Is cold pizza OK to eat?

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Is Cold Pizza OK to eat? We will discuss whether there is a health risk from eating cold pizza and how (un)healthy really is pizza.

Is cold pizza OK to eat?

Yes, eating cold pizza is OK, some say even more delicious than a hot pizza. Recycling pizza to consume it during the next day is surely one of the best known and most shared practices. But why does cold pizza taste nice? According to Dr. Cooper of Stirling University, the secret is not in the dough… but in the properties and taste of the tomato sauce. 

The fact that the fibers contained in the dough trap moisture (thus preventing the crunchy dough from being doughy) has an effect similar to that of water mixed with oil: according to Dr. Cooper, cold pizza tastes better because the fat from the ingredients do not impregnate all its layers, but the cheese sits on the tomato without mixing and enhancing its flavor.

What happens if you eat cold pizza? 

It is perfectly safe to eat cold pizza, provided that it has been stored properly below the recommended temperature according to USDA guidelines. Pizza that is stored in the refrigerator can last for 3 – 4 days. Some people actually prefer to consume cold pizza and it is perfectly safe.

Is there a health risk from eating cold pizza?

Not really. Assuming the pizza has been cooled and stored correctly, it likely won’t have developed a potentially harmful microbial load. Also, reheating can kill most of the microbes in the food (assuming you have reached and maintained a sufficient temperature for pasteurization, which is not a given), which would not make the food completely safe because even dead germs can leave toxic substances that can make you sick.

Be warned that just because you haven’t fallen ill in the past doesn’t mean your method is completely safe. Food safety is a science of relative risk, not absolute certainty, and being lucky 99 times in a row doesn’t mean the 100th time won’t be miserable.

But, the bottom line is: put your pizza in the fridge when you’re done eating it and don’t keep it for more than a few days or if it shows obvious signs of deterioration, and most likely you’ll be fine. Reheating is not essential.

Is cold pizza OK for breakfast?

Cold pizza is OK to consume for breakfast. Some believe that it is even healthier than breakfast cereals. According to the newspaper The Daily Meal, the reason why dietitians can affirm that eating pizza in the morning may be healthier than eating cereals is that, in most of the options that are presented to us, we rarely find protein, healthy fats, and way beyond huge doses of sugar.

Against this, a slice of pizza can provide the carbohydrates and proteins that our body needs in the morning as well as contain a greater number of healthy fats and even depending on the vegetable option. It also contains good amounts of cheese, one of the foods that are beginning to be recommended lately.

Can pizza be healthy?

If we were to name a type of food loved by most, I think pizza would fit very well in this category. It is very versatile and you can “customize” it with the ingredients you like, vegetarian or not and there are even raw options.

The story of this dish considered a symbol of Italy begins in antiquity and, as usual, has reached the form we know today after some transformations and adaptations that have taken place over time, while still retaining a piece of mystery. At first, pizza was very simple and resembled focaccia, being food for the poor. 

The first mention of the term “pizza” appears in a document from 997. In the 16th century, in Naples, the name was used to define a flatbread, “pizza” apparently deriving from the crushing of the word “pitta”. “.

The content on the counter has gradually begun to diversify and become richer, with classic ingredients including olive oil, cheese, basil, and other herbs. Later, after the discovery of America and the importation of tomatoes into Europe, they became the main ingredient. 

The most famous pizza story is Pizza Margherita, created in honor of Queen Margaret of Savoy in 1889 by Raffaele Esposito, in tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, in the colors of the Italian flag. The worldwide pizza fame is also due to the Italian emigrants, who took it with them to America, proud of their gastronomic tradition.

After this short trip into history, the question remains: is pizza a healthy food? The answer is very simple: it depends. A pizza with a large countertop, covered with dubious toppings made of powder, over which you put plenty of ketchup and suspicious sausages, well, is not the best choice. Pouring ketchup over pizza seems sad to me, but in the end, the tastes are not discussed…

There are some classic pizzas, which you can find in almost any restaurant that includes this dish: Quattro formaggi, Margherita, Mexican, Capricciosa, etc. In some menus, there are pizzas with exotic ingredients, in surprising combinations. But regardless of the extravagance of the combinations on the counter, the freshness and quality of the ingredients I think should prevail. In my opinion, frozen or semi-prepared pizza betrays the idea of ​​slow food, freshly prepared.

Pizza can also be very healthy and tasty. When, for example, you prepare it at home or serve it at a reputable restaurant or pizzeria. A whole top with real tomato sauce, vegetables, and cheese, maybe some fresh meat or seafood, to taste, is a hearty meal, but also healthy. So STOP blaming the pizza, the problem is not the dish itself, but how it is cooked and served!

Other FAQs about Pizza which you may be interested in.

How to cook a frozen pizza without an oven?

Can you cook a frozen pizza in the microwave?

How long does pizza dough last in the fridge?

If you want to reheat pizza

First, cook the pizza in the skillet over medium-low heat for 2 minutes to make it nice and crisp.

Then put two drops of water in the pan, not too close to the slice, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan for a minute to moisten it. This allows the cheese on top to melt a bit and become sticky. Enjoy!

When finished, the pizza should be left with the melted cheese, a moist crust, and a crispy bottom.

Conclusions

Cold pizza tastes better because the fat from the ingredients do not impregnate all its layers, but the cheese sits on the tomato without mixing and enhancing its flavor.  So do not hesitate to put your pizza in the fridge when you’re done eating it and don’t keep it for more than a few days or if it shows obvious signs of deterioration, and most likely you’ll be fine. Reheating is not essential.

Do you agree with us? If you are a pizza lover, please leave a comment with your favorite pizza recipe!

References

Tasteatlas.com

Tasty.co