How a Biscotto stone is made

How a Biscotto stone is made

🏺 1. Clay Sourced from the Sorrento/Naples Region

  • The clay is naturally rich in volcanic minerals, making it highly porous, heat-resistant, and moisture-absorbent.

  • It’s typically harvested from areas near Mount Vesuvius, which gives it unique thermal properties.

🌀 2. Hand Mixing and Shaping

  • The clay is hand-kneaded and mixed with sand and natural aggregates to improve durability and thermal stability.

  • Artisans shape each stone by hand, typically into circular or rectangular discs of varying thickness (commonly around 2–3 cm)

🌬️ 3. Air-Drying

  • Once shaped, the stone is slowly air-dried for several weeks.

  • This stage ensures that the clay loses moisture gradually, reducing the risk of cracks during firing.

🔥 4. Firing in Kilns

  • After drying, the stones are fired in traditional kilns at relatively low temperatures (compared to industrial ceramics).

  • This low-temperature firing preserves the porosity of the clay, which is critical for baking Neapolitan pizza — it helps absorb excess dough moisture and prevent burning.

🧪 5. Quality Control and Finishing

  • Each stone is checked for:

    • Even thickness

    • Cracks or weak spots

    • Smooth surface finish (though they typically retain a raw, rustic look)

🧠 What Makes Biscotto Special?

  • Absorbs moisture better than ceramic or steel

  • Prevents scorching at high temps (800–950°F)

  • Naturally balances heat for even, blistered crusts

  • Made without industrial additives or glazes

🛠️ Common Uses:

  • Used in wood-fired, gas and electric ovens, Effeuno / Ooni / Gozney / Alfa, and other high-temp pizza ovens.

  • The stone is essential in authentic Neapolitan pizza baking, where the pizza cooks in 60–120 seconds.

Video of our biscotto stones being made:

Explore our range of Biscotto Stones- SHOP