The Story Behind Our Italian Ingredients

At Pizzaiolo, we believe that exceptional pizza begins with exceptional ingredients. Since our founding in the 1940s, we've maintained a steadfast commitment to sourcing the finest Italian ingredients—many from the same family farms and producers we've partnered with for generations. Join me as I take you on a journey through Italy's diverse regions to discover the authentic ingredients that make our pizzas truly special.

Our Tomato Heritage: The Heart of Campania

The foundation of many of our pizzas is the humble yet extraordinary San Marzano tomato. These aren't just any tomatoes—they're a protected variety (DOP) grown in the volcanic soil of the Campania region, particularly in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.

What makes these tomatoes special? The mineral-rich volcanic soil imparts a distinctive sweet flavor with low acidity. San Marzano tomatoes are also meatier with fewer seeds than regular plum tomatoes, creating a naturally thick sauce that doesn't need to be heavily reduced.

We work directly with a cooperative of 23 small-scale farmers near Naples who grow these tomatoes using traditional methods. Each summer, the tomatoes are harvested by hand at peak ripeness, then quickly processed and packed within hours to preserve their fresh flavor.

Flour: The Foundation of Great Pizza

The perfect pizza crust begins with the right flour. For our traditional pizzas, we use authentic Italian "00" flour—the finest milled flour available. Our primary supplier is a fifth-generation mill in Piedmont that has been producing flour since 1832.

What distinguishes Italian 00 flour is its fine texture and optimal protein content (around 12.5%), which creates the perfect balance between strength and elasticity. This allows our dough to be stretched thinly while developing those beautiful air pockets during baking.

For our specialty and whole grain options, we source organic stone-ground flours from small-batch producers in Tuscany who still use traditional millstones. These slower milling methods preserve more of the grain's natural characteristics and nutrients.

Cheese: Crafted with Tradition

Fior di Latte Mozzarella

While many pizzerias use commercial mozzarella, we source traditional fior di latte—fresh cow's milk mozzarella—made in the traditional manner. Our primary cheese producer is a family-owned caseificio (cheese factory) in the Campania region that has been making cheese for over four generations.

The process begins with fresh milk from local farms, which is curdled and then stretched by hand using the traditional pasta filata method. This stretching creates the distinctive layered texture that melts so beautifully on our pizzas.

Once formed, the cheese is briefly brined and then packed in water to maintain freshness during its journey to Canada. At our pizzerias, we drain and pat the cheese dry before using it, allowing for perfect melting without excess moisture.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

For our finishing touches, we use genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano DOP from Emilia-Romagna. Each wheel is aged for a minimum of 24 months to develop complex flavors of fruit, nuts, and butter.

We import whole wheels and crack them open in our central kitchen, ensuring freshness and preventing the oxidation that happens with pre-grated cheese. The rinds don't go to waste—we use them to flavor our house-made soups.

Olive Oil: Liquid Gold

Our extra virgin olive oil comes from a family-owned grove in Sicily that specializes in the Nocellara del Belice variety. These olives produce an oil with a beautiful balance of fruity, bitter, and peppery notes.

The olives are harvested early in the season when they're still partially green, creating an oil rich in polyphenols with a vibrant green color. Within hours of picking, the olives are cold-pressed to preserve their flavor compounds and nutritional benefits.

Cured Meats: Artisanal Excellence

For our specialty pizzas featuring prosciutto, salami, and other cured meats, we partner with small-scale producers who follow traditional methods:

Prosciutto di Parma

Our prosciutto is authentic Prosciutto di Parma DOP, aged for a minimum of 18 months. The pigs are raised according to strict regulations in the hills around Parma, fed a special diet that includes whey from Parmigiano-Reggiano production. This creates a beautiful connection between two of Italy's most celebrated products.

The curing process uses only sea salt, no nitrates or other preservatives, allowing the natural flavors to develop slowly over time. We slice the prosciutto fresh at each location to ensure the perfect delicate texture.

Salami and Soppressata

Our selection of salami comes from a small producer in Calabria who still makes salami according to recipes passed down through five generations. The pork is sourced from heritage breed pigs raised in a free-range environment, then mixed with hand-ground spices and fermented naturally.

Fresh Produce: Local Meets Italian

While we source many specialty ingredients directly from Italy, we're equally committed to supporting local Canadian farmers. Our approach to fresh produce follows the Italian philosophy of using what's local and in season:

• Basil: Grown year-round in local greenhouses following organic practices
• Seasonal vegetables: Sourced from farms within a 100-mile radius whenever possible
• Wild mushrooms: Foraged by specialists in British Columbia and Ontario forests
• Arugula: Grown by a network of small urban farms specializing in tender greens

This balanced approach allows us to maintain authentic Italian flavors while reducing our carbon footprint and supporting local agriculture.

From Italy to Your Plate: Our Logistics

Bringing these ingredients from Italy to Canada involves careful planning and a commitment to quality preservation. Here's a glimpse into our process:

1. Our partners in Italy harvest or produce items at peak quality
2. Products are immediately packaged with minimal processing
3. Temperature-controlled shipping containers preserve freshness during transit
4. Weekly deliveries ensure consistent supply of fresh products
5. Our quality control team inspects every shipment upon arrival
6. Ingredients are distributed to our 40+ locations within 24 hours

Sustainability Commitments

We recognize that importing ingredients has environmental impacts, which is why we've implemented several sustainability initiatives:

• Consolidating shipments to reduce transportation emissions
• Working with suppliers who practice regenerative agriculture
• Using reusable shipping containers rather than single-use packaging
• Supporting suppliers with carbon offset programs
• Balancing imported specialty items with locally sourced fresh produce

Taste the Difference

We invite you to experience the difference these carefully sourced ingredients make in every bite of our pizza. From the perfect chew of our dough to the sweet acidity of our tomato sauce and the rich complexity of our cheese, each element contributes to a truly authentic Italian pizza experience.

Next time you visit Pizzaiolo or order for delivery, take a moment to appreciate the journey these ingredients have made—from the volcanic soils of Campania, the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, and the sun-drenched groves of Sicily directly to your plate.