The term pizza covers a lot of territory. If you want to learn all
about pizzas, then you should have a bit of a background on pizzas:
specifically the history of pizza, pizza origin, pizza facts, and even
pizza trivia such as who invented pizza. The subject also delves into
the different types and styles of pizzas. The varieties currently
existing defy any attempts at enumeration. Thus, most people who
attempt such a task stop at a broad categorization of pizza types
according to certain attributes such as crust thickness, crust
elasticity, crust baking and cooking procedures, toppings, etc. Aside
from general, historical or trivial information, other things are of
interest to the pizza lovers. For instance, homemade pizza enthusiasts
would like to know certain tips and tricks for making pizza. This
includes pizza making techniques, the best pizza crust recipes, pizza
toppings, homemade pizza sauce, etc. Some other interesting topics will
be frozen pizza dough and where best to attain them, what are the
criteria for choosing the, what are the methods for preparing them,
etc.

It must be obvious that this article is a mite ambitious for
wishing to tackle something entitled "all about pizza." However, an
attempt is definitely warranted, so here goes.

Some pizza facts and trivia

Accounts of pizza history always begin with the origin of pizza.
This one might as well follow the same tack. We have to thank any
civilization or race that baked flat bread on hot stones or stone ovens
for pizza, for almost certainly, bread like the focaccia was the
"mother of the pizza crust." However, the invention of the pizza is
more properly attributed to the Neapolitans - the people of Naples,
Italy who were baking and making pizza crust topped with tomatoes, oil,
and Italian herbs, and spices. This rudimentary and traditional Italian
pizza was common peasant fare in Naples. If you want an individual
originator and inventor of pizzas, however, then you won't be wrong if
you cite Rafaelle Esposito - a native of Naples; he modified the basic
Neapolitan pizza recipe and came up with three variants that added
mozzarella cheese to the rudimentary Italian pizza toppings.

Now, if you are looking for some topics for small conversation,
then you must remember the following trivia. One note of caution,
though; you shouldn't blurt these out just to anybody or you'll sound
decidedly corny and geeky. Make sure you're talking to someone
interested in pizzas before you use the following trivia as
conversational gambits.

" Most people in the United States love pepperoni; the least liked toppings are anchovies.

" Pizza was called (and is still called) tomato pie and pizza pie in certain parts of the States.

" The first pizzeria in the United States was opened in New York.

" The pizza industry is worth more than 30 billion dollars in the
United States alone and Americans consume around three billion units of
pizza every year.

" New York pizza is traditionally plain. Supposedly, New York pizza
is unique because of the acidity and hardness of the water in New York.
New Yorkers therefore claim that only in New York can you make real New
York Pizza.

(New Yorkers must admit, however, that if water is the unique
characteristic of New York pizzas, one who uses water adjusted for
hardness and acidity to reflect New York water conditions, adds all the
usual New York pizza ingredients and toppings, follows all the
procedures strictly but makes the pizza in New Jersey can conceivably
make an authentic, New York style pizza. But such an assertion, some
would say, is just plain cheek.)

Pizza types and pizza styles

The first step to a great homemade pizza is determining what type
of pizza you wish to make. After all, different types of pizza have
different attributes and thus call for different types of pizza base,
pizza toppings and cooking techniques. Would you like to make an
authentic Italian pizza, a New York style pizza, a California style
pizza, or a Chicago style pizza?

Italian pizza is generally lean, although when you add cheese, its
fat level generally rises in proportion. There are various kinds of
Italian pizza, too. There are Neapolitan pizzas, of which there are two
general types: the marinara and the Margherita. There are various
combinations of these as well. Authentic Italian pizza, moreover, is
supposedly baked on wood-fired or even coal-fired, stone ovens.

New York pizza, as abovementioned, is generally plain. The mainstay
of New York pizza is mozzarella cheese - fresh mozzarella cheese to be
precise. One can add garlic, different types of cheeses, anchovies,
shrimp, etc but these are usually optional. The pizza dough recipe for
traditional New York pizza, on the other hand, calls for high-gluten
flour. The result is firm, usually thin, chewy pizza.

The California style pizza is generally known for gourmet flavors.
You can say the California pizza has countless variations. The pizza
crust, in this case, is light, crisp and generally well risen. The
toppings can be out of this world - generally California pizza makers
experiment a lot with all kinds of meat, sea food, breakfast dishes,
and vegetable for the toppings.

The Chicago style pizza, on the other hand, is generally crusty and
very filling. They are characterized by their raised edges; imagine a
pre-baked apple pie crust where you can place the fillings on top.
Chicago pizza is usually meaty (some variants come stuffed with cheeses
and meat layers) and it is eaten with a knife and fork.

You can also start by deciding on the flavor you want. Do you want
to make a cheese pizza, a vegetarian pizza or a fruit pizza? Perhaps
you want to make a low fat pizza, a low carb pizza, a healthy pizza?
Sourdough pizza is also another variant.

Take your pick among your many options. Once you have decided,
choosing the recipe would be much easier. If you have decided on an
Italian pizza, for instance, then find your Italian pizza crust recipe,
your Italian pizza sauce recipe and the overall Italian pizza recipe
that will give you a list of toppings and pizza preparation procedures
for making an authentic Italian pizza. For an easier time of it, you
can opt to use Italian-style frozen pizza dough then just follow the
Italian pizza recipe that you've found.

Some pizza making tips and techniques

Hand tossing will help you minimize the lumps in your pizza dough.
However, this should be done only after sufficient pizza dough
kneading. This process lets your pizza dough develop into the right
kind of consistency - that which is suitable for stretching and hand
tossing. Hand tossing, however, is not advisable for thick pizza crust
varieties.

If you want a crisp and firm pizza that retains its structure even
when the moist toppings are added, you can bake the pizza crust before
you add the toppings and the pizza sauce. However, for thin pizza
crusts, baking the crust after the toppings and sauce have been added
is sufficient. For uniform baking and crisping of the crust, use a
pizza stone or a pizza screen.

Finally, remember that the protein content of your flour will
influence the end product. High-gluten flour will lead to a crisp but
chewy crust. Gluten-free flour, however, may lead to very soft dough;
additives may have to be used to give the pizza dough strength.

Quick pizza crust recipes and easy homemade pizza recipes of all
kinds and style are easily available online. There are tips for baking
and preparing frozen pizza dough, making your own pizza dough,
preparing the ingredients for the best pizza crust recipe, etc. All you
need to start making your very own pizza recipe is an internet
connection, a good source of basic pizza recipe, great pizza equipment,
your imagination, and lots of time and resources for experimentation.