Picture this: you’re in New York City, the pizza capital of the world. The aroma of melted cheese and tangy tomato sauce fills the air, beckoning you closer. You’re craving a slice, but a question lingers: New York style or Brooklyn style? Both promise pizza perfection, but which one reigns supreme? New York-style pizza is the undisputed king, an iconic food staple that has captivated taste buds for generations. Yet, the Brooklyn-style pizza has emerged as a formidable contender, sparking a debate among pizza aficionados. While sharing common ancestry and a commitment to culinary excellence, subtle but significant differences set these two styles apart. This article delves deep into the heart of the pizza debate, exploring the nuances that define each style and uncovering the secrets behind their distinct flavors and textures.
Understanding New York Style Pizza
New York-style pizza isn’t just a food; it’s a cultural icon, deeply intertwined with the city’s identity. Its simplicity and portability make it the perfect grab-and-go meal for busy New Yorkers. At the heart of this culinary masterpiece lies the crust. The hallmark of New York-style pizza is its thin, foldable crust, achieving that perfect balance between crispness and chewiness. This distinctive texture is achieved through careful craftsmanship. The dough, made with high-gluten flour, is meticulously kneaded and proofed, allowing the gluten to develop and create a pliable yet sturdy base. Baked directly on a pizza stone in a blistering hot oven, the crust achieves its signature slightly charred and crispy bottom, providing the perfect foundation for the toppings.
The sauce is another key element of this classic pizza. It’s a simple yet flavorful concoction, typically made from San Marzano tomatoes – prized for their sweetness and low acidity – lightly seasoned with herbs and spices. The focus is on letting the quality of the tomatoes shine through, creating a vibrant and fresh base that complements the other ingredients. Topping the sauce is a generous layer of grated, low-moisture mozzarella cheese, evenly distributed to ensure every bite is cheesy and satisfying. This type of mozzarella melts beautifully, creating that classic stringy, gooey texture that is so characteristic of New York-style pizza.
Key characteristics of New York style pizza include its large slices, typically cut into six generous portions. Its size and flexible nature make it the perfect food for on-the-go enjoyment. The famous “New York Fold” is a testament to its design – a practical and efficient way to enjoy a slice while navigating the bustling city streets. New York slices are often sold individually, making it a perfect meal to grab for lunch. This portability contributes to its widespread popularity. A little oil is expected on a good new york slice.
A Brief Historical Note
New York-style pizza owes its existence to Italian immigrants who arrived in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They brought with them their traditional pizza-making techniques, adapting them to local ingredients and American tastes. Over time, this evolved into the iconic New York-style pizza we know and love today.
Discovering Brooklyn Style Pizza
Brooklyn-style pizza, while sharing lineage with its New York counterpart, carves out its own distinct identity through subtle yet noticeable variations. It’s often perceived as a more artisanal take on the classic, emphasizing fresh ingredients and a unique textural experience. The defining characteristic of Brooklyn-style pizza is its crust. The crust is what sets this style apart. It boasts a thinner and crispier profile compared to New York style, often described as having a “crackery” texture. While still crafted with high-gluten flour, the dough typically contains less water, resulting in a denser and more compact structure. Furthermore, the baking process contributes significantly to its signature crispness. Brooklyn-style pizzas are often baked directly on the oven deck, allowing for maximum heat transfer and creating a perfectly crisp bottom. Some pizzerias may also use cornmeal on the baking surface to enhance the crispness and add a subtle, slightly gritty texture.
The sauce in Brooklyn-style pizza often resembles that of New York style, but with a greater emphasis on freshness and quality. Many pizzerias opt for using the best possible tomatoes in their region. Some recipes may even use chunkier tomato sauces, as opposed to the smoother blended sauces.
The cheese is where the styles diverge significantly. Unlike the grated, low-moisture mozzarella commonly used in New York-style pizza, Brooklyn-style often features fresh mozzarella. This type of mozzarella, known for its creamy texture and delicate flavor, is typically applied in dollops or irregularly across the pizza, creating pockets of cheesy goodness. Furthermore, some pizzerias may incorporate Parmesan or other hard cheeses to add depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
The slices are larger and fewer than what you would find with New York style. Brooklyn pizza offers eight slices as opposed to the six you would find with a New York pizza. This allows people to have smaller portions. It also makes it less foldable than it’s cousin style.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Key Differences
Let’s break down the key differences to provide a clear and concise comparison between Brooklyn style vs New York style pizza.
The contrast in crust texture is immediately apparent. New York-style boasts a thin and foldable crust, providing a satisfying chewiness. Brooklyn-style, on the other hand, presents a thinner and crispier crust, delivering a delightful crunch with every bite.
The cheese selection also sets these two styles apart. New York-style relies on grated, low-moisture mozzarella, evenly distributed for consistent coverage. Brooklyn-style embraces fresh mozzarella, often applied in dollops, creating bursts of creamy flavor and visual appeal. It also often features cheeses like parmesean to add to the taste profile. Parmesan cheese is rarely used in New York pizzas.
While both styles utilize tomato-based sauces, the consistency can differ slightly. New York-style typically features a smooth sauce, evenly coating the crust. Brooklyn-style may opt for a chunkier sauce, adding texture and a rustic touch to the pizza.
The two styles also divide themselves by number of slices and overall feel. New York pizza has six slices whereas Brooklyn pizza has eight. Brooklyn focuses on fresh ingredients, with new york being a classic greasy style of pizza. While both are large, New York is very foldable and Brooklyn is not.
The baking method also contributes to the distinct characteristics of each style. New York-style pizzas are typically baked on a pizza stone, ensuring even heat distribution. Brooklyn-style pizzas are often baked directly on the oven deck, or with cornmeal, maximizing contact with the heat source and creating a crispier bottom.
Myths and Misconceptions
There are several common misconceptions surrounding Brooklyn-style pizza. One prevalent myth is that it’s simply New York-style pizza made in Brooklyn. While Brooklyn is undoubtedly a hub for pizza innovation, Brooklyn-style pizza possesses distinct characteristics that differentiate it from its New York counterpart. Another misconception is that all Brooklyn-style pizza is the same. In reality, variations exist depending on the pizzeria and their individual interpretation of the style. It is a broad category that encompasses many different types of pies.
It is important to know that some places will sell New York-style pizza *as* Brooklyn-style pizza. However, it is important to emphasize that real Brooklyn-style has a distinct crispness.
Finding Authentic Brooklyn and New York Style Pizza
Seeking an authentic pizza experience requires a discerning eye and a willingness to explore. When searching for authentic versions of each style, pay attention to the details. Look for specific ingredients and preparation methods that align with the characteristics outlined above. Seek recommendations from locals and read online reviews to identify pizzerias renowned for their commitment to quality and tradition. When in doubt, ask the staff about their ingredients and cooking methods. If you are in the neighborhood, see if you can observe the pizza makers in action.
Ultimately, the best way to determine your preference is to try both styles and form your own opinion. Explore different pizzerias, experiment with toppings, and savor the unique flavors and textures that each style has to offer.
Conclusion
In the end, both Brooklyn and New York-style pizzas offer a delicious taste of the city’s vibrant culinary landscape. New York-style pizza is the iconic classic, known for its thin, foldable crust and simple yet satisfying flavors. Brooklyn-style pizza offers a slightly crispier texture and often incorporates fresh mozzarella, resulting in a more artisanal experience. Choosing between the two ultimately boils down to personal preference. Both styles are delicious and unique, but Brooklyn offers something a little different. We’ve highlighted the main differences between the two, but in truth, they are both amazing.
Now it’s your turn! Which style do you prefer, and why? Share your favorite pizza experiences in the comments below!
