Kitchen
Pizza Styles and Traditions
Assess your understanding of regional crusts, baking techniques, historic toppings, and international pizza styles.
This is a free, 7-question multiple-choice quiz. Answer each question to see whether you got it right, with an explanation for every answer. There is no sign-up and no time limit — take it as many times as you like, and scroll down for the full answer key once you are done.
Question 1 of 7
0 correct
According to Neapolitan tradition, which pizza features San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil?
Press A–D to choose · Enter to submit
Answer key & explanations
Every question in this quiz, with the correct answer marked and an explanation of why it is right. Use it to revise before or after taking the quiz above.
1.According to Neapolitan tradition, which pizza features San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil?
- APizza Marinara
- BPizza Margherita✓ Correct
- CPizza Capricciosa
- DPizza Quattro Stagioni
Correct answer: Pizza Margherita
Pizza Margherita was allegedly crafted in 1889 by Raffaele Esposito to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy, mimicking the colors of the Italian flag.
2.Chicago deep-dish pizza is distinctively layered in which unconventional order to prevent the dairy from burning during long baking?
- ACheese on bottom, meat in middle, sauce on top✓ Correct
- BSauce on bottom, cheese in middle, meat on top
- CDough, sauce, meat, cheese
- DCheese, sauce, dough, sauce
Correct answer: Cheese on bottom, meat in middle, sauce on top
Because a thick deep-dish pizza bakes for thirty to forty minutes, cheese is placed against the crust, followed by toppings, and crushed plum tomato sauce on top.
3.What rectangular pan pizza style is famous for its crispy, caramelized cheese edges baked against high-sided industrial steel trays?
- ADetroit-style pizza✓ Correct
- BSt. Louis-style pizza
- CNew Haven-style pizza
- DGrandma-style pizza
Correct answer: Detroit-style pizza
Detroit-style pizza was originally baked in repurposed blue steel automotive parts trays at Buddy's Rendezvous, yielding crispy, cheesy corners.
4.New Haven-style apizza, baked in coal-fired ovens at extreme temperatures, is renowned for which characteristic signature pie?
- AWhite clam pie✓ Correct
- BBarbecue chicken pie
- CArtichoke heart pie
- DSmoked trout pie
Correct answer: White clam pie
New Haven's Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana created the white clam pie, topped with fresh littleneck clams, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.
5.Which unique processed cheese blend made of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone is the defining topping of St. Louis-style pizza?
- AProvel✓ Correct
- BFontina
- CTaleggio
- DAsiago
Correct answer: Provel
St. Louis-style thin-crust pizza uses Provel cheese, which melts into an exceptionally gooey texture and cuts neatly into tavern-style squares.
6.What traditional Neapolitan pizza contains only tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and dried oregano, omitting cheese entirely?
- APizza Marinara✓ Correct
- BPizza Bianca
- CPizza Cosacca
- DPizza Romana
Correct answer: Pizza Marinara
Pizza Marinara is one of the oldest recorded Neapolitan styles, prepared by sailors' wives ('marinai') with shelf-stable pantry items.
7.In which country was the controversial Hawaiian pizza (ham and canned pineapple) invented by restaurateur Sam Panopoulos in 1962?
- AUnited States
- BCanada✓ Correct
- CAustralia
- DNew Zealand
Correct answer: Canada
Greek-Canadian cook Sam Panopoulos created the combination at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, naming it after the brand of canned pineapple used.
More free quizzes
- KitchenPopular Fizzy DrinksTest your beverage trivia on famous carbonated soft drinks, iconic sodas, their secret recipes, and commercial origins.7 questions
- KitchenOrigins of Kitchen SpicesExplore the geographic origins, botanical identities, and trade histories of the world's most aromatic kitchen spices.7 questions
- KitchenIconic National DishesTest your culinary knowledge of traditional signature dishes from cultures and kitchens around the world.7 questions