Not Like Other Pizzas: What Makes Neapolitan Pizza Different

Neapolitan-style pizza is a culinary masterpiece from Naples, Italy. Also known as pizza Napoletana, it has captivated taste buds and hearts around the world. But its global popularity isn't just a happy accident—it’s a testimony to its simplicity, balance, and the use of high-quality ingredients. 

Unlike other pizza options, this lighter style represents centuries of Italian culinary legacy—even earning the recognition of UNESCO as part of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2017. So, what is Neapolitan pizza and what makes it different?

It's a balance of tradition and technique. Let’s get into the “crust” of the matter and learn about its seven essential features.

The Top 7 Must-Have Features of Any Neapolitan Pizza

Each element in an authentic Neapolitan pizza is strictly traditional and executed to create a harmonious and unforgettable culinary experience.

1. The Right Dough

At the heart of any great pizza is the dough, and Neapolitan pizza dough is a star in its own right. 

It's made with specific ingredients: water, salt, yeast, and "00" flour—a finely milled Italian flour which creates a dough with a soft, chewy, yet slightly crispy crust. The dough is traditionally fermented for a long period, typically 24-48 hours, which allows for a distinct flavour and texture to develop. 

This slow fermentation process also makes the dough light and airy, giving the pizza crust its characteristic structure and delicious flavour. 

2. San Marzano Tomatoes

The sauce for an authentic Neapolitan pizza is just as specific as the dough. It's made from San Marzano tomatoes, which are grown in the volcanic soil around Mount Vesuvius. These tomatoes are prized for their sweetness and low acidity, which creates a perfectly balanced sauce. The tomatoes are simply seasoned with olive oil and salt, crushed, and spread evenly over the dough, ensuring the sauce's natural flavour shines through without overpowering the other ingredients.

3. Fresh Mozzarella

For a truly authentic experience, the cheese must be fresh mozzarella. Traditionally, this is made from buffalo or cow’s milk, and it's known for its creamy texture and mild flavour. The cheese is torn or sliced and carefully distributed over the pizza. As it bakes, it melts into a luscious, gooey layer that complements the tangy tomatoes and fragrant basil perfectly.

4. Fresh Basil Leaves

Fresh basil leaves are a key ingredient for both aromatic flavour and vibrant colour. Placed on the pizza before it goes into the oven, the fragrance of the basil intensifies in the intense heat, infusing a delightful herbal essence that permeates the entire pizza.

5. Olive Oil

A drizzle of top-quality extra virgin olive oil is the final touch that ties all the simple ingredients together. It enhances the overall flavour profile of the pizza and offers a luxurious finish. The quality of the oil is key, as it needs to be able to withstand the high cooking temperatures while still imparting its delicate essence.

6. Cooked in the Oven at the Right Temperature

This is perhaps the most famous distinction of a Neapolitan pizza. It's cooked in a scorching hot, wood-fired oven at extremely high temperatures, typically between 430-480°C (800-900°F). 

The heat allows the pizza to cook in an astonishingly short amount of time, at just 60 to 90 seconds. This ensures that, unlike flat bread that’s stiff, the crust remains perfectly crisp, soft, foldable, and slightly charred on the outside while keeping things tender and fluffy on the inside. 

The intense heat and a slight charring from the wood fire also impart a smoky flavour that enhances the simplicity of the ingredients.

7. A Thin Centre and Puffy Cornicione

The final unique feature is the pizza’s signature structure: a thin, soft centre surrounded by a raised, airy outer rim called the cornicione. The crust is slightly charred and delightfully chewy, yet it's light enough to fold for eating, and flavourful enough to savour on its own. This unique combination of textures is what makes Neapolitan pizza so special.

Discover the Uniqueness of Neapolitan Pizzas at Bespoke Bread

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get a “pizza” that action? Join Bespoke Bread’s pizza-making class in Singapore to experience what makes Neapolitan pizza different firsthand. 

Learn the importance of tradition, ingredients, and technique from passionate teachers. Then, discover how each element comes together to create a pizza unlike any other, all while having a “baking” good time! 

Whether you're a seasoned baker or a complete novice looking to improve your baking skills, our baking classes in Singapore will give you the skills and confidence to create your own delicious, authentic pizzas at home.