture of this style is a result of the combination of the right ingredients, baking method, and equipment. By exploring different cheese combinations, sauce formulations, and experimenting with various oils and dough recipes, you can create your own version of Old Forge pizza with a crispy bottom crust.

The crispy bottom crust of Old Forge pizza is a testament to the pride and dedication of its makers. It is a delicate balance of textures and flavours that has become a hallmark of this unique pizza style, setting it apart from other regional varieties and contributing to its reputation as a distinguished variant in the pizza universe.

Chewy texture beneath the sauce

Old Forge pizza, originating from the small town of Old Forge in Pennsylvania, is known for its unique blend of cheeses, which remains a closely guarded secret by the pizzerias that serve it. The cheese blend is said to be the key factor in what makes each Old Forge pizza special, with each restaurant developing its own signature mix.

While the exact recipes are kept under wraps, it is speculated that the blends typically include a variety of cheeses such as mozzarella, parmesan, Romano, American, cheddar, and Coopers. These cheeses contribute to the distinctive taste of Old Forge pizza, with its hallmark crust that is crispy on the bottom while retaining a chewy texture beneath the sauce.

The chewy texture beneath the sauce is a result of the combination of cheeses used, as well as the baking technique employed by Old Forge pizzerias. The pizzas are baked in rectangular metal trays, which not only gives them their unique shape but also contributes to the chewy texture of the crust. The high temperatures used during baking also play a role in achieving the desired texture.

To recreate the chewy texture beneath the sauce, it is essential to use the right blend of cheeses and bake the pizza in a rectangular metal pan at elevated temperatures. This combination of factors will result in a crust that is crispy on the outside yet chewy and moist on the inside, creating a delightful contrast of textures that has become synonymous with Old Forge pizza.

The sauce itself also plays a crucial role in the overall taste experience of Old Forge pizza. Characterized by a slightly sweet and oniony flavor, the sauce is chunkier and more robust than the traditional New York-style sauce. It is this combination of a unique sauce, a blend of cheeses, and a chewy crust that makes Old Forge pizza a beloved and distinctive culinary tradition.

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