The Law on Neapolitan Thin Pizza Crust
Did you ever think that Neapolitan pizza was something simple that you could just whip together? Well, while some might not think much of the sliced tomatoes and chunks of mozzarella cheese that are placed on top of thin pizza crust before being baked. But while many of us might not give much thought to this kind of pizza pie, Italy’s Parliament gives it very serious consideration.
Many people know that the authentic Neapolitan pizza is protected by European legislation, meaning that the ingredients used in any Neapolitan must be the same as those outlined within that legislation. It was in 2009 that Italy’s Parliament approved the bill, and the ingredients might be more than what you’ll find in your supermarket.
Tomatoes, cheese, basil, and sauce – these are the pizza garnishes many know belong on a Neapolitan. But it’s not just any tomatoes, or any cheese. The tomatoes must be San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the volcanic region south of Mount Vesuvius. And the cheese must be that obtained from the milk of water buffalo that live in the regions of Campania and Lazio. Without these specific ingredients, no pizza – no matter what other toppings are on it – is considered a Neapolitan.
If you serve Neapolitan pizzas in your restaurant, make sure that you use Italian pizza dough, and that you special order the other toppings (which can be done.) Otherwise, name your pizza something else, giving nod to the Neapolitan without replacing it.