Quality ingredients are essential for crafting an exceptional Neapolitan pizza. But does it justify the additional expense for San Marzano tomatoes?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of San Marzano tomatoes and their role in crafting the perfect Neapolitan pizza.
What are San Marzano tomatoes?
San Marzano is a type of plum tomato originating from the Campania region in southern Italy. These legendary tomatoes thrive in the volcanic soil on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.
What sets San Marzano tomatoes apart is their flavor profile, with a distinct sweet taste combined with low acidity. In terms of texture, they are meatier and contain less water than many other tomato varieties. This makes them excellent for thick, flavorful sauces, and ideal for both pizza and pasta.
The flavor profile is what sets the San Marzano tomatoes apart, a sweet flavor, low acidity,
They are meatier and have less water than other types of tomato, making them excellent for making thick, flavorful sauces for both pizza and pasta.
Despite their short season, San Marzano tomatoes are harvested at the peak of ripeness and can be enjoyed canned all year round.
San Marzano tomatoes also come with a rich legacy.
Their reputation has been cultivated over decades. In Italy, these tomatoes are not only seen as a food ingredient; they represent the country’s culinary heritage.
Much like how Champagne has a protected designation in France, San Marzano tomatoes enjoy a protected designation of origin status in Europe. So to carry the “San Marzano” label, tomatoes must be cultivated in a specific region and meet designated production standards.
What’s special about San Marzano tomatoes?
San Marzano tomatoes are a popular choice for pizza-making because of their sweetness and low acidity. They also have low moisture content and few seeds, making them ideal for a rich and balanced sauce that perfectly complements the flavorful crust and creamy cheese of a Neapolitan pizza.
The unique taste and characteristics of the San Marzano tomato are believed to come from the mineral-rich volcanic soil in which they grow, beneath Mount Vesuvius.
The importance of getting real San Marzano tomatoes
Not every can is labeled “San Marzano” contains genuine tomatoes from the Campania region. To ensure you’re sourcing the best tomatoes, it’s crucial to secure the real deal.
Real San Marzano tomatoes come with a DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) certificate. This certification serves as a stamp of authenticity, guaranteeing that the San Marzano tomatoes you purchase have been grown and processed in their native region, following strict standards.
But it’s not just about the label. Authentic San Marzano tomatoes possess a flavor and texture that’s hard to replicate.
By choosing a genuine product, you’re ensuring that you get a rich, sweet, and low-acidic taste. Investing in the real thing is a commitment to quality and authenticity. And when crafting an authentic Neapolitan pizza, every ingredient truly matters.
Why you’re not getting the most out of your San Marzano tomatoes
To get the most out of your San Marzano tomatoes, they should be distinctly tasted on your pizza.
When paired with a flavorful crust and creamy cheese, sweet San Marzano tomatoes strike the perfect balance, making everything taste just right.
But improper preparation can easily ruin their delightful flavor. Some common mistakes include:
- Crushing the seeds: Blending the tomatoes can break the seeds, releasing their bitterness. This ruins the tomato’s natural sweet and balanced taste.
- Adding sugar: San Marzano tomatoes are inherently sweet, so there’s no need for extra sugar. If you think sugar is needed, it’s probably because the tomatoes were blended.
- Overloading flavors: To truly appreciate San Marzano tomatoes, avoid overpowering them with strong spices or other competing ingredients.
The role of San Marzano tomatoes in Neapolitan pizza
Neapolitan pizza thrives on a delicate balance of flavors. The dough, with its soft, airy texture, and the cheese, with its creamy richness, need just the right counterpart.
San Marzano tomatoes enhance the pizza’s taste by adding a sweet, low-acidic flavor that compliments the other ingredients without overpowering them.
But it’s not just about flavor. Authenticity plays a massive role in Neapolitan pizza. The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) has strict guidelines for what constitutes a true Neapolitan pizza. One of their key requirements is the use of San Marzano tomatoes. So if you’re aiming for genuine Neapolitan pizza, San Marzano tomatoes are essential.
In short, San Marzano tomatoes are the backbone of the Neapolitan pizza flavor profile and are vital for upholding its tradition and authenticity.
Alternatives to San Marzano tomatoes
San Marzano tomatoes aren’t always easy to find, and they often come with a higher price tag, but there are alternatives.
Roma tomatoes
Roma tomatoes are probably the closest match in terms of shape and, to some degree, flavor. While Romas tend to be meatier and less sweet, with a bit of finesse and seasoning, they can serve as a decent substitute for San Marzano in your pizza sauce.
Cherry tomatoes
Another alternative to San Marzano tomatoes is canned cherry tomatoes. While they may lack the depth and rich texture of San Marzano tomatoes, their natural sweetness makes them suitable for a vibrant, fresh-tasting pizza sauce.
Other alternatives
There are way too many tomatoes out there to detail in this article, However, as a rule of thumb, tomatoes that are sweet and flavorful with low water content will come closest to the characteristics of San Marzano and will make for a tasty pizza sauce.
Price consideration
There’s no beating around the bush: Authentic canned San Marzano tomatoes often come with a slightly heftier price tag.
Their status, coupled with the DOP regulations and the limited region in which they grow, contributes to their premium pricing.
When deciding if the cost is justified, you have to consider the taste and texture San Marzanos brings to your pizza. The price might seem high compared to other canned tomatoes but spread over several pizzas, the price per pizza is not as bad.
It’s undeniable that some alternatives come at a lower cost, but using the best ingredients available is the key to amazing Neapolitan pizza, and to me, it’s worth a few extra dollars to get the best tomatoes.
Conclusion
Neapolitan pizza, with its history and rigorous standards, is more than just a dish, it’s an experience.
The tomato is essential to this experience. San Marzano tomatoes give Neapolitan pizza that unique taste that’s hard, if not impossible, to replace. But it’s not just about taste, it’s about tradition too. If you want to recreate the real Neapolitan pizza, then San Marzano is the way to go. Even the strict rules from AVPN back this up.
Now, I get it. Not everyone can always get their hands on San Marzano tomatoes, and that’s okay. There are other tomatoes out there that also make great pizza. Just remember, if you’re using a different type, you might need to tweak your recipe a bit to get close to that classic flavor. At the end of the day, it’s all about enjoying the process and savoring the result. So, whether you’re using San Marzano or another type of tomato, happy pizza making!
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