Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Every February 9th, foodies around the world celebrate National Pizza Day, a time to appreciate this universally beloved dish.
Pizza, originally from Italy, has evolved into a variety of exciting variations in the United States, each with its own unique characteristics.
Advertisement
This celebration is the perfect opportunity to delve into the rich flavors and shapes of pizza, a dish that has become an integral part of global culinary culture.
To celebrate National Pizza Day, let's explore five of the best American-style pizza variations you should know about and, perhaps, try.
New York-Style Pizza: A Foldable Classic
New York-style pizza first appeared in New York City in the early 1900s, brought by Italian immigrants who adapted the classic Neapolitan pizza.
This style of pizza is known for its large, wide, and thin crust.
The crust is thick and crispy on the edges, but soft, thin, and quite pliable on the bottom, making it easy to fold when eating.
The wide, foldable slices make it perfect for enjoying while strolling around the city, making it an icon of New York street food.
Traditional toppings are very simple, usually just tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza: A Thick, Pie-Like Sensation
Chicago Deep Dish pizza, also known as deep dish pizza, has a slightly different shape than most pizzas, being more similar to a pie.
This pizza was first introduced in 1943 by two Italian-Americans, Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, who opened their first restaurant, Pizzeria Uno, in Chicago.
A round pan about 12 inches in diameter with a 2-inch rim is lined with dough, creating a space for the generous filling.
Another unique feature is the order in which the toppings are arranged: the cheese is placed directly on top of the dough, which is then filled with various ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce on top.
The baking process is done at a low temperature and takes a longer time, about 35 to 45 minutes, to ensure all the layers are thoroughly cooked.
California-Style Pizza: Fresh Topping Innovations
California-style pizza, or California pizza, is a blend of New York-style and Italian-style thin crust with toppings inspired by California cuisine.
Its distinctive feature is a thin, crispy crust, usually made from a combination of wheat flour and a small amount of cornmeal.
What truly sets California-style pizza apart is the variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients used as toppings.
This style of pizza often incorporates unconventional flavors, such as barbecue chicken, Thai-inspired ingredients, or even smoked salmon.
Detroit-Style Pizza: Rectangular with Caramelized Cheese Crust
Detroit-style pizza is a rectangular pizza built with cheese directly on the dough, followed by sauce. The crust is thick and soft in the center, but crispy on the bottom.
The cheese is spread all the way to the edge of the pan, where it cooks and caramelizes, creating a crispy, crunchy crust.
This effect, often referred to as "frico," gives each bite a distinctive texture and flavor.
This style was first introduced in the mid-1940s by Gus Guerra at Buddy's Rendezvous.
St. Louis-Style Pizza: Thin, Cracker-Like Crust and Provel Cheese
St. Louis-style pizza is characterized by a very thin, cracker-like crust, made without yeast.
The key element of this pizza is Provel cheese, a processed cheese blend of Cheddar, Swiss, and Provolone.
Often, Provel cheese is also flavored with liquid smoke, giving it a unique flavor profile.
This cheese melts perfectly and provides a chewy texture unlike traditional mozzarella.
Unlike other pizza styles that are cut into triangles, St. Louis pizza is typically cut into small, three- or four-inch squares.