Cheese On Pizza: Mozzarella And More!

Pizza is a universal dish that can be customised with a variety of toppings and cheeses to suit all tastes. The cheese is the star of the show, providing a gooey, melty magic that brings everything together. Mozzarella is the classic choice for pizza due to its mild, creamy flavour and perfect meltability, but there are many other types of cheese that can be used to add depth of flavour or a unique twist. This includes provolone, cheddar, ricotta, gouda, Monterey Jack, burrata, goat cheese, parmesan, fontina, and pecorino. When selecting cheese for pizza, it is best to choose young, soft cheeses with great meltability and to shred your own cheese to avoid additives.

Mozzarella is the classic choice for pizza

Mozzarella is a fine choice for pizza, but it's not your only option. When choosing a cheese for your pizza, consider its meltability and stretchability. Harder, more aged cheeses tend to melt less easily, so softer, younger cheeses are usually a better choice.

Mozzarella ticks all the boxes for a classic pizza. It has a mild flavour that pairs well with a variety of toppings, and its meltability and stretchability are unparalleled. It browns well, adding a golden, bubbly finish to your pizza.

However, one downside of using mozzarella is its high moisture content. Fresh mozzarella, in particular, can release moisture during baking, leading to a soggy crust. To avoid this, opt for low-moisture mozzarella or take the time to thoroughly dry fresh mozzarella before adding it to your pizza.

When it comes to pizza cheese, mozzarella is a versatile choice that can be used alone or in combination with other cheeses. It is a key ingredient in creating the classic, stretchy, gooey texture that has come to define the pizza-eating experience.

So, if you're looking for a cheese that will give you that perfect melt and stretch, mozzarella is the way to go. Its mild flavour and browning properties make it an excellent base for a variety of pizza creations. Just be mindful of the moisture content, especially if using fresh mozzarella, to ensure your pizza crust stays crisp and delicious.

Low-moisture mozzarella is best for avoiding a soggy pizza

Pizza is a beloved dish worldwide, and while there are many ways to make it, the type of cheese used is critical. The classic pizza cheese is mozzarella, famed for its mild flavour, smooth melt, and fabulous cheese pull. However, fresh mozzarella, with its high moisture content, can cause a soggy pizza. This is where low-moisture mozzarella comes in, offering a solution to this common pizza problem.

Low-moisture mozzarella is a pizza chef's secret weapon against a soggy pie. It is created by allowing fresh mozzarella to further sour and then carefully drying it in a controlled environment. This process reduces its moisture content, resulting in a longer shelf life, better melt, and a tangier flavour.

The benefits of low-moisture mozzarella are twofold: firstly, it addresses the issue of excess moisture, and secondly, it enhances the flavour. Fresh mozzarella, with its high water content, can make pizza watery, causing a delightful meal to turn into a damp, disappointing mess. Low-moisture mozzarella, on the other hand, ensures that your pizza crust remains intact, with the cheese stretching and melting beautifully without turning soupy.

Additionally, low-moisture mozzarella has a saltier and denser flavour profile. The ageing process allows various bacteria to work their magic, giving the cheese some of the tangy characteristics of aged cheeses like provolone or cheddar. This added tang pairs perfectly with other pizza toppings, enhancing the overall flavour of your pizza.

When selecting low-moisture mozzarella, opt for whole-milk cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded mozzarella often contains desiccating powders like cellulose, potato, or cornstarch, which give the cheese an unpleasant texture. Block cheese, while requiring more effort, will result in a superior melt and a better overall pizza experience.

If you're a pizza enthusiast, don't settle for a soggy slice. Choose low-moisture mozzarella to ensure your pizza is crisp, flavourful, and delightfully cheesy, without the risk of a damp disaster. With this cheese, you can enjoy the perfect combination of a crunchy base and gooey, stretchy cheese in every bite.

Provolone is a flavourful semi-hard cheese that melts beautifully

Provolone is often blended with mozzarella to create a mix of flavours and textures. The sharpness of provolone combines well with the mild, creamy flavour of mozzarella. This blend is perfect for those who want the iconic stretchiness of mozzarella with a more intense flavour.

Provolone is best suited for meat lovers' pizzas, veggie pizzas, and any pizza that could use a flavour boost. It is also a good option for those who want a pizza with a classic pizzeria taste.

When selecting provolone for your pizza, opt for a younger cheese for maximum stretchability and a milder flavour. If you're looking for a stronger flavour, choose an aged provolone for a sharper taste. Use a younger cheese on its own or blend either variety with mozzarella for a flavour boost on your next pie.

Cheddar is a bold, tangy and firm cheese

Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of recipes, including those that require melting, such as grilled cheese, and those that require a firmer texture, such as cheese boards. Its sharpness and tanginess can add a depth of flavour to dishes, and its meltability makes it a popular choice for dishes like mac and cheese and queso.

The sharpness of cheddar is directly related to its aging process. The longer cheddar is aged, the sharper and tangier it becomes. This is because, over time, more water evaporates from the cheese, concentrating the flavour. The aging process also affects the texture of the cheese, making it firmer and less moist.

Cheddar is produced all over the world and has no Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The style and quality of cheddar can vary greatly depending on where it is produced and how it is made. For example, some cheddars are smoked, while others are labelled as mild, sharp, or extra sharp, indicating the maturation period and flavour intensity.

When used on pizza, cheddar provides a sharp, nutty, and rich flavour. Its meltability and stretchability make it a good choice for creating those gooey, messy strands of cheese that can make eating pizza a delightfully challenging experience. However, it is important to note that the older and firmer the cheddar, the less willing it is to melt. Therefore, a younger, less aged cheddar is a better choice for pizza.

Cheddar's versatility, bold flavour, and meltability make it a popular cheese for a variety of dishes, including pizza. Its sharpness and tanginess can add a unique flavour profile to pizza, especially when paired with other toppings.

Fresh mozzarella has a higher water content and can make pizza soggy

Fresh mozzarella is a popular choice for pizza due to its soft texture and milky taste, but it has a higher water content than other types of cheese commonly used on pizza. This means that it can release moisture when melted, leading to a soggy pizza base.

To avoid a soggy pizza, it is recommended to use low-moisture mozzarella, which is a saltier and denser variety of the cheese. Low-moisture mozzarella has a longer shelf life and is less likely to make your pizza soggy because it releases less moisture when melted.

If you only have access to fresh mozzarella, there are a few steps you can take to reduce its water content before adding it to your pizza. One method is to dice the cheese and place it between paper towels for 30 minutes to absorb some of the moisture. Another technique is to pat the cheese dry and then let it air dry on paper towels for 10 to 20 minutes before adding it to your pizza.

Additionally, pairing fresh mozzarella with a harder, aged cheese like Parmesan can help reduce the chances of a soggy pizza. Aged cheeses like Parmesan have a lower moisture content and can add a boost of flavour to your pizza without making it soggy.

Frequently asked questions