Where to Put Pizza Toppings: Over or Under the Cheese?

Pizza is one of the most beloved and popular foods worldwide. It is a versatile food that can be customized to suit individual tastes and preferences. The possibilities are endless, whether you are in the mood for a classic Margherita or a loaded meat lover's pizza. Another reason people love pizza is that it is relatively easy to make if you have the necessary ingredients because all it takes is creating the dough, adding pizza sauce, cheese, and your preferred toppings. Many particularly love the last one because they can add whatever they think is delicious.


There are generally two schools of thought when placing pizza toppings. Most pizzas have toppings placed on top of the cheese, while some have toppings placed under the cheese. The debate on where to put pizza toppings is a hotly contested topic among pizza enthusiasts. Traditionally, pizza toppings are placed on the cheese, allowing them to cook and caramelize in the oven. This method works well for most pizzas, allowing the cheese to melt and as glue to hold the toppings. However, some prefer to put the toppings under the cheese for preferential reasons. Because of this, there has been debate about whether this is right or wrong.


Putting Cheese before the Toppings


The most common method of adding toppings to a pizza is to put the cheese down first and then add the toppings on top. This method works well for most pizzas, allowing the cheese to melt and hold them in place.


Certain toppings, such as meats, are ideal to be placed on top because the heat will increase their flavour. The cheese will also help keep the meat from drying out during cooking. Moisture-rich vegetable toppings also benefit from being placed on top of the cheese because it acts as a barrier, preventing the moisture from soaking into the crust and making it soggy.


For example, pepperoni is a popular topping often placed over cheese. When cooked, the heat causes the pepperoni to release its oils and flavour, infusing into the cheese and crust. Onions are also often placed on top of the cheese because they have a high water content that can seep into the crust and make it soggy. By placing the onions on top of the cheese, the cheese acts as a barrier and prevents this from happening.


Putting Toppings before the Cheese


Putting toppings before the cheese may seem strange to some pizza purists, but it is not uncommon. This method is practical because certain ingredients are prone to burn when exposed to the oven's high heat. They are protected and cooked more evenly by placing them under the cheese.


Some ingredients may also dry out when exposed to oven heat. For example, if you are using thinly sliced vegetables, placing them under the cheese will help to keep them moist and prevent them from becoming too crispy. Mushrooms are also great candidates for being placed under the cheese because they tend to release moisture during cooking, and placing them on top can make the pizza soggy.


An excellent example is a veggie pizza with bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The bell peppers and onions can be placed on top of the sauce, followed by the mushrooms and cheese. This will allow the mushrooms to release their moisture and be protected from the heat while the bell peppers and onions cook and caramelize nicely on top.


Balancing Toppings Over and Under the Cheese


If you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, try balancing the toppings over and under the cheese. This method allows you to take advantage of the benefits of both ways. You can place moisture-rich toppings like vegetables and meats on top of the cheese while placing more delicate toppings like herbs and spices under the cheese.


The key to balancing toppings over and under the cheese is to balance the topping distribution. You don't want to overload one side of the pizza with toppings and leave the other bare. You also want to ensure that the toppings are evenly distributed so each bite has a good mix of flavours.


Another way to balance toppings over and under the cheese is to layer the toppings. For example, you can start with a layer of sauce, followed by cheese, then toppings, and another layer of cheese. This method ensures that the toppings are distributed evenly throughout the pizza and that each bite has a good balance of flavours.


Conclusion


Placing pizza toppings over or under the cheese is preferential, so anyone can do so depending on what they want to achieve. Even if certain ways of doing so may seem weird, the most important thing is that it tastes good, which is sure because you'll rarely find a pizza that doesn't taste good. This way, you can experiment with different topping combinations andplacementst until you find the perfect balance for your taste buds.

If you’re looking for a pizzeria in Coquitlam, La Ruota is for you! We offer selections ranging from classics like Hawaiian and pepperoni to flavourful choices such as Bulgogi and Parma Prosciutto for affordable prices. Fill up our form today to place an order!

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