The bread in your pizza

The pizza crust is made from flour, yeast and other ingredients. The ingredients are combined, and the dough is formed into a round and flat shape that is eventually baked in an oven. Generally, the crust serves as the base of the pizza onto which tomato sauce is poured before covering it with pizza toppings.

The pizza crust usually varies according to how it is prepared. Among the most popular type of pizza crusts are the hand tossed, the pan pizza, and the Chicago style pizza. Hand tossed pizza is characterized by its thin crust. The dough, after being kneaded, is formed into a round shape. It is then repeatedly rolled with a pin and tossed in the air until the desired thickness is achieved. Commonly, the crust is thin and the entire dough measures 14 to 22 inches. The crust is often crunchy on the bottom, yet thick enough to have a soft and doughy texture on the top. This type of pizza is also referred to as Roman pizza.

Pan pizza is known for its thick crust. The dough is formed into a deep sided pan, in which it is also baked. The Chicago style pizza is a variety of pizza characterized by its very thick crust. A layer of dough is laid into a deep dish pan before it is lined with different toppings.

Pizza dough was traditionally plain; however, there have been many variations such as the addition of seasonings like garlic, herbs and butter. Apart from these varieties, there is also the stuffed crust pizza wherein two layers of crust are filled with cheese or sausage. The Calzone is another popular style, in which pizza toppings are baked in a sealed pocket of dough. The result is a steaming hot pizza pocket that is enjoyed with a knife and fork.