St Louis, Missouri, is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, rich history, and delectable cuisine. Among the city’s culinary treasures, St Louis style pizza stands out for its distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other pizza styles. This article delves into the world of St Louis style pizza, exploring its history, ingredients, cooking techniques, and what makes it a beloved favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Introduction to St Louis Style Pizza
St Louis style pizza has a long history that dates back to the 1960s, when it was first introduced by local pizzerias. Over the years, this style of pizza has evolved, incorporating unique ingredients and cooking methods that reflect the city’s cultural diversity. Thin crust, crispy edges, and a sweet and tangy sauce are just a few of the characteristics that define St Louis style pizza. Unlike other pizza styles, such as New York or Chicago, St Louis style pizza has a distinct flavor profile that is both familiar and innovative.
History of St Louis Style Pizza
The history of St Louis style pizza is closely tied to the city’s Italian-American community. In the early 20th century, Italian immigrants arrived in St Louis, bringing with them their culinary traditions and recipes. Over time, these recipes were adapted to incorporate local ingredients and flavors, resulting in the unique style of pizza that is enjoyed today. Ed Imo’s Pizzeria, a local institution, is often credited with popularizing St Louis style pizza in the 1960s. The pizzeria’s signature thin crust and sweet sauce quickly gained popularity, and soon, other restaurants and pizzerias began to adopt similar recipes and cooking techniques.
Evolution of St Louis Style Pizza
As St Louis style pizza gained popularity, it underwent significant changes and innovations. New ingredients and toppings were introduced, reflecting the city’s cultural diversity and culinary experimentation. The use of Provel cheese, a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan, became a hallmark of St Louis style pizza. This unique cheese blend adds a rich, creamy flavor to the pizza, complementing the sweet and tangy sauce. Additionally, the introduction of toasted ravioli, a St Louis specialty, as a topping or side dish further enhanced the city’s pizza scene.
Characteristics of St Louis Style Pizza
So, what makes St Louis style pizza different from other styles? Several key characteristics contribute to its unique flavor and texture. Thin crust, often made with a combination of flour, water, and cornmeal, is a defining feature of St Louis style pizza. The crust is crispy on the edges and chewy on the inside, providing a satisfying texture contrast. Sweet and tangy sauce, made with a combination of tomato puree, sugar, and spices, adds a depth of flavor that is both familiar and innovative. Provel cheese, as mentioned earlier, is a staple of St Louis style pizza, providing a rich, creamy flavor that complements the sauce and toppings.
Ingredients and Toppings
The ingredients and toppings used in St Louis style pizza are carefully selected to enhance the overall flavor and texture. Fresh vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, are commonly used, adding a burst of flavor and color to the pizza. Cured meats, such as pepperoni and sausage, are also popular, providing a savory, meaty flavor. Seafood options, such as shrimp and anchovies, offer a unique twist on traditional pizza toppings. When it comes to toppings, the options are endless, and local favorites, such as toasted ravioli and chicken, are often featured.
Cooking Techniques
The cooking techniques used in St Louis style pizza are designed to bring out the best in the ingredients. High-temperature ovens, often reaching temperatures of 500°F or more, are used to cook the pizza quickly, resulting in a crispy crust and caramelized toppings. Wood-fired ovens, while less common, are also used, imparting a smoky flavor to the pizza. Cooking time is carefully controlled, ensuring that the crust is cooked to perfection and the toppings are heated through.
Popular St Louis Style Pizza Restaurants
St Louis is home to a vibrant pizza scene, with numerous restaurants and pizzerias serving up delicious St Louis style pizza. Some popular options include:
- Imo’s Pizza: A St Louis institution, Imo’s has been serving up classic St Louis style pizza since 1964.
- Melo’s Pizzeria: This family-owned pizzeria has been a favorite among locals for over 20 years, offering a range of traditional and innovative pizza options.
Conclusion
St Louis style pizza is a unique and delicious culinary treasure that reflects the city’s cultural diversity and rich history. With its thin crust, sweet and tangy sauce, and Provel cheese, this style of pizza is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, St Louis style pizza is a must-try, offering a flavor experience that is both familiar and innovative. So, next time you’re in St Louis, be sure to stop by one of the city’s many pizzerias and try a slice (or two) of this beloved local favorite.
What is St Louis Style Pizza and how does it differ from other styles?
St Louis Style Pizza is a unique and flavorful style of pizza that originated in St Louis, Missouri. It is characterized by its thin crust, crispy edges, and sweet and tangy sauce. The crust is made with a special type of flour that gives it a distinctive crunch, and the sauce is made with a combination of tomatoes, sugar, and spices. This style of pizza is often topped with a blend of cheeses, including Provel, a type of cheese that is native to the St Louis area.
One of the key differences between St Louis Style Pizza and other styles is the use of Provel cheese. Provel has a smooth, creamy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients on the pizza. Another difference is the way the pizza is cooked. St Louis Style Pizzas are typically cooked in a brick oven or on a conveyor belt, which gives the crust a crispy texture and a slightly charred flavor. Overall, St Louis Style Pizza is a unique and delicious style of pizza that is worth trying for anyone who loves pizza.
What are the key ingredients used in a traditional St Louis Style Pizza?
The key ingredients used in a traditional St Louis Style Pizza include a thin crust made with a special type of flour, a sweet and tangy sauce made with tomatoes, sugar, and spices, and a blend of cheeses including Provel. The crust is typically made with a high-protein flour that gives it a strong, chewy texture, and the sauce is made with a combination of crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, sugar, and spices. The cheese blend typically includes Provel, as well as other cheeses such as cheddar and mozzarella.
In addition to the crust, sauce, and cheese, traditional St Louis Style Pizzas may also be topped with a variety of meats and vegetables, such as sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and onions. However, the toppings are typically used sparingly, as the focus of a St Louis Style Pizza is on the crust, sauce, and cheese. Some pizzerias may also offer specialty toppings, such as bacon or pineapple, but these are not typically used in traditional St Louis Style Pizzas. Overall, the key ingredients used in a traditional St Louis Style Pizza are what give it its unique flavor and texture.
How does the crust of a St Louis Style Pizza differ from other styles of pizza?
The crust of a St Louis Style Pizza is one of its most distinctive features. It is made with a special type of flour that gives it a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet flavor. The crust is also very thin, which allows it to cook quickly and evenly in the oven. This thin crust is one of the key characteristics that sets St Louis Style Pizza apart from other styles of pizza, such as Chicago-style deep dish or New York-style pizza. The crust is also crispy on the edges and chewy on the inside, which gives it a unique texture that is both crunchy and soft at the same time.
The crust of a St Louis Style Pizza is typically made with a high-protein flour that is designed to produce a strong, chewy texture. The dough is also allowed to rise for a shorter period of time than other types of pizza dough, which gives the crust a more delicate texture. When the crust is cooked, it is typically cooked in a brick oven or on a conveyor belt, which gives it a crispy texture and a slightly charred flavor. Overall, the crust of a St Louis Style Pizza is a key component of its unique flavor and texture, and it is what sets it apart from other styles of pizza.
What is Provel cheese and how is it used in St Louis Style Pizza?
Provel cheese is a type of cheese that is native to the St Louis area. It is a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan cheeses that is designed to melt well and have a smooth, creamy texture. Provel cheese is a key ingredient in St Louis Style Pizza, and it is typically used as part of a cheese blend that includes other cheeses such as cheddar and mozzarella. The Provel cheese gives the pizza a rich, creamy flavor and a smooth texture that complements the other ingredients on the pizza.
Provel cheese is used in St Louis Style Pizza because of its unique flavor and texture. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients on the pizza, and it melts well to give the pizza a creamy texture. The Provel cheese is typically blended with other cheeses to create a unique flavor profile that is characteristic of St Louis Style Pizza. Some pizzerias may also use Provel cheese as a topping, rather than as part of a cheese blend, which gives the pizza a rich, creamy flavor and a smooth texture. Overall, Provel cheese is a key ingredient in St Louis Style Pizza, and it is what gives the pizza its unique flavor and texture.
How is St Louis Style Pizza typically cooked and what type of oven is used?
St Louis Style Pizza is typically cooked in a brick oven or on a conveyor belt. The brick oven gives the crust a crispy texture and a slightly charred flavor, while the conveyor belt allows for quick and even cooking. The pizza is typically cooked at a high temperature, around 500-600 degrees Fahrenheit, for a short period of time, around 10-15 minutes. This quick cooking time gives the crust a crispy texture and a slightly charred flavor, while the high temperature gives the cheese a melted, bubbly texture.
The type of oven used to cook St Louis Style Pizza is an important factor in its unique flavor and texture. Brick ovens are typically used because they give the crust a crispy texture and a slightly charred flavor. The brick oven also allows for a high temperature and a quick cooking time, which gives the pizza its characteristic flavor and texture. Some pizzerias may also use conveyor belt ovens, which allow for quick and even cooking. These ovens are designed to cook the pizza quickly and evenly, while also giving the crust a crispy texture and the cheese a melted, bubbly texture. Overall, the type of oven used to cook St Louis Style Pizza is an important factor in its unique flavor and texture.
What are some popular toppings for St Louis Style Pizza and how are they used?
Some popular toppings for St Louis Style Pizza include sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and onions. These toppings are typically used sparingly, as the focus of a St Louis Style Pizza is on the crust, sauce, and cheese. The toppings are designed to complement the other ingredients on the pizza, rather than overpower them. Some pizzerias may also offer specialty toppings, such as bacon or pineapple, but these are not typically used in traditional St Louis Style Pizzas.
The toppings for St Louis Style Pizza are typically used in a way that complements the other ingredients on the pizza. For example, sausage and pepperoni are often used to add a spicy, savory flavor to the pizza, while mushrooms and onions are used to add a sweet, earthy flavor. The toppings are typically spread out evenly over the pizza, rather than being concentrated in one area. This allows each bite of the pizza to have a balanced flavor and texture, with a combination of crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Overall, the toppings for St Louis Style Pizza are an important part of its unique flavor and texture, and they are used in a way that complements the other ingredients on the pizza.
Can St Louis Style Pizza be made at home and what are some tips for making it successfully?
Yes, St Louis Style Pizza can be made at home with the right ingredients and equipment. To make a St Louis Style Pizza at home, you will need a pizza stone or a baking steel, a pizza peel, and a high-temperature oven. You will also need to use a special type of flour that is designed to produce a strong, chewy texture, as well as a sweet and tangy sauce and a blend of cheeses that includes Provel. Some tips for making St Louis Style Pizza at home include using a high-protein flour, allowing the dough to rise for a shorter period of time, and cooking the pizza in a high-temperature oven for a short period of time.
To make a St Louis Style Pizza at home successfully, it is also important to use the right type of cheese and to not overload the pizza with toppings. The Provel cheese is a key ingredient in St Louis Style Pizza, and it is what gives the pizza its unique flavor and texture. It is also important to not overload the pizza with toppings, as this can make the crust soggy and the flavor unbalanced. Some other tips for making St Louis Style Pizza at home include using a pizza stone or a baking steel to give the crust a crispy texture, and cooking the pizza in a brick oven or on a conveyor belt if possible. Overall, making St Louis Style Pizza at home requires the right ingredients and equipment, as well as some practice and patience to get it just right.