Pizza is one of the world’s most popular meals available today. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone that genuinely dislikes this food. This is because pizza is so versatile. You can top it up with just about any ingredients you like to create a pizza that meets your preferences. However, the toppings on a pizza aren’t the only thing that varies. If you’ve ever had to order a pizza, you’ve probably come across pizzas not just in different sizes but also in different styles. Below, we take a closer look at the New York-style pizza vs regular pizza.
New York Style Pizza Vs Regular Pizza
So what makes New York-style pizza different? Is the New York-style pizza really the best pizza in Seattle? These are arguments that are had almost on a daily basis by pizza lovers. So let’s dive into the different pizza types and what differentiates New York-style pizza from regular pizza.
The crust
This is probably the biggest difference between the two styles. Traditional pizza, also often referred to as Neapolitan pizza, features a large pillow-like crust. The crust is chewy and even throughout. The fire-baked pizza crust features dark charred spots and has a remarkable flavor. The flavor is largely a result of the highly refined wheat flour used to make the dough.
New-York style pies are often easily distinguishable because of their extra-large and thin crust. The crust isn’t as chewy as that in the traditional pie. Because the base isn’t as complex as that of traditional pizzas, it is the perfect backdrop for loading up on layers of toppings and cheese.
How it is eaten
It is fair to say that people have different styles of eating pizza. However, how different pizza styles are enjoyed can distinguish them from each other. The traditional pie was intended to be eaten as a single serving with a fork and knife. It was a meal that people sat down to enjoy.
However, the New York-style pie is different. It was designed to provide a quick and affordable meal to the New York City working class at the time. These people neither had the time or money to enjoy an entire pie.
New York-style crusts are much larger than traditional-style pies. They are designed to be shared. An individual can enjoy a single slice while on the go. The thin crust can be folded to create a sandwich that can be enjoyed without creating a mess. They are the perfect meal for when you’re on the go or for enjoying with family.
The size
As mentioned earlier, the New York-style pizza crust is large. It is in fact significantly larger than the traditional pie. Traditional pies were made to be a single serving for an individual. The average traditional pie measures around 12 inches in diameter.
New York pies were designed to be affordable. Sharing the pizza made it possible for those with limited funds to purchase a slice and enjoy pizza. These pies typically measure about 18 inches.
The cheese
While toppings vary based on the individual’s preferences, there are specific ways these toppings are used on the pie. Traditional styles often feature gobs of mozzarella cheese dotted here and there. Fresh mozzarella is often used. This is a stark contrast to New York styles which feature shredded low-moisture mozzarella.
Fresh mozzarella is often not used on New York-style pizza because these pizzas are cooked for longer than traditional styles. The shredded cheese is also often spread liberally on the pie. This results in that cheesy pie that many people love. However, because the cheese was low in moisture, the pie did not come out soggy. It is still firm and can be folded to minimize messes while consuming it.
The sauce
Another major difference between the styles is the sauces used on the crust. The traditional pie continues to uphold the traditional pizza sauce. This features tomatoes and salt only. The minimal sauce functions as a base on which the flavors of the toppings and the crust can come to life.
The sauces used for New York-style pies on the other hand are distinct for their flavor. They feature chopped garlic, sugar and may also include herbs such as oregano. Some chefs add their own twist to their sauce with other ingredients including red pepper flakes.
Still can’t decide whether the traditional or New York-style pie is better? You should visit Big Mario’s Pizza or order delivery for the best pizza in Seattle. Get a taste of the traditional pie just as it was made in Italy as well as the classic New York Style pizza and make your own decision. You’re sure to keep coming back for more.