What Cheese Goes On Pizza? – Our Top Choices
All of you would agree that a pizza is not complete without this essential ingredient—the cheese to all pizza lovers out there. As most of everyone says, a pizza is not pizza unless it is laden with cheese. Cheese makes the pizza creamier and more delicious to eat. With few exceptions, cheesy pizza is indeed loved by most of us as it is a delectable and wholesome snack loved across the world. So, are you wondering what cheese goes on pizza? Do not worry because this article will help you decide what kind of cheese would you top your pizza with and some hacks on how you should pick your desired type of cheese.
Mozzarella on Pizza
The first and well-known answer to the question of what cheese goes in pizza is mozzarella. It is a type of cheese famous for being topped on pizza because of its consistency, stretchability, and taste. While other people only consider the taste when choosing what choose to be used on pizza, it is also important to consider its consistency and stretchability. Mozzarella cheese is minimally processed, so it provides a delicious taste and creamier texture. Be guided with the following tips below on how to use mozzarella on pizza:
- If you plan to cook a Margherita pizza, Neapolitan, or Greek pizza, you can use the mozzarella as the base cheese by itself.
- If you plan to cook a Margherita pizza, Neapolitan, or Greek pizza, you can use the mozzarella as the base cheese by itself.
- Since mozzarella is well-known for its versatility, you can blend it with other types of cheese, such as provolone, to make a traditional cheese or pepperoni pizza, and many other kinds.
High Moisture Mozzarella vs. Low Moisture Mozzarella
If you decided to choose mozzarella on your pizza, you could choose between low and high moisture. The main difference between the two is that high moisture mozzarella's shelf life is very short, as it has to be used within the first day of being made. In contrast, low moisture mozzarella's shelf life is much longer as it has a saltier and more dense flavor than high moisture mozzarella. The low moisture mozzarella is also advisable to be used when you would bake the pizza because it melts faster.
Stretchability of Mozzarella
Are you curious why mozzarella is famous for its stringy and stretchy quality? Pasta filata is a unique cooking and stretching process that mozzarella undergoes to achieve its desired stretchability. The mozzarella's minimum standard for stretch testing is 40 cm.
Meltability of Mozzarella
While most of us agree that mozzarella is the best option for what cheese goes on pizza, this type of cheese is also easy to melt aside from its stretchability. Because of its reliability properties, mozzarella plays an important role in serving as a glue to keep the toppings stay on their place on the pizza. Since most of us are easily attracted to a delectable-looking pizza, using mozzarella is the best option because it melts well and easily helps achieve that visual appeal with golden blistering, minimal free oil, and good coverage.
Taste of Mozzarella
The taste of the cheese is what we prioritize on answering what cheese goes on pizza, and mozzarella fits well in this criterion. Several researchers say that most people prefer cheese on pizza with mild and milkier taste because it complements other ingredients such as the base sauce, pizza toppings, or other blended cheeses. As mentioned above, mozzarella has a light yet creamier taste that makes it perfect to be sprinkled on the pizza's top or base.
Provolone Cheese on Pizza
Provolone cheese, a semi-hard Italian cheese, is another answer to what cheese goes on pizza. It is the second most popular cheese to blend with other cheese. Its flavor differs depending on how long it has been aged. To achieve a sweeter flavor and creamier texture to your pizza, go for a provolone cheese that has been aged for a shorter period. However, if you want to achieve a sharper taste and dryer texture, go for the provolone cheese that has been aged for a longer period. You can also use provolone cheese as the base cheese for your Italian tomato, chicken pesto, or tomato basil pizza.
Cheddar Cheese on Pizza
Cheddar cheese is famous for its sharp taste. Since many people do not prefer to use cheddar cheese alone on their pizza, you can still blend this with other types of cheese as it will taste best. Cheddar is a better option for any pie because it has less elasticity that will not blister easily, unlike the mozzarella. It is also advisable to use a cheddar cheese with a deep orange tint to provide more color to your pizza.
Parmesan Cheese on Pizza
Parmesan is a hard cheese that can be shaved or shredded on top of your pizza. Due to its delicate flavor and dryness, it is not advisable to blend it with other kinds of cheese and bake it in your oven. You can instead use Parmesan as a garnish on your pizza to add more flavor to it. If you are planning to cook Sicilian, Margherita, or Hawaiian pizzas, Parmesan is the best choice for you as it will help accentuate the flavor of your sauce and toppings. Know more about cheese on pizza.
Conclusion
This article helped you answer what cheese goes on pizza by giving options among mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, and parmesan cheese. Since every type of cheese offers a distinct and delicious taste, it is now up to you on what cheese would you prefer depending on your preferences and needs. It is important to note how these types of cheese vary from each other to come up with the best decision and meet your expectations of their taste and visual appeal on your pizza.
