Pizza sometimes also called as pizza pie is disc shaped, flat and oven baked bread which is topped with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce & different other toppings based on the country and culture.

Pizza originated as part of the Neapolitan cuisine and now has become well known in most other countries in the world. The establishment where pizzas are made and sold is commonly called as pizzeria. Some other names which are used are like pizza place, pizza shop, pizza parlor and pizza house.

Types of Pizza

Some common pizza types in Italy are:

Pizza Napoletana: Genuine Neapolitan pizza is typically formed with mozzarella cheese & tomatoes. The ingredients used to make these pizzas include San Marzano tomatoes and Campania mozzarella.

Few other variants include pizza marinara made from garlic, tomato, olive oil and oregano; pizza margherita that is made from basil, olive oil and tomato; pizza margherita extra made from olive oil, basil, tomato & mozzarella in fillets from Campania.

Pizza – Lazio style: In Lazio & other regions of Italy, 2 different styles of pizzas are seen; one is pizza rustica and the other the more traditional one. Pizza rustica is made using a rectangular pan for baking in electric oven and the crust is like what we have in English Muffins.

In many pizzerias, pizza is prepared in the traditional round shape with crisp and thin base that is different from what is found in Neapolitan pizza. Ovens which are wood fired are used for cooking these pizzas and given pizzas there unique texture as well as flavor.

Some common pizza types in Australia are:

In Australia all the normal Italian varieties are found and in addition some Australian form of pizza also exists that has base of tomato sauce, egg, bacon and mozzarella cheese with prawns also used sometimes.

Then we have the gourmet pizza that has up-market ingredients like bocconcini, salmon, tiger prawns and dill. Another type of pizza is the wood fired one where ceramic ovens which are wood fuel heated are used.

Some common pizza types in Brazil are:

Both thick crust (Neapolitan) & thin crust (Roman) type of pizza is common here in Brazil with base of mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. In Brazil you will also find the base with banana, pineapple & chocolate toppings and served as dessert.

Interesting facts

We will now look at some interesting facts about pizzas:

1. Pizzerias count for 16% of all types of restaurants.
2. Pizza Hut has around 12,620 stores in ninety countries.
3. When it comes to pizza delivery, Domino’s is the world leader.
4. 35% people prefer pizzas for breakfast.
5. More than five billion pizzas are sold every year across the world.
6. Pepperoni is the most preferred topping for all pizzas.

Pizza Toppings

The kind of pizza toppings that can be used is only restricted by the imagination power of the chef. The toppings are generally put on the pizza in one particular order. This order is not followed just because it looks tidy but also due to the fact that the sauce keeps the dough moist. The cheese forms the bed for the toppings and ensures that the toppings do not fall off. This is the general order for the toppings; the pizza dough, after that pizza sauce is added, then cheese is put, next comes the toppings, then again cheese and lastly the garnish.

Pizza is becoming the most liked and preferred choice for people all over the world and with different topping options and varieties available pizzas surely have a great future ahead.