What is Pinsa? We explain why it's popular in Italy and how it differs from pizza
Do you know what "pinsa" is? It's a popular Italian dish very similar to pizza, and it's gaining attention in Japan now that specialty shops have opened. In this article, we'll explain the characteristics, ingredients, and historical background of pinsa, as well as how it differs from pizza. Please read to the end!
What is Pinsa? We explain its popularity in Italy and how it differs from pizza.
What kind of dish is pinsa?
The name originates from the Latin word meaning "to crush".
Reasons why Pinsa is attracting attention
What is the difference between pinsa and pizza?
The history and origins of pinsa
Try pinsa, which has a different appeal than pizza!
What kind of dish is pinsa?
Pinsa is a dish that originated in Rome, Italy. It is made by topping a flat dough with ingredients and sauces and then baking it. At first glance, it looks very similar to pizza, but pinsa and pizza are different! We will explain the differences in detail later, but pinsa is called "pinsa romana" and uses dough made from wheat flour, rice flour, or soy flour.
It's characterized by its crispy, fragrant exterior and soft, chewy, and light interior. There are no set rules for toppings; just like pizza, you can find ham, vegetables, seafood, tomato sauce, and cheese, as well as sweet variations with fruits and honey.
The name pinsa comes from the Latin word "pinsare," meaning "to crush," which is also the origin of the name pizza. In ancient Rome, this flatbread was apparently used as a plate.
Actually, pinsa is a dish that's become popular among health-conscious people in Europe and America. I'll explain why later.
Reasons why Pinsa is attracting attention
As I mentioned briefly earlier, pinsa dough uses not only wheat flour but also rice flour and soy flour, resulting in a lower-calorie pizza compared to regular pizza. Furthermore, because it undergoes a long fermentation process, it's easier to digest and less likely to cause indigestion.
For these reasons, it's attracting attention from health-conscious people and young women who are concerned about calories but still want to eat something delicious. It's already a boom in its home country of Italy, and it's also gaining popularity in Japan with the opening of specialty stores and sales at places like Costco.
Pinsa and pizza look very similar. Let's take a look at the differences in the table below.
While they all share the common element of being made by placing your favorite toppings on a flat dough and baking it, a closer look reveals differences in the ingredients and preparation methods of the dough. Let's take a look below.
Pinsa is made using rice flour or soy flour.
As I've already explained, pizza is made only with wheat flour, while pinsa is made with a mixture of wheat flour, rice flour, and soy flour.
Furthermore, pinsa dough is required to have a moisture content of 80% or more, and because it contains more moisture than pizza dough, it bakes up with a crispy exterior and a soft, light interior.
Pinsa are often square or oval in shape.
Pinsa dough has a bumpy texture. This is because it has a high moisture content, and unlike pizza dough, it cannot be rotated or rolled out with a rolling pin, so it is shaped by pressing it with the fingertips.
While pizza dough is typically thick and round, pinsa dough is often rectangular or oval.
The history and origins of pinsa
Next, let's take a look at the origins and history of pinsa. The origins of pinsa lie in the bread culture of ancient Rome. At that time, flatbread was used as a plate to eat meat stews and other dishes.
Furthermore, the dough at that time was made using grains such as millet, barley, and oats, as well as salt and herbs, but later, spelt wheat, which is the ancestor of modern wheat, came to be used.
The history of pinsa is long.
Despite its long history, pinsa has only become widely known very recently. It seems that the number of shops selling pinsa increased after a food manufacturer in Rome, Italy, registered the trademark "Pinsa Romana" in 2001.
In Japan, the first establishment specializing in pinsa (a type of Japanese escort service) opened in 2015.
This time, we explained the characteristics, history, and differences between pinsa and pizza. Just like pizza, pinsa is a dish that you can enjoy freely by adding your favorite sauces and toppings. It's perfect for parties, so in addition to pizza, be sure to check out pinsa!
