Neapolitan pizza is a model of Italian pizza, which has been known for years and has been popular. It originates, of course, from Naples, from the Campania region. Authentic Neapolitan pizza is considered the queen of all pizzas and, despite its minimalism, many people like it the most among the variants of this dish. They would not have been created if it were not for the traditional Margherita pizza. It is worth learning a little more about the history and characteristics of this pie.
Pizza unlike any other?
Pizzerias in Larnaca often offer guests pizzas with many ingredients, wanting to surprise them with more and more unobvious flavors. Of course, many people may like this option, but often the strength lies in simplicity. The best pizza in Larnaca – Margherita – proves it. There are two theories about its origin. The first says that its name comes from the name of Queen Margherita, who in 1889 visited the Brandi pizzeria in Naples. Pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito created a dish for her that had the colors of the Italian flag. Tomato was responsible for red, mozzarella for white, and basil for green. Pizza appealed not only to the Queen, but soon to the rest of the world. With the passage of time, other variants of this dish began to appear in different regions, but based on the original recipe. It is also said that Margherita pizza had its origins nearly 40 years earlier. The locals were supposed to bake a dish with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. The cheese was cut into thin strips and then arranged in the pattern of a flower.
This pattern was to be associated with the daisy, which in Italy is called “Margherita”. Regardless of when exactly this pizza was created, it is mainly distinguished by its simplicity and minimal ingredients, and its popularity has survived to this day. The taste is not poor at all – it is a perfect composition of crunchiness of the dough, sweet and sour aroma of tomatoes and slightly fatty mozzarella. Basil, on the other hand, adds expressiveness. Margherita pizza is filling, but it is considered healthier than many other types of this dish, and it can also provide valuable nutrients. If you want to order Neapolitan pizza with delivery, take advantage of our offer.
Ingredients and preparation
In the original Italian recipe, type 00 flour (possibly with an admixture of type 0 flour), yeast, water, salt and olive oil are used to make Margherita. To prepare the dough, knead it by hand or with a slow mixer. When it grows, it is made with hands, not a rolling pin. Of course, before forming, the cake should “rest” for a sufficiently long time. Original toppings include San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala (or mozzarella fior di latte made from cow’s milk), fresh basil leaves, and possibly some grated grana padano cheese or Parmesan cheese on top. The best variety of Margherita is Margherita DOP with the addition of mozzarella di bufala Campana DOP and San Marzano DOP tomatoes from the Campania region.
Authentic Neapolitan pizza smells of fresh bread when you take it out of the oven, while tomatoes and mozzarella add a slightly acidic smell. It is worth remembering that the ingredients are strictly defined in the case of the classic pizza of Marinara and Margherita. In other variants of the dish, there is more freedom, but they should meet the regulations of the Association of True Neapolitan Pizza and the rules of Italian gastronomy. The best pizza in Larnaca is on the menu of our Pizza 485 restaurant.
Worth the sin…?
Whether a person likes Margherita pizza is, of course, a matter of individual taste. Lovers of simplicity and traditional solutions will certainly be delighted with it, people who are on a diet and want to deviate from their menu do not have to give it up. Margherita will be lower in calories than other popular variants of this dish with more ingredients and a thicker dough. There are about 220-230 kcal in 100 grams. On average, a cake with a diameter of 32 cm prepared in this way can have 900-1000 kcal. It is worth remembering that mozzarella cheese is a treasury of calcium – it contains on average 5 times more than classic cottage cheese. Basil, on the other hand, supports the immune system, cleansing the kidneys, heart muscle and can soothe nerves. Therefore, it is worth paying attention not only to the number of calories in the dish, but also to its valuable effect on the body. Neapolitan pizza does not have to be associated with an unhealthy snack that should be absolutely avoided. If you feel like it, order Neapolitan pizza delivered from our restaurant!
Everyone has heard of Margherita pizza. It gave rise to other, later widespread variants of this dish, and is often the first version of the popular pie that children try. It is worth remembering that it must be prepared in a specific way, using the right ingredients. Practically all pizzerias in Larnaca have Margherita on their menu – we encourage you to try the one from our restaurant!