Bushra Griffith
Pizza is a versatile dish that can be topped with a variety of cheeses. While mozzarella is the most popular choice, other options include cheddar, parmesan, provolone, ricotta, fontina, gouda, jack, muenster, and swiss. Each cheese brings its own unique flavour and texture to the pizza, with some melting better than others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, provolone, ricotta, gouda, jack, muenster, fontina |
| Texture | Stretchy, gooey, fluffy, creamy, lumpy |
| Taste | Mild, sweet, savoury, milky, salty |
| Moisture | Low |
| Fat content | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella
Pizza cheese typically has a low moisture level and a low-fat content, which creates the desired melting and stretchability. Mozzarella is the most popular choice of cheese for pizza. It is known for its perfect meltability and mild, creamy flavour, and it creates that iconic stretchy, gooey layer that pizza lovers crave. Fresh mozzarella, with its soft texture and milky taste, adds a touch of elegance, while the low-moisture version is great for achieving that golden-brown bubbly finish. It is best for traditional Margherita pizza, Neapolitan-style pizza, and pretty much any pizza you can think of!
When making a pizza, it is important to use the right type of mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella has a higher moisture content and is best used for fresh, uncooked dishes such as caprese salad or bruschetta. For pizza, it is better to use low-moisture mozzarella, which has a firmer texture and melts more easily. This type of mozzarella is also less perishable and has a longer shelf life.
To use mozzarella on a pizza, it is usually shredded or grated and then sprinkled on top of the other toppings. It can also be mixed with other cheeses, such as cheddar or parmesan, to create a more complex flavour. Mozzarella melts at a relatively low temperature, so it is important not to overcook the pizza or the cheese will become tough and rubbery.
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Cheddar
Pizza cheese typically has a low moisture level (around 50-52%) and a low-fat content (around 35-40%). This creates the desired melting and stretchiness. Although there are various types of cheese available, not all belong on a pizza.
For a unique twist on a classic, try using a combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on your next pizza. The mozzarella will provide the iconic stretch and gooeyness that pizza lovers crave, while the cheddar will add a sharp, tangy flavour. This combination is sure to elevate your pizza-making skills to the next level!
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Parmesan
Pizza is a versatile dish that can be topped with a variety of cheeses, each bringing its own unique flavour and texture. While mozzarella is the most popular choice, there are several other options, including parmesan.
When choosing parmesan for pizza, it is important to select a high-quality cheese. Authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano, made in Italy according to traditional methods, is considered the best option. This cheese has a complex flavour with notes of fruit and nut, and a slightly grainy texture that melts on the tongue. Lesser-quality parmesans may have a more bitter or sour taste and a drier, crumblier texture.
While parmesan can be used as the only cheese on a pizza, it is often combined with other cheeses, such as mozzarella or provolone, to create a more complex flavour and texture. For example, a pizza might feature a base of stretchy, gooey mozzarella topped with a generous sprinkling of parmesan for added savouriness and crunch.
In addition to its use as a topping, parmesan can also be incorporated into the pizza dough itself. Grated parmesan can be mixed into the dough, adding a subtle savoury flavour and a slightly denser texture. This is a good option for those who want the flavour of parmesan throughout the entire pizza, not just on top.
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Provolone
Pizza cheese typically has a low moisture level (~50-52%) and a low-fat content (~35-40%), which creates the desired melting and stretchability. Mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and provolone are the four main pizza cheese types, but many other cheese varieties can be incorporated into your gourmet pies.
Mozzarella is the most popular choice for pizza, but provolone is another great option. Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese with a mild, nutty flavour. It has a higher melting point than mozzarella, which makes it ideal for pizzas as it won't become greasy. Provolone also has a slightly tangy taste, which can add a nice sharpness to your pizza.
When choosing provolone for your pizza, look for a young, minimally aged variety as it will have a lower melting point and melt more evenly. You can also find smoked provolone, which has a more intense flavour and can add a unique twist to your pizza.
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Ricotta
Pizza cheese typically has a low moisture level and a low-fat content, which creates the desired melting and stretchiness. While mozzarella is the most popular choice, there are many other options, including cheddar, parmesan, provolone, fontina, gouda, jack, muenster, and ricotta.
For example, you could add ricotta to a pizza with mozzarella, which is known for its perfect meltability and mild, creamy flavour. It creates that iconic stretchy, gooey layer that pizza lovers crave. Fresh mozzarella, with its soft texture and milky taste, adds a touch of elegance, while the low-moisture version is great for achieving that golden-brown bubbly finish.
Alternatively, you could pair ricotta with cheddar, which also has good meltability. This would create a pizza with a strong, sharp flavour. You could also add other toppings to complement the ricotta, such as spinach, tomatoes, or basil.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella is the most popular choice for pizza, but there are many other options, including cheddar, parmesan, provolone, ricotta, and gouda.
Mozzarella is known for its perfect meltability and mild, creamy flavour. It creates that iconic stretchy, gooey layer that pizza lovers crave.
Other cheeses with good meltability include cheddar, fontina, gouda, jack, muenster, and provolone.
Yes, fresh mozzarella has a soft texture and milky taste, adding a touch of elegance to your pizza. However, if you're looking for that golden-brown bubbly finish, low-moisture mozzarella is the way to go.
Ricotta is a fresh cheese with a light, fluffy texture and a slightly sweet taste. It doesn't melt like traditional pizza cheeses but adds creamy dollops of deliciousness to your pie. Its mild flavour complements stronger cheeses and savoury toppings, making it a versatile addition to many pizza recipes.
