Salvatore Pizza Blog

The Rich History of Neapolitan Pizza

Naples, Italy is the birthplace of what we now know as modern pizza. The story of Neapolitan pizza begins in the 18th century when tomatoes, brought from the Americas, were first used as a topping on flatbreads in Naples.

In the late 1800s, pizza gained popularity among the working class due to its affordability and convenience. Street vendors would sell slices to workers looking for a quick meal. The turning point for pizza's global recognition came in 1889 when Pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito created a pizza for Queen Margherita of Savoy featuring the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This pizza, known as the "Margherita," became an instant classic.

The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (True Neapolitan Pizza Association) was founded in 1984 to protect and promote authentic Neapolitan pizza. According to their guidelines, a true Neapolitan pizza must be made with specific ingredients and techniques, including:

• Dough made only with water, salt, yeast, and Italian 00 flour
• Hand-kneaded (no mechanical processing)
• Baked in a wood-fired dome oven at 485°C (905°F)
• Cooked for 60-90 seconds

In 2017, UNESCO recognized the art of Neapolitan pizza-making ("Pizzaiuolo") as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, acknowledging its cultural significance beyond just being food.

At Salvatore Pizza, we honor this rich tradition by adhering to these authentic techniques, bringing a taste of Naples to California with every pizza we make. Our chefs have been trained in the traditional Neapolitan methods, ensuring that each pizza we serve respects the centuries-old craft while adding our own unique California twist.

Secret Techniques for Perfect Pizza Dough

The foundation of any great pizza is its dough. At Salvatore Pizza, we've spent decades perfecting our recipe, and today we're sharing some of our secrets for creating the perfect pizza dough at home.

The key to exceptional pizza dough lies in understanding fermentation. While many recipes call for quick rises, the secret to developing complex flavors is time. Our dough undergoes a 72-hour cold fermentation process, which allows the yeast to work slowly, developing deeper flavors and a more digestible crust.

The Importance of Quality Ingredients

We use only Italian Tipo 00 flour, which has a fine texture and high protein content, perfect for creating that characteristic chewy-yet-crisp texture. The water temperature matters too – we maintain it at precisely 65°F (18°C) to ensure optimal yeast activation.

Kneading Technique

Contrary to popular belief, pizza dough doesn't require aggressive kneading. We use a gentle technique called "folding," which preserves the delicate air bubbles that form during fermentation. This results in a lighter, more airy crust with those coveted "leopard spots" after baking.

The Perfect Stretch

Never use a rolling pin! This compresses the dough and removes all those beautiful air pockets. Instead, use your fingertips to gently press the dough outward from the center, leaving a slightly thicker edge. Then, lift the dough onto your knuckles and allow gravity to help stretch it to the desired size.

Remember that great pizza dough is as much about feeling as it is about following a recipe. With practice, you'll develop an intuition for when the dough is just right – slightly tacky but not sticky, smooth and elastic, with a pleasant yeasty aroma.

Join us next month for our pizza-making workshop at Salvatore Pizzeria where you can get hands-on experience with our master pizzaiolos and take your homemade pizza to the next level!

California Pizza Innovations: When Tradition Meets West Coast Creativity

California has long been a hub of culinary innovation, and pizza is no exception. Since the 1980s, California-style pizza has carved its own niche in the pizza world, characterized by its creative, non-traditional toppings and fusion of diverse culinary influences.

The California pizza revolution began with chefs like Ed LaDou and restaurants like Chez Panisse and California Pizza Kitchen, who dared to reimagine what could top a pizza. They introduced ingredients previously unheard of in traditional pizzerias: goat cheese, arugula, smoked salmon, barbecue chicken, and an array of fresh, locally-sourced produce.

What sets California-style pizza apart is its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and its willingness to draw inspiration from global cuisines. You might find pizzas featuring Thai-inspired flavors with peanut sauce and cilantro, or Mexican influences with black beans and avocado.

Our California-Inspired Creations

At Salvatore Pizza, we respect our Neapolitan roots while embracing California's innovative spirit. Some of our most popular California-inspired creations include:

• The Pacific Coast: Fresh clams, garlic confit, parsley, lemon zest, and pecorino
• Wine Country Special: Roasted grapes, caramelized onions, gorgonzola, and rosemary
• Farmers Market: Seasonal vegetables from local California farms, fresh herbs, and housemade ricotta

The beauty of California pizza lies in its freedom from strict rules and traditions. It's a canvas for creativity, reflecting the state's agricultural bounty and multicultural influences.

Yet, even as we experiment with innovative toppings and techniques, we never compromise on the fundamentals: excellent dough, quality ingredients, and proper baking methods. This balance of tradition and innovation is what makes Salvatore Pizza unique in the California pizza landscape.

Join us in celebrating California's contribution to pizza evolution by trying one of our seasonal specials, featuring the freshest ingredients the Golden State has to offer.

The Art of Pairing Wine with Pizza: A Guide to Elevated Dining

While beer has long been considered pizza's traditional beverage companion, wine offers a sophisticated alternative that can elevate your pizza experience to new heights. The key is understanding how to match wine characteristics with different pizza styles and toppings.

Classic Margherita

The simplicity of a Margherita pizza—with its tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil—pairs beautifully with light to medium-bodied Italian reds. A Chianti Classico or Sangiovese offers enough acidity to complement the tomatoes without overwhelming the delicate flavors. For white wine lovers, try a crisp Pinot Grigio from northern Italy.

Pepperoni and Meat Lovers

Rich, meat-topped pizzas call for wines with enough structure and tannins to stand up to the savory, spicy flavors. A California Zinfandel or an Italian Barbera provides the perfect counterpoint, with their fruit-forward profiles and moderate tannins. The slight sweetness in these wines also helps balance the saltiness of cured meats.

White Pizzas

Creamy, garlic-forward white pizzas (no tomato sauce) find their match in fuller-bodied white wines. Try an oaked Chardonnay from California or a rich Vermentino from Italy. The buttery notes in these wines complement the cheese while their acidity cuts through the richness.

Vegetable Pizzas

For pizzas topped with grilled or roasted vegetables, look to herbaceous, aromatic wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner. Their green, vegetal notes harmonize with similar flavors in the vegetables, while their bright acidity provides refreshment.

Spicy Pizzas

When your pizza brings the heat with chili flakes, spicy sausage, or hot peppers, reach for wines with a touch of sweetness to tame the spice. Off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer works wonderfully, as does a juicy, fruit-forward red like Lambrusco.

At Salvatore Pizza, we've curated a wine list specifically designed to complement our pizza menu. Our staff is always happy to recommend the perfect pairing for your order, whether you're dining in or taking out.

Remember, the best pairing is ultimately the one you enjoy most. Don't be afraid to experiment and discover your own perfect pizza and wine combinations!

Our Commitment to Sustainability: The Green Side of Salvatore Pizza

At Salvatore Pizza, we believe that great food should not come at the expense of our planet. As a family-owned business, we're committed to sustainable practices that minimize our environmental footprint while supporting our local community. Here's how we're making our pizza operations more sustainable:

Local Sourcing

California's agricultural bounty allows us to source many of our ingredients within a 100-mile radius of our pizzerias. Our tomatoes come from farms in the Central Valley, our fresh herbs from urban gardens in the Bay Area, and our specialty cheeses from artisanal producers throughout the state. By prioritizing local ingredients, we reduce transportation emissions while ensuring peak freshness and flavor.

Seasonal Menu Adaptation

Our specials menu changes quarterly to showcase the best produce of each season. This approach not only results in better-tasting pizzas but also aligns with natural growing cycles, reducing the need for energy-intensive greenhouse cultivation or long-distance shipping of out-of-season ingredients.

Zero-Waste Initiatives

We're working toward becoming a zero-waste operation by 2025. Currently, we compost all food scraps, use biodegradable packaging for takeout orders, and have eliminated single-use plastics from our dining rooms. Our dough production is carefully calculated to minimize waste, and any unsold pizzas are donated to local food banks and shelters.

Energy Efficiency

Our newest location features solar panels that provide up to 70% of our electricity needs. We've also invested in energy-efficient pizza ovens that maintain the high temperatures needed for perfect Neapolitan pizza while using 30% less energy than conventional models.

Community Engagement

Sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to include social responsibility. We partner with local schools for pizza-making workshops, offer apprenticeships for at-risk youth interested in culinary careers, and regularly participate in community clean-up events.

We recognize that becoming truly sustainable is a journey, not a destination. We're constantly researching new ways to improve our practices and reduce our impact. We welcome suggestions from our customers and community members on how we can further our sustainability goals.

By choosing Salvatore Pizza, you're not just enjoying a delicious meal – you're supporting a business that cares about the future of our planet and community. That's something we can all feel good about.