--- title: Selecting the Best Tomatoes for Neapolitan Pizza description: Learn how to choose the perfect tomatoes for authentic Neapolitan pizza. Discover the ideal varieties, like San Marzano and Italian Plum, and tips on achieving the right texture, flavor, and acidity for your sauce. image: https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hubfs/pu-neapolitan-pizza-tomatoes-header.jpg --- Contact Us Now! - [(301) 937-1003](tel:+13019371003) - [info@pizzauniversity.org](mailto:info@pizzauniversity.org) [![PizzaUniversity](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/HubspotLogoPizzaU.png?width=150&height=150&name=HubspotLogoPizzaU.png "PizzaUniversity")](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) - [Home](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) - [About](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/about/) - [Pizza University Courses](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/pizzauu-courses/) - [Gallery](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/gallery/) - [Blog](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/) - [Contact Us](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/contact-us/) - [Home](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) - [About](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/about/) - [Pizza University Courses](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/pizzauu-courses/) - [Gallery](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/gallery/) - [Blog](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/) - [Contact Us](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/contact-us/) ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hubfs/pu-neapolitan-pizza-tomatoes-header.jpg) # Selecting the Best Tomatoes for Neapolitan Pizza Published by [Pizza University Marketing](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/author/pizza-university-marketing) on Dec 2, 2024 1:00:00 AM When it comes to crafting an authentic Neapolitan pizza, your choice of tomato is crucial. On classic pizzas like Marinara or Margherita, your tomato sauce must strike the perfect balance of consistency, acidity, freshness, and flavor to complement the simple yet iconic toppings. But what makes the perfect tomato sauce? Should it be cooked beforehand? Should you crush it by hand, with a mill, or perhaps an immersion blender? And how dense should the sauce be? **The Ideal Tomato for Neapolitan Pizza** According to the official guidelines of the Art of Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the tomato used for Marinara and Margherita must be either fresh or [whole peeled.](https://orlandofoods.com/products/ciao-whole-peeled-tomatoes/) If using peeled tomatoes, [Italian Plum](https://orlandofoods.com/products/ciao-whole-peeled-tomatoes/) and [San Marzano](https://orlandofoods.com/products/dop-san-marzano-tomatoes/) varieties are preferred. These should be drained and crushed by hand to achieve the desired texture. ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-2.png?width=800&height=535&name=image-png-2.png) When preparing tomatoes for Neapolitan pizza, consider these key factors: - **Density:** The tomato sauce shouldn’t be overly thick, as it needs to blend well with the other ingredients and bake properly in a high-heat oven. - **Freshness:** Using tomatoes harvested and canned just a few hours later preserves their natural flavor. - **Acidity:** The right balance of sweetness and acidity is essential, so the tomato should be at the ideal ripeness. - **Flavor:** In adherence to the Verace Pizza guidelines, tomatoes must be salted before use, not directly on the dough, to enhance the taste during baking. For those seeking to replicate the true taste of Naples, VPN-certified [Ciao tomatoes](https://ciaotomatoes.com/) meet and exceed all these standards, ensuring your Neapolitan pizza is as authentic as possible. ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-3.png?width=737&height=493&name=image-png-3.png) To explore more about selecting the right tomatoes and other tips, learn more from Ciao on this [topic.](https://ciaotomatoes.com/blogs/learn/choosing-the-right-tomatoes-for-neapolitan-pizza) Tags: [Pizza University Partners](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/tag/pizza-university-partners) [Back to Blog](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Related Articles ## [From Soil to Sauce: Why Italian Tomatoes Are the Gold Standard for Health and Flavor](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/from-soil-to-sauce-why-italian-tomatoes-are-the-gold-standard-for-health-and-flavor) Italian tomatoes aren’t just an ingredient—they’re a legacy. From their sun-soaked origins in the... [Read More](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/from-soil-to-sauce-why-italian-tomatoes-are-the-gold-standard-for-health-and-flavor) ## [Why Frozen Dough Balls Are the Game-Changer Your Pizzeria Needs](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/why-frozen-dough-balls-are-the-game-changer-your-pizzeria-needs) Have you ever wondered how top pizzerias churn out high-quality pizzas with perfectly shaped crusts... [Read More](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/why-frozen-dough-balls-are-the-game-changer-your-pizzeria-needs) ## [Find Your Flour: When to Use Different Caputo Flours and Why](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/when-to-use-different-caputo-flours-and-why) With a large variety of flours to choose from, it is easy be overwhelmed when trying to determine... 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