At Pizzaiolo, we believe that exceptional pizza begins with exceptional ingredients. While technique and skill are vital, they can only take you so far if you're working with subpar components. That's why we're meticulous about sourcing only the finest, freshest ingredients for our pizzas.
The Italian Philosophy
The Italian approach to cooking has always centered around one fundamental principle: let the quality of the ingredients shine. This is especially true for pizza, where each component plays a crucial role in the final result. In Italy, many of the best pizzerias are known not just for their technique, but for their dedication to finding the perfect tomatoes, the most flavorful olive oil, or the richest mozzarella.
We follow this same philosophy at Pizzaiolo. Each ingredient is selected not just for its quality, but for how it contributes to the harmonious whole of our pizzas.
Tomatoes: The Heart of the Sauce
The base of any great pizza sauce begins with exceptional tomatoes. We use only San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius in Italy. These tomatoes are prized for their sweet flavor, low acidity, and minimal seeds. The unique growing conditions in this region, with its volcanic soil rich in minerals, produce tomatoes with an incredible depth of flavor that can't be replicated elsewhere.
We import these tomatoes directly from trusted producers in Italy who harvest them at peak ripeness. While this is more expensive than using conventional tomatoes, the difference in flavor is immediately noticeable. Our sauce requires minimal ingredients because the tomatoes themselves bring such wonderful flavor.
Cheese: The Soul of Pizza
For our classic Margherita, we use only fresh, locally-made fior di latte mozzarella. This cow's milk mozzarella has the perfect balance of creaminess, meltability, and flavor. We source it from a small dairy that produces their cheese in small batches using traditional methods.
For our specialty pizzas, we carefully select other cheeses based on their specific qualities. Whether it's the sharpness of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, the creaminess of ricotta, or the tangy bite of gorgonzola, each cheese is chosen to complement the other ingredients on the pizza.
Olive Oil: Liquid Gold
We use only extra virgin olive oil, cold-pressed from Italian olives. The oil we select has a fruity, slightly peppery flavor that enhances every pizza it touches. We drizzle it not just in our dough, but also as a finishing touch on many of our pizzas just before serving. This final touch of high-quality olive oil adds a wonderful aroma and depth of flavor.
Fresh Herbs and Produce
The basil that adorns our Margherita pizza isn't an afterthought – it's a key component that brings freshness and aroma. We grow our own basil to ensure it's always at its peak freshness when added to our pizzas. The same care goes into selecting all our produce, from the wild mushrooms on our Funghi pizza to the peppers on our Diavola.
We work closely with local farmers to source seasonal vegetables at their peak, ensuring maximum flavor and supporting our local agricultural community. When ingredients aren't in season locally, we source the best imports available rather than compromising on quality.
Meats: Quality and Tradition
For our meat toppings, we prioritize both quality and authenticity. Our pepperoni is specially made for us by a local artisan butcher using traditional methods and high-quality pork. Our prosciutto is imported directly from Italy, where it's been aged for the perfect amount of time to develop its complex flavor and silky texture.
We believe in knowing where our ingredients come from, which is why we've developed relationships with producers who share our commitment to quality and ethical practices.
Flour: The Foundation
As we discussed in our previous blog post about pizza dough, the type of flour we use is fundamental to creating the perfect crust. We import Italian "00" flour, which is finely ground and specifically designed for pizza making. This high-quality flour, combined with our long fermentation process, creates a dough with exceptional flavor and texture.
The Importance of Freshness
Even the best ingredients won't shine if they're not fresh. That's why we maintain tight inventory controls and receive deliveries multiple times per week to ensure everything we use is at its peak. We'd rather run out of an ingredient temporarily than serve something that doesn't meet our standards.
Our commitment to freshness extends to how we prepare ingredients as well. Herbs are torn just before use, garlic is freshly minced, and vegetables are sliced to order whenever possible.
Conclusion
At Pizzaiolo, we believe that the extra effort and cost involved in sourcing the best ingredients is worth it. When you take that first bite of our pizza, we want you to taste the difference that quality makes. From the tangy sweetness of the tomato sauce to the creamy mozzarella, the aromatic basil, and the perfectly chewy yet crisp crust – every element should be in perfect harmony.
We invite you to experience the difference that exceptional ingredients make in our pizzas. Whether you're a longtime customer or trying us for the first time, we think you'll appreciate our unwavering commitment to quality in every bite.