Andy Montoya
There are many opinions on the correct order of toppings when making a pizza. The order of toppings is critical to avoid undercooked or mushy ingredients, which would detract from the flavour, appearance, and texture of the pizza. In general, the sauce should go on first, then the cheese, and then the toppings. This way, the cheese and toppings receive direct heat, allowing the toppings to cook thoroughly while remaining crispy, and the cheese to melt, brown, and bubble. However, there are certain parts of the world that shift this order around. For example, some people prefer to put toppings under the cheese to avoid them drying out, and some people prefer to put cheese on first to protect the crust from getting gummy.
When making a pizza, should cheese or veggies come first?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese first | Allows cheese to adhere to the crust, giving it a deeper flavor; protects the crust from getting gummy; cheese melts right onto the crust; less cheese is wasted; cheese acts as a base |
| Veggies/toppings first | Avoids sogginess; toppings cook and crisp up; toppings are visible; pizza looks and tastes better; toppings receive direct heat |
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What You'll Learn
- The order of toppings is critical to avoid sogginess and undercooked ingredients
- Placing veggies before cheese can make them underdone and watery
- Cheese first can protect the crust from getting gummy
- Placing veggies on top allows them to cook and crisp up as they should
- The right order can vary by country and personal preference
The order of toppings is critical to avoid sogginess and undercooked ingredients
However, the right answer can vary by region and personal preference. For instance, the "upside-down" slice, common in many pizza places in NYC, involves adding cheese first, then sauce. This style of pizza is loved by many New Yorkers, although it is not as common as the standard style. Additionally, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza involves adding all the cheese and toppings before the sauce.
If you want to avoid sogginess, it is recommended to pre-cook your toppings to remove excess moisture. It is also important to use the right type of cheese. For example, whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella tends to spread and melt more evenly. Moreover, you should shred your own cheese, as pre-packaged shredded cheese tends to brown too early in the cooking process.
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Placing veggies before cheese can make them underdone and watery
The order of toppings is critical when making a pizza. Placing veggies or other toppings under the cheese layer can result in soggy, underdone, and watery pizza. This happens because the heat of the oven causes water vapour to be released from the toppings. When veggies are placed under the cheese, the vapour gets trapped, creating a steam bath for the toppings. This results in mushy ingredients and a soggy pizza base.
To avoid this, it is recommended to place toppings over the cheese. This allows the toppings to cook evenly and completely, and it also prevents the cheese from sliding off the pizza when you take a bite. Placing toppings over the cheese also allows you to see the colours, shapes, and textures of your ingredients, making your pizza more visually appealing.
Additionally, placing veggies or other toppings under the cheese can prevent them from searing under the heat. This is especially true for ingredients like mushrooms, which tend to become underdone, soggy, and watery when placed under the cheese. Pre-cooking toppings can help remove excess moisture and keep them dry, but it is still recommended to place them over the cheese to avoid sogginess.
While the standard way of making pizza involves placing sauce, then cheese, and finally, other toppings, there are regional variations. For example, the \"upside-down\" slice, common in many pizza places in NYC, involves placing cheese first and then sauce. Ultimately, the decision of whether to place cheese or veggies first on a pizza may come down to personal preference and the desired taste and texture.
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Cheese first can protect the crust from getting gummy
The order of toppings on a pizza is critical to avoid undercooked or mushy ingredients, which would detract from the flavor, appearance, and texture of the pizza. One of the most hotly debated topics in pizza-making is whether to put cheese or veggies first. While there is no definitive answer, as it ultimately comes down to personal preference, there are some compelling reasons to consider putting cheese first when making a pizza to protect the crust from getting gummy.
Cheese first can help protect the crust from getting gummy or soggy. This is because the cheese melts directly onto the crust, creating a barrier between the sauce and the crust. This can help to prevent the crust from becoming soggy due to the wet sauce. This method is particularly effective for thin and crispy pizza styles, as it provides a layer of protection for the delicate crust.
Additionally, starting with cheese makes sense from a historical perspective. Pizza originated as a peasant food, and due to the high cost of cheese, it was initially used more sparingly as a garnish. As cheese became more affordable, the proportions increased, and we arrived at the typical "New York-style" pizza with sauce first. However, the traditional method of using cheese as a garnish suggests that it was likely added after the sauce and other toppings.
Furthermore, putting cheese first can enhance the flavor and appearance of the pizza. When cheese is above the sauce, the heat melts and toasts it, creating a crispier texture and a more robust flavor. With toppings placed over the cheese, they cook evenly and completely, and the colors, shapes, and textures of the ingredients are visible, making the pizza more visually appealing.
However, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks of putting cheese first. One issue is that the cheese may not adhere properly to the sauce, resulting in a messy pizza. Additionally, putting toppings under the cheese can trap moisture, leading to soggy ingredients and a watery pizza, especially if vegetables with high water content, such as mushrooms, are used.
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Placing veggies on top allows them to cook and crisp up as they should
The order of toppings is critical to avoid undercooked or mushy ingredients, which would detract from the flavor, appearance, and texture of your pizza. To avoid this and preserve the flavor and appeal of your ingredients, it’s best to get them in the right order.
Additionally, displaying the colors, shapes, and textures of your ingredients over the cheese makes your pizza not only taste better but look better. You can see what’s on the pizza!
If you want to avoid sogginess, it is best to place veggies on top of the cheese.
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The right order can vary by country and personal preference
The "right" order of toppings on a pizza can vary according to region and personal preference. The standard way of making a pizza, which is followed internationally, is to put the sauce on first, followed by cheese and then other toppings. This method works best for most cases as the cheese melts quickly when exposed to direct heat and the toppings cook evenly and completely. It is also the easiest way to prepare a pizza, as spreading sauce is easier on plain dough, and it is simpler to gauge how much cheese is needed.
However, some people prefer to put cheese before the sauce, which is known as an "upside-down" slice, and is a favourite style in New York City. This method allows the sauce to cook more, changing its flavour, and can make it thicker and sweeter. It also prevents the dough from becoming soggy from the wet sauce.
Some people also prefer to put toppings under the cheese, which is common in American-style pizza, and less so for Neapolitan-style. This method can work well for dry toppings like bacon, pepperoni or olives, but vegetables under the cheese can become soggy and watery.
There are also regional variations, such as the deep-dish Chicago style, where all the cheese and toppings are placed under the sauce. Ultimately, the order of toppings on a pizza can be adapted to suit personal taste and there are benefits to putting the toppings in different orders.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of pizza and your personal preference.
The standard way of making a pizza is to put the sauce first, followed by the cheese, and then the toppings. This method works best for most cases as the cheese melts quickly when it comes in direct contact with the heat of the oven.
Putting the sauce first is easier than spreading it over cheese and toppings, resulting in an even distribution of the sauce. It also prevents the dough from becoming soggy from the wet sauce.
Cheese is a great base as it protects the crust from getting gummy. It also means that the surface sauce is more susceptible to evaporation, so it tends to thicken and sweeten.
It is recommended to use whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella cheese as it tends to spread and melt more evenly.
