Caputo '00' Pizza Flour in Canada: A Buyer's Guide
The "00" on a bag of Caputo flour is an Italian milling grade, not a protein or strength rating. Italy grades soft-wheat flour by how finely it is milled — from coarse Tipo 2 down to the finest Tipo 00. For true Neapolitan pizza, the AVPN recommends a medium-strength flour of roughly W 250–320 and 11–13.5% protein. Caputo is an AVPN-approved supplier, and its blue "Pizzeria" 00 flour is built for the high heat and long ferments of Neapolitan dough.
Caputo '00' Pizza Flour in Canada: A Buyer's Guide
What "00" actually means on Italian flour, why Neapolitan pizzerias use it, and how to buy Caputo flour in bulk for your Canadian restaurant or pizzeria.
What "00" Actually Means on Italian Flour
The Italian flour grades (00, 0, 1, 2 and integrale) describe how finely the wheat is milled and how much bran and germ is sifted out. Tipo 00 is the most refined and most finely ground; Tipo 2 is the coarsest. "00" tells you about texture and refinement, not about protein or strength.
This is the most common mistake Canadian buyers make: assuming "00" means high protein or strong flour. It does not. Two different 00 flours can have very different protein levels and W values. The grade alone is not enough to choose a flour for your dough.
What Canadian Pizza Operators Need to Know
"00" Is a Grind Grade, Not a Strength Rating
Tipo 00 is the most finely milled and refined Italian soft-wheat flour, with most of the bran and germ removed. It is not a protein or strength rating.
AVPN Recommends Medium Strength for Neapolitan
The AVPN Neapolitan pizza regulation permits Type 00 or Type 0 soft-wheat flour and recommends medium strength: W 250–320, about 11–13.5% protein.
Caputo Is AVPN-Approved
Caputo is listed as an AVPN-approved flour supplier. Blue-bag Pizzeria 00 is designed for high-temperature Neapolitan pizza, while Chef's 00 (red bag) is stronger and more versatile.
Protein Varies by Line
Popular Caputo 00 flours sit around 12–12.5% protein, with Chef's near 13.5% and Americana around 14.25%. Always check the bag for the specific value.
W Strength Matters More Than the Grade
W measures gluten strength — how much a dough can be worked and how long it can ferment. Because "00" says nothing about W, two 00 flours can behave very differently.
Bulk Sourcing Saves 5–15%
Buying Caputo flour by the 25 kg bag from a Canadian wholesale supplier like ChickenPieces saves 5–15% compared to retail, with no membership required.
Why Neapolitan Pizza Calls for 00 Flour
The fine, refined character of 00 flour gives Neapolitan dough its smooth, extensible feel. The AVPN states dough can use Type 00 or Type 0 soft-wheat flour and recommends medium strength (W ~250–320, ~11–13.5% protein) for the long fermentation that defines true Neapolitan pizza.
At high temperatures (485°C / 905°F in a wood-fired oven), a medium-strength 00 flour produces the characteristic leopard-spotted crust with a soft, airy crumb. Too much protein and the crust turns tough. Too little and it lacks structure for the 8–12 minute bulk ferment and 60–90 minute proof that Neapolitan dough requires.
What Is "W Strength" and Why Does It Matter?
W is a measure of gluten strength developed by the Chopin alveograph test. It tells you how much mechanical work a dough can withstand and how long it can ferment before breaking down. A flour with W 180 is weak and suitable for short-ferment biscuits; a flour with W 400 is strong enough for panettone or long-ferment sourdough.
For Neapolitan pizza, the sweet spot is W 250–320. Caputo Pizzeria 00 sits in this range. Because "00" says nothing about W, always check the protein and W value on the bag rather than relying on the grade alone.
Caputo Pizzeria vs Chef's Flour
Both are Tipo 00, but they are built for different applications. Here is how they compare:
| Characteristic | Pizzeria (Blue Bag) | Chef's (Red Bag) |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ~12.5% | ~13.5% |
| W Strength | W 250–320 | W 320–380 |
| Best For | Neapolitan pizza (wood-fired) | Pizza, bread, pasta |
| Fermentation | 8–24 hour cold ferment | 12–48 hour cold ferment |
| Oven Temp | 400–485°C | 250–400°C |
| AVPN Approved | Yes | Yes |
Can You Use 00 Flour in a Home Oven?
Yes. Bake as hot as your oven allows, preheat a steel or stone for at least 45 minutes, and cold-ferment the dough for 24–72 hours. You will not get the same char as a wood-fired oven at 485°C, but the crumb will be excellent — light, airy, and with the characteristic chew that makes Neapolitan pizza distinctive.
For home ovens that max out at 260°C (500°F), the Chef's flour (red bag) is actually a better choice than Pizzeria. Its higher protein and W strength give the dough more structure to survive a longer bake time without drying out.
- 1 Choose the right flour — Pizzeria (blue) for high heat, Chef's (red) for home ovens. Check the protein and W on the bag.
- 2 Cold ferment 24–72 hours — Long, cold fermentation develops flavour and digestibility. Use 60–65% hydration for 00 flour.
- 3 Preheat your steel or stone — At least 45 minutes at max oven temperature. A steel retains more heat than a stone for home ovens.
- 4 Stretch, don't roll — Use your hands to stretch the dough from the centre outward. A rolling pin crushes the air bubbles you spent 24+ hours building.
- 5 Watch the bake time — Home oven pizza takes 4–7 minutes depending on thickness. Rotate halfway for even browning.
Caputo Flour at ChickenPieces
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Caputo '00' Flour for Canadian Pizzerias
Questions we get from pizza operators across Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and the prairies.
"00" is the finest Italian milling grade. It describes how finely the wheat is ground and how much bran and germ is removed. It is not a protein or strength rating. Two different 00 flours can have very different protein levels and W values.
No. Caputo 00 flour is milled from soft Italian wheat and has a finer texture and lower protein content than most Canadian all-purpose flour (which is typically 13–14% protein from hard red spring wheat). They behave differently in dough and are not interchangeable for Neapolitan pizza.
Pizzeria (blue) is tuned for high-heat Neapolitan pizza at medium strength (W 250–320, ~12.5% protein). Chef's (red) is stronger (~13.5% protein, W 320–380) and more versatile across pizza, bread, and pasta. Choose Pizzeria for wood-fired ovens and Chef's for home ovens or longer ferments.
Yes. Bake as hot as your oven allows, preheat a steel or stone for 45+ minutes, and cold-ferment the dough for 24–72 hours. For home ovens maxing out at 260°C, Chef's flour (red bag) is actually a better choice than Pizzeria because its higher protein gives the dough more structure for a longer bake.
For Neapolitan pizza with Caputo Pizzeria, start at 60–65% hydration. The fine grind of 00 flour absorbs water differently than North American flour. If the dough feels too stiff, add water in 1% increments. Chef's flour can handle slightly higher hydration (65–70%) due to its higher protein content.
Minimum 8 hours at room temperature for same-day pizza. For best flavour, cold-ferment 24–72 hours in the refrigerator. Caputo Pizzeria peaks at about 48 hours; beyond that the gluten structure starts to break down. Chef's flour can handle 72+ hours due to its higher W strength.
Yes. We ship to every province and territory from our Calgary warehouse. Processing time is 2–3 business days. Bulk orders of 6+ bags qualify for 5% off, 20+ bags for 7% off, and 36+ bags for 10% off.
Standard Caputo 00 flour is not gluten-free. However, Caputo makes Fioreglut, a certified gluten-free blend designed for pizza and baking. It uses rice starch, corn starch, and vegetable fibres to mimic the texture of wheat flour. We stock it in 5 kg bags.
Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and sunlight. For a 25 kg bag, transfer what you need into an airtight container and seal the bag. In Calgary's dry climate, it keeps well for 6–12 months. In humid environments, consider refrigerating or freezing portions you will not use within 3 months.
Unopened: 12–18 months from the mill date when stored properly. Opened: 6–12 months in an airtight container. Caputo prints a "best before" date on the bag. We rotate our warehouse stock to ensure you receive flour with at least 6 months of shelf life remaining.
Yes, for qualified accounts. We require a business licence, two trade references, and a credit application. Approval takes 2–3 business days. Net-30 is available for orders over $500. Most Calgary and Toronto pizzerias are approved within 48 hours.
Yes. Caputo Chef's flour (red bag) is specifically designed for versatility across pizza, bread, and pasta. Pizzeria (blue) works for pasta but produces a more delicate noodle. For bread that needs structure, Chef's is the better choice. For fresh pasta, either works — Pizzeria gives a silkier texture, Chef's gives more bite.
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Where This Information Comes From
Primary sources. This guide draws on the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) international regulations, Caputo's published product specifications, and independent analysis from the Bakers Journal. Protein and W values are from Caputo's current packaging and published spec sheets.
Canadian context. Pricing and availability reflect current stock at ChickenPieces.com as of July 2026. Bulk discount tiers are live on the product pages. All products ship from our Calgary warehouse.
What this is not. This is a product information guide for pizza operators and home bakers, not a certification or regulatory opinion. Always verify flour specifications against the current bag label, as formulations can change.
AVPN — Flours: from 00 to whole wheat ↗ · AVPN Disciplinare 2024 ↗ · Bakers Journal ↗