The 3 Best Cheeses for Pizza (and which to avoid!)
When it comes to making a truly great pizza, the cheese you choose can make all the difference. Whether you're crafting an authentic Neapolitan pizza or a simple homemade delight, picking the right cheese ensures the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and meltability. Here are the three best cheeses for pizza and a few you should steer clear of.
1. Fior di Latte Mozzarella – The Neapolitan Classic
Fior di latte mozzarella is the gold standard for Neapolitan-style pizzas. Made from cow’s milk, this low-moisture cheese melts beautifully without releasing too much liquid, preventing that dreaded soggy base. If you're working with a light, airy pizza dough cooked at high temperatures, fior di latte is your best friend. It delivers a creamy, mild taste that enhances rather than overpowers your toppings.
2. Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella & Burrata – The Indulgent Toppers
For those looking for a bit of decadence, fresh buffalo mozzarella or burrata are excellent choices. These cheeses bring a luscious, gooey texture that elevates any pizza. However, due to their high moisture content, they are best added after the pizza has been baked. This way, they melt just enough from the residual heat, creating an indulgent finish without turning your crust into a puddle.
3. Parmesan – The Flavour Booster
Parmesan isn’t a melting cheese, but it plays an important role in adding depth to your pizza. A generous sprinkle of grated parmesan can be added before or after baking, delivering a nutty, umami-rich punch. It’s the perfect finishing touch for any pizza, enhancing the overall taste profile without competing with the main ingredients. Read more about how Parmesan can be used on pizzas here.
What Cheeses to Avoid?
Not all cheeses are pizza-friendly. Some can leave you with an oily mess or a weird, plasticky texture. Here’s what to skip:
❌ High-Fat Cheeses (e.g., Cheddar)
Cheddar might be great for grilled cheese sandwiches, but on pizza, it releases too much oil, making everything greasy rather than delicious.
❌ Pre-Grated Supermarket Cheese
That convenient bag of pre-shredded cheese? It often contains anti-caking agents to prevent clumping, but these also mess with the texture and, ironically, reduce meltability.
The Final Slice
The best pizzas strike the perfect balance between flavor, texture, and meltability, and the cheese plays a huge role in that. Stick to high-quality options like fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, burrata, and parmesan for the best results. And if you want to level up your pizza game—always grate your own cheese!
You can find all these premium cheeses at our deli shop in Auckland South, where we stock everything you need for authentic Italian-style pizza. If you're after fior di latte mozzarella, we also offer nationwide delivery across New Zealand, so you can enjoy the perfect pizza no matter where you are.
