Finding An Authentic Neapolitan Pizza

By Marissa Velazquez


Authenticity is something people care a lot about. This is definitely the case when it comes to food. However it is not just about the type of food but also how it is prepared and the method of cooking. All of these elements are important when you want to find or make an authentic Neapolitan pizza.

The term Neapolitan refers to something that is produced in Napoli, an area referred to in English as Naples. As well as pizza it also refers to ice cream and other items produced in the local area. The area is in the South of Italy, an area that is famous for its people who fiercely protect the authenticity of their recipes.

Given its ubiquity around the world now it seems strange to think that originally this was thought of as a street food for poorer people. It was not until the nineteenth century that restaurants began serving it for people to enjoy while dining indoors. Now they are so common that people will often put Bella Napoli on their restaurants in order to indicate that they serve the best quality Neapolitan cuisine.

However this is not necessarily a guarantee. There are certain elements that make sure you not only get an authentic pizza but also the best possible quality. On the basic level this involves avoiding any form of artificial yeast or ingredients that are not fresh or sourced from the local area. People who cook in this style also tend to avoid using machinery and usually the pizza will be made by hand.

One of the crucial differences is not just the ingredients but how the pizza is made. You may have seen chefs flinging dough to make it flat. While this looks very impressive and is often a spectacle in and of itself this does serve a practical purpose. This makes the whole surface properly flat and best suited as a surface for the toppings. The dough tends to be rested a couple of days before you make the pizzas in order to get the best quality.

One of the big differences is in how it is made. Instead of using a machine people knead the dough by hand. The flipping, rolling and throwing of dough in the air looks spectacular but it is not a trick or something to amuse tourists but a way of ensuring that the dough is properly flattened. The thickness of the dough needs to be exact or a pizzeria is in serious danger of losing its official trademark.

Another crucial element is a wood oven. These can cook the dough to very high temperatures that would not be possible in a conventional oven. It is this traditional style of cooking that ensures it is piping hot while at the same time ensuring the best possible flavour. Therefore it is possible to get this level of authenticity if you are prepared to invest in the right oven and ingredients as well as cooking it to the exact European Union specifications.

Finally the best way to ensure you get an authentic Neapolitan pizza is to look for an official trademark. The European Union has very strict rules regarding the amount of toppings and the thickness. It is worth looking online to learn more so you can have the best opportunity to find the real dish. It is also worth asking online to see which pizzerias are the best in the Napoli area. Furthermore you can also find out who in your local area serves the closest and most authentic Italian cuisine as well.




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