What Did The First Pizza Look Like?

The absolute oldest reference to the dish that resembles today’s pizza comes from the ancient Greece and Persia. They first came to idea of baking bread in round and flat shapes, with various toppings on top. The most popular toppings of that period were olive oil, spices, scented leaves, meat and even fruit.

How was pizza made in ancient Greece?

The dough would be cooked by placing it on a hot stone and then seasoned with herbs. The Greeks called this early pizza plankuntos and it was basically used as an edible plate when eating stews or thick broth. It was not yet what we would call pizza today but it was very much like modern focaccia.

Who invented pizza bread?

In Sardinia, French and Italian archaeologists have found bread baked over 7,000 years ago. According to Philippe Marinval, the local islanders leavened this bread. Foods similar to pizza have been made since antiquity. Records of people adding other ingredients to bread to make it more flavorful can be found throughout ancient history.

What did pizza originally look like?

Pizza evolved into a type of bread and tomato dish, often served with cheese. However, until the late 19th or early 20th century, the dish was sweet, not savory, and earlier versions which were savory more resembled the flat breads now known as schiacciata.

Who originally invented pizza?

Specifically, baker Raffaele Esposito from Naples is often given credit for making the first such pizza pie. Historians note, however, that street vendors in Naples sold flatbreads with toppings for many years before then. Legend has it that Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889.

Who ate the first ever pizza?

Pizza has a long history. Flatbreads with toppings were consumed by the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. (The latter ate a version with herbs and oil, similar to today’s focaccia.) But the modern birthplace of pizza is southwestern Italy’s Campania region, home to the city of Naples.

How was pizza originally eaten?

People have been eating pizza, in one form or another, for centuries. As far back as antiquity, pieces of flatbread, topped with savouries, served as a simple and tasty meal for those who could not afford plates, or who were on the go. These early pizzas appear in Virgil’s Aeneid.

Why is pizza called pizza?

Pizza could come from the Greek word “pitta” meaning “pie”, or the Langobardic word “bizzo” meaning “bite”. It was first recorded in a Latin text dated 997 in Italy and entered into an Italian-English dictionary in 1598 as “a small cake or wafer.”

Who invented spaghetti?

While some historians believe pasta originated in Italy, most are convinced Marco Polo actually brought it back from his epic voyage to China. The earliest known pasta was made from rice flour and was common in the east. In Italy, pasta was made from hard wheat and shaped into long strands.

Did pizza start in Italy?

Pizza was first invented in Naples, Italy as a fast, affordable, tasty meal for working-class Neapolitans on the go. While we all know and love these slices of today, pizza actually didn’t gain mass appeal until the 1940s, when immigrating Italians brought their classic slices to the United States.

Is pizza a pie?

a flat, open-faced baked pie of Italian origin, consisting of a thin layer of bread dough topped with spiced tomato sauce and cheese, often garnished with anchovies, sausage slices, mushrooms, etc. Also called pizza pie.

Who invented pepperoni pizza?

Contrary to popular belief, pepperoni was not invented in Italy. It was actually created by Italian immigrants in New York City in the early 1900s. No wonder it’s America’s most popular pizza topping!

Is there a pizza day?

National Pizza Day on February 9th celebrates one of America’s all-time favorite foods.

Who was the first pizza chain?

That’s right—Pizza Hut was the first chain pizza joint in America.

Who invented pizza Raffaele Esposito?

Raffaele Esposito was the most well-liked pizza maker in Naples and is credited with being the first person to make this pizza. Since it was so well-liked, he was called to make one of his infamous pizzas for the visit of King Umberto and Queen Margherita of Italy in the year of 1889.

Do Italians slice their pizza?

‘Italians cut their pizzas with fork and knife and then eat the slices with their hands. One reason is that pizza is served piping hot, too hot to rip apart with your hands.

Is pizza supposed to be eaten with fork and knife?

According to Eataly, the proper Italian way to eat pizza is with a fork and knife. They say that you’re supposed to use your fork and knife and start at the triangular tip of pizza, eventually working your way up to the crust.

Do Italians dip their pizza?

“I absolutely do not dip pizza crust. “In fact I don’t even eat the crust. Most Italians know the crust is just a handle to hold the pizza slice, therefore we leave it behind, on the side of the plate, in a neat pile. It’s a great way to keep track of how many pizza slices one’s eats, like a badge of honor.

First Pizzas and First Pizzerias

Although the origins of the earliest pizzas may be traced back to a distant European past, in the contemporary sense, pizzas and pizzerias are intimately associated with nineteenth-century Italy, which was the birthplace of all of the most significant pizza inventions.During the height of the ″pizza revolution″ in the 19th century, the pizza that we know today evolved from its predecessors, and pizzerias began to spring up all throughout Italy as a result of this development.The crucial work that was implemented by the visionary cooks of the Italian city of Naples was slowly transported to the United States via the Italian settlers, and it was not until the middle of the twentieth century that pizza began to make its way into the life of every American citizen.Within a short period of time, several prominent pizza chains were established, which collectively enabled pizza to proliferate throughout the whole world.The phrase ″fist pizza″ may be traced back to three separate periods in our country’s history and geography.The earliest known mention of a food that is similar to today’s pizza dates back to ancient Greece and Persia, and it is believed to have originated there.

They had the notion of making bread in round and flat forms, with various toppings on top, when they were younger.Olive oil, spices, fragrant leaves, meat, and even fruit were among the most popular toppings during that time period.The troops who fought under Darius the Great (521-486 B.C.) are responsible for the most noteworthy historical record of a pizza-shaped meal.

They frequently coated pizzas that were baked on their shields with cheese and dates, which was a common practice at the time.Despite the fact that the tradition of baking ″flat shaped″ bread has survived in several European nations, Italy has long been considered the birthplace of pizza.When tomatoes arrived from the New World, Italian cooks now had the last ingredient that would make pizza so popular – the world-famous tomato sauce – to use in their creations.

1. This historic event marked the beginning of the era known as the ″pizza revolution″ in the area surrounding the Italian city of Naples.
2. Cooks from that city were able to continually create and market this new and intriguing food to a populace that embraced their efforts and expressed gratitude for their efforts.
3. Slowly, but steadily, pizza’s popularity grew to the point that it was no longer sold from street kiosks but rather in dedicated pizza restaurants.
4. The ″Antica Pizza Port’Alba″ was the world’s first pizzeria, founded in 1830 in Naples, Italy.
5. This ancient institution is still in operation today, and it continues to serve a broad selection of classic Italian pizzas to customers.

The first pizza in its contemporary shape and form was made in 1889 by the hands of Raffaele Esposito, a well-known Naples baker who was also a chef.With its shape based on the Italian flag and toppings consisting of green basil leaves, white mozzarella, and red tomato sauce, Esposito’s Margherita pizza (named by the Queen of Italy and for which he created three showcase pizzas) quickly gained popularity throughout Italy and the rest of the world.The fact that this pizza is still the gold standard of all pizzas is a testament to its excellence.Gennaro Lombardi founded the first pizza in the United States in the early 1900s in New York City, and it was the country’s first pizzeria.

His restaurant, which was located in Little Italy, was converted into a pizza in 1904, and it remained in operation until it was shuttered in 1984.It is impossible to overestimate the significance of these very first pizzas and very first pizzerias.It was because of them that this wonderful cuisine was able to grow in the future.Eventually, in the 1950s, pizza began to make its way into the homes of every American.Soon after, numerous famous pizza restaurant franchises sprang up throughout the world, making pizza one of the most popular foods on the planet today.

History of Pizza – Learn the story of the traditional Italian pizza

The fact that one’s national cuisine has become an international sensation is something that only a few countries can claim.Pasta and, of course, pizza are two such foods that are popular in Italy.Both are well-known around the world, and both are important figures in the history of Italian cuisine.With this post, we’ll trace the history of pizza, starting with its origins and progressing to where it is today!

The history of Pizza

When it comes to pizza in America, there are typically two types to choose from: thick and cheesy Chicago style pizza and thin and more conventional New York style pizza.Pizza is also divided into two separate types in Italy: Italian pizza and pizza from the rest of the world.It may sound absurd when you contemplate the simple components, but one bite of a great Italian pizza will change your perspective.You will never have the same feelings about this simple and delectable dish ever again.Why don’t we study a little more about the history of pizza, shall we?With a long history in the Mediterranean, pizza, in its most basic form as a seasoned flatbread, has become popular.

Flatbread was eaten by several cultures, including the Greeks and the Phoenicians, and was prepared with wheat and water.After the dough has been fried on a hot stone and seasoned with herbs, the dish is ready to serve.It was known as plankuntos by the Greeks, and it was essentially used as an edible platter while consuming stews or broths in large quantities.

Although it was not yet what we would call pizza today, it was extremely similar to what we would call focaccia today.From Rome to Egypt to Babylon, these early pizzas were enjoyed by the ancient historians Herodotus and Cato the Elder, who commended them for their deliciousness.

The origin of pizza

So, let’s talk about the history of pizza…Pinsa, which means flatbread in Latin, is supposed to have been the source of the term ″pizza″ in English (although there is much debate about the origin of the word).According to mythology, when stationed in Roman-occupied Palestine, Roman soldiers developed a liking for Jewish Matzoth and later invented a dish that was similar to it when they returned home.A recent archeological find in the Veneto area, on the other hand, revealed a pizza from the Bronze Age that had been preserved.By the Middle Ages, these early pizzas had begun to take on a more contemporary appearance and flavor.The peasantry of the time made pizza dough out of whatever little ingredients they could get their hands on and covered it with olive oil and herbs, much like we do today.

The advent of the Indian Water Buffalo, which is responsible for the manufacture of mozzarella cheese, gave pizza a whole new dimension.Today, the usage of fresh mozzarella di buffalo on Italian pizza cannot be substituted for any other type of mozzarella.No Italian Pizzeria would ever utilize the dry shredded form of cheese that can be seen on so many American pizzas, even though other cheeses have made their way onto pizza (typically in combination with fresh mozzarella).

Tomatoes were first introduced to Italian cuisine in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and it was not until the 20th century that the truly contemporary Italian pizza was born.Despite the fact that tomatoes were introduced to Italy in the 1530s, it was commonly believed that they were toxic and should only be cultivated for ornamental purposes.However, the inventive (and most likely impoverished) peasants of Naples began using the purportedly lethal fruit into a variety of dishes, including the first pizzas.

1. In the years after that fateful day, the world of Italian cuisine would never be the same again; yet, it would take some time before the rest of society would embrace this unrefined peasant meal.
2. It wasn’t long until members of the local elite discovered pizza, which by this time was being sold on the streets of Naples for every meal.
3. As the popularity of pizza grew, street sellers were replaced by brick-and-mortar establishments where consumers could order a bespoke pizza with a variety of toppings.
4. It was in Naples, in 1830, that the ″Antica Pizza Port’Alba″ became the world’s first authentic pizzeria, and this ancient institution is still turning out masterpieces to this day.

More about the origin of pizza?

The renowned pizza Margherita is named after Queen Margherita of Italy, who paid a visit to the Pizzeria Brandi in Naples in 1889 and gave the dish its name.A special pizza for the Queen was produced by Rafaele Esposito, the Pizzaiolo (pizza maker) on duty that day, using the three colors of the new Italian flag as its inspiration.The combination of the red of the tomato, the white of the mozzarella, and the fresh green basil was a success with the Queen as well as the rest of the world.The popularity of Neapolitan-style pizza had now spread throughout Italy, and each area began creating its own variations on the theme of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which was a culinary norm in Italy.Neapolitan pizza is unique not just because of its historical significance in the cuisine, but also because it has held an EU STG accreditation since 2010, making it the only pizza in the world to possess this distinction.As a specialità tradizionale garantita (guaranteed traditional specialty), Neapolitan pizza, also known as Pizza Verace Napoletana (original Neapolitan pizza), is controlled and regulated by law in terms of both its ingredients and the way it is prepared and cut.

It can also be consumed only in specific locations that are designated as such by law.True enough, in order to qualify, a pizza verace napoletana must be consumed on the same premises where it was prepared, which implies that take-out pizzas no longer qualify under the STG.The STG certification provides consumers with the assurance that the product has its beginnings in the culinary history of a certain region and, even more importantly, that it has been manufactured in accordance with rules designed to preserve the authenticity of Neopolitan pizza.

Traditional Italian pizza

As we continue our exploration of the history of pizza, we should also consider the typical Italian pizza.Despite the fact that the Pizza Margherita is considered the classic, there are a plethora of popular pizza variations available in Italy today.In a pizzeria, pizza is baked to order in a circular form and is always cooked in a wood-fired oven, which is easily recognizable.Regional variations, such as pizza Marinara, a typical Neapolitan pizza flavored with oregano, anchovies, and plenty of garlic, are always worth experimenting with.Another typical Italian pizza is the Pizza Capricciosa, which is topped with mushrooms, prosciutto, artichoke hearts, olives, and a quarter of a cooked egg, among other ingredients.Pizza Pugliese is made with capers and olives from the region, whereas pizza Veronese is made with mushrooms and delicate prosciutto Crudo.

Pizzerias from Sicily can be topped with a variety of ingredients like green olives, shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, and peas, among others.Besides the many regional forms, there are a number of variants that are popular all across Italy.Quattro Formaggi employs a four-cheese mixture consisting of fresh mozzarella and three types of local cheeses such as gorgonzola, ricotta, and Parmigiano Reggiano, or stronger cheeses like as fontina or taleggio, depending on the region of Italy where the restaurant is located.

Another popular topping is Italian tuna marinated in olive oil, which is sometimes served alongside other marine delicacies like as anchovies, mussels, and shrimp.Quattro Stagioni is a typical Italian pizza that is comparable to the Capricciosa in flavor and appearance.A sampling pizza with artichokes, salami or Prosciutto Cotto, mushrooms, and tomatoes, it reflects the four seasons and provides a delicious appetizer.

1. In Liguria, it is possible to obtain pizza that is topped with basil pesto rather than tomato sauce.
2. Without a doubt, there are hundreds more to uncover, all of them are really tasty!

New Trends in Pizza and types of flatbread

• While there are many other forms of pizza and flatbreads that are highly popular in Italy, there is a long history of pizza that includes the classic Italian pizza and others that are not (and not just). Here are a few of the highlights! Pizza al taglio, also known as pizza rustica, is a type of flatbread that is sold by the pound across Italy. It is frequently topped with marinated mushrooms, onions, and artichokes. This type of pizza is commonly seen at street vendors, where it is baked on a sheet pan and serves as a fast meal. Focaccia is a traditional Ligurian dish that is distinguished by a foundation that is typically thicker than that of pizza and a topping of olive oil and rosemary. A variety of additional toppings can be added, with olives, caramelized onions, and cheese being among the most popular choices. Sfincione is a thick Sicilian sheet pizza made with tomato sauce, anchovies (typically anchovy paste), breadcrumbs, and caciocavallo (or another local variation) cheese. Sfincione is a traditional Sicilian dish that originated in the island of Sicily. The Italian calzone (which should come as no surprise!) is smaller than its American counterpart and is frequently loaded with either meat or fresh veggies (a spinach calzone is a favorite) and mozzarella. An emerging trend that is gaining popularity is the introduction of sweet pizzas, and traditional Italian pizzerias are adapting their menus to cater to this trend by including unusual ingredients into their recipes. These dessert pizzas frequently contain flavor combinations such as Nutella, honey, fruit jam, yogurt, and even mustard and whiskey, among other ingredients. When purchasing pizza in an Italian pizzeria, it’s important to remember that the food is served in personal-sized portions. Each participant at a table should get their own personalized pizza – one slice will explain why this is so important to them. In other parts of the world, there are a few pizzaiolos that try to maintain their homeland traditions as best they can with the ingredients they have available, but the taste isn’t quite the same as in Italy. After you’ve tried a real Italian pizza, there’s no turning back
• no delivery service or frozen product will ever be able to thrill your taste receptors in the same way as a real Italian pizza can! These are some of the most important aspects of the history of pizza, as well as the classic Italian pizza and the other variations of pizza available. We hope you are ready to taste and fall in love with us. Written by Justin Demetri See also: How to make pizza at home
• Pizza Margherita is 120 years old
• Pizza Margherita is 120 years old
• How to make pizza at home
• How to make pizza at home.
• The history of Italian cuisine

Note: After receiving a comment stating that in Napoli, pizza Margherita is cooked using Fior Di Latte (Cow Mozzarella) rather than Buffala mozzarella, I conducted some investigation and discovered that the reader was incorrect.L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, one of the most well-known Neapolitan pizzerias, makes use of buffalo mozzarella, as I think all of them do.Buffalo mozzarella originates from the Naples region, and it has long been regarded better than Fior di Latte, so I don’t see how they could do differently.

A History of Pizza

Pizza is the most popular fast food in the world.It’s something we eat everywhere — at home, at restaurants, and on the street.In the United States alone, around three billion pizzas are sold each year, with an average of 46 pieces sold each person.Nevertheless, the narrative of how the modest pizza grew to enjoy such worldwide supremacy provides valuable insights into the history of migration, economics, and technological transformation.People have been eating pizza, in one form or another, for hundreds of years now.Pieces of flatbread, topped with a variety of savory ingredients, have been served as a simple and delicious meal for those who could not buy plates or who were on the road since antiquity.

The Aeneid contains a description of these early pizzas.Just a short time after landing in Latium, Aeneas and his companions took shelter beneath a tree and spread out ‘thin wheaten cakes as plates for their lunch’.They then strewn them with mushrooms and plants they had discovered in the woods and guzzled them down, crust and all, leading Aeneas’ son Ascanius to scream, ″Look!

There’s something there!″ ″We’ve even finished our dinner dishes!″ However, it was in Naples in the late 18th century when the pizza as we know it today was first created.Naples had grown to become one of the most populous towns in Europe during the reign of the Bourbon rulers, and it was expanding at a rapid pace.The city’s population increased from 200,000 in 1700 to 399,000 in 1748, thanks to the growth of international trade and a continual influx of peasants from the countryside.

1. As the urban economy struggled to keep up with the speed of development, an increasing percentage of the city’s residents slipped into poverty.
2. The most destitute of these were known as lazzaroni, so named because their tattered appearance reminded people of the character Lazarus.
3. In their thousands, they struggled to make ends meet on the little wages they received as porters, couriers, and temporary workers.
4. Because they were constantly on the move in search of job, they required food that was both inexpensive and simple to prepare.
5. Pizzas satisfied this requirement.

They would be sliced to fit the customer’s budget or hunger because they would not be sold in stores, but rather by street sellers who would carry big boxes under their arms.According to Alexandre Dumas’s novel Le Corricolo (1843), a two-liard piece of bread would constitute a satisfying breakfast, while two sous would purchase a pizza large enough to feed a family of four.None of them were very difficult to understand.Although they were comparable to Virgil’s flatbreads in some ways, they were now distinguished by the use of affordable, readily available ingredients that were packed with flavor.

They were topped with nothing but garlic, fat, and salt for the most basic of dishes.Some of the other options were caciocavallo (a cheese derived from horse’s milk), cecenielli (whitebait), and basil, among others.Some even had tomatoes strewn across the top.The fact that they were only recently brought from the Americas meant that they were still considered a novelty and were looked down upon by modern gourmets.However, it was their lack of popularity – and, as a result, their low price – that made them so appealing.For a long time, pizzas were derided by culinary critics and food writers.

As a result of their association with the grinding poverty of the lazzaroni, they were widely derided as ‘disgusting,’ especially by tourists from other countries.Inventor Samuel Morse described pizza as a’species of the most nauseating cake…covered over with slices of pomodoro or tomatoes, and sprinkled with little fish and black pepper and I know not what other ingredients, it altogether looks like a piece of bread that has been dragged out of the sewer reeking of fish’ in 1831.When the first recipes were published in the late nineteenth century, pizza was conspicuously absent from the pages.Many people, including those who were committed to Neapolitan food, were embarrassed to discuss it – despite the fact that steady improvement in the lazzaroni’s social standing had driven the establishment of the first pizza restaurants.All of that altered as a result of the unification of Italy.

King Umberto I and Queen Margherita became bored of the elaborate French cuisine that were given to them for breakfast, lunch, and supper while on a visit to Naples in 1889, and they decided to leave.In response to a last-minute request to produce some local delicacies for the queen, the pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito prepared three different types of pizza: one with lard, caciocavallo, and basil; another with cecenielli; and a third with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil (see photo).The queen expressed her happiness.Her favorite, the last of the three, was given the name ″pizza margherita″ in her honor, as was the other two.This signaled a significant paradigm change.

It was Margherita’s mark of approval that not only lifted pizza from being a cuisine suited just for lazzaroni to being something appropriate for a royal family, but it also converted pizza from a regional dish into something that was really national in scope.It established the concept that pizza was a true Italian meal, on par with spaghetti and polenta, in the minds of the public.Despite this, pizza took a long time to spread outside of Naples.Migration supplied the first impetus for the project.Beginning in the 1930s, an increasing number of Neapolitans went northward in search of work, bringing their cuisine with them to the new horizons.

This trend was increased as a result of the conflict.When the Allies invaded Italy in 1943-4, they were so captivated with the pizza they discovered in Campania that they insisted on having it served to them everywhere they went.Although pizza’s place as an authentically Italian meal was cemented by tourism during the postwar period, which was made possible by the lower cost of travel during that period.

Pizza grew increasingly popular as tourists got more interested in Italian cuisine, and restaurants all across the peninsula began to offer more regional specialties, including pizza.At initially, the quality was inconsistent since not every restaurant was equipped with a pizza oven.Despite this, pizza rapidly became popular throughout Italy.The company expanded its product line as a result, introducing additional ingredients in response to local preferences and the higher costs that customers were now ready to pay.

However, it was in the United States that pizza gained a second home.By the end of the nineteenth century, Italian immigration had already reached the East Coast, and the first pizzeria – Lombardi’s – opened its doors in New York City in 1905, marking the beginning of the American pizza industry.Pizza quickly established itself as a national institution in the United States.When it began to spread across the country in tandem with the rapid speed of urbanization, it was swiftly adopted by ambitious restaurateurs (many of whom were not of Italian descent) and changed to suit local preferences, identities, and requirements.

• Ike Sewell, a Texan who moved to Chicago shortly after the United States entered World War II, attempted to attract new customers to his newly opened pizzeria by offering a much ‘heartier’ version of the dish, complete with a deeper, thicker crust and richer, more abundant toppings – usually with cheese at the bottom and a mountain of chunky tomato sauce heaped on top of it.
• The Rocky Mountain Pie, which originated in Colorado at the same period, was also produced.
• Even while it did not have a crust as thick as its Chicago counterpart, it did have a significantly broader one, which was intended to be served as a dessert with honey.
• Of time, they were even joined by a Hawaiian variant, which was topped with ham and pineapple, much to the consternation of the locals in Neapolis.
• From the 1950s onward, the tremendous rate of economic and technical progress in the United States resulted in an even more fundamental transformation of the pizza.
• There have been two significant modifications.

• One of the first was the ‘domestication’ of the pizza pie.
• The invention of the frozen pizza was spurred on by the rise in disposable incomes, which resulted in the proliferation of refrigerators and freezers, as well as an increase in the desire for ‘convenience’ meals.
• Because it was intended to be brought home and prepared at the customer’s leisure, modifications to the recipe were necessary.
• A smooth tomato paste was used to cover the foundation rather than the traditional big chunks of tomato, which helped to keep the dough from drying out during the baking process.

• New cheeses were also created to survive freezing, which were then used to cover the top of the pizza.
• It was the ‘commercialization’ of pizza that brought about the second alteration.
• The increasing availability of automobiles and motorbikes made it feasible to transport freshly prepared meals to clients’ doorsteps – and pizza was among the first foods to be offered.
• In 1960, Tom and James Monaghan established ‘Dominik’s’ in Michigan and, after establishing a reputation for prompt delivery, expanded their firm – which they renamed ‘Domino’s’ – throughout the United States and into Canada.
• They and their rivals have developed internationally to the point that there is now hardly a city on the planet where they are not to be found.

• Contrary to expectations, the result of these modifications was that pizza became both more standardized and more sensitive to variance.
• Even as the basic structure of the pizza remained the same (a dough base topped with thin layers of tomato and cheese), the need to satisfy customers’ desire for novelty led to the development of ever more elaborate varieties, such that Pizza Hut in Poland now sells a spicy ‘Indian’ version and Domino’s in Japan has developed a ‘Elvis’ pizza, which has just about everything on it.
• Today’s pizzas are a long cry from the lazzaroni’s creations, and many pizza purists – particularly in Naples – are aghast at some of the more bizarre toppings that are now available.
• Even so, pizza is still recognisable as pizza, and it contains the imprint of centuries of social, economic, and technical development baked into every piece.
• A marinara pizza recipe is provided.

Alexander Lee is a fellow at the University of Warwick’s Centre for the Study of the Renaissance.He has a background in history.Humanism and Empire: The Imperial Ideal in Fourteenth-Century Italy, his most recent work, is published by Oxford University Press.

Who Invented Pizza?

Pizza has a long and illustrious history.Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks all ate flatbreads with a variety of fillings and toppings.A variant with herbs and oil was served to the latter, which was comparable to today’s focaccia.) However, the current birthplace of pizza is the Campania area in southwestern Italy, which is home to the city of Naples.Naples, which was founded as a Greek village around 600 B.C., was a prosperous beachfront city in the 1700s and early 1800s, and it is still so today.Although it was technically an autonomous kingdom, it was infamous for the swarms of laboring poor, known as lazzaroni.As Carol Helstosky, co-author of Pizza: A Global History and an associate professor of history at the University of Denver, explains, ″the closer you got to the bay, the more dense their population was.

And much of their living was done outdoors, sometimes in homes that were little more than a room.″ These Neapolitans required food that was economical and could be devoured in a short period of time.Pizza, which are flatbreads with a variety of toppings that can be eaten for any meal and are offered by street vendors or casual restaurants, filled this void perfectly.″Judgmental Italian authors frequently referred to their eating habits as ‘disgusting,’″ according to Helstosky.

The delectable toppings that are still popular today, like as tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and garlic, were originally found on the pizzas devoured by the poor of Naples.WATCH: Full episodes of The Food That Built America are available to stream right now.New episodes of HISTORY air on Sundays at 9 p.m.

1. and 8 p.m.
2. ET.
3. King Umberto I and Queen Margherita paid a state visit to Naples in 1889, following the unification of Italy in 1861.
4. According to legend, the traveling couple grew dissatisfied with their continuous diet of French gourmet cuisine and requested a selection of pizzas from the city’s Pizzeria Brandi, which was created in 1760 and is the successor of Da Pietro pizzeria.
5. The pizza mozzarella kind was the one that the queen preferred the most; it was a pie covered with soft white cheese, red tomatoes, and green basil.

In fact, it’s possible that it wasn’t a coincidence that her favorite pie was decorated in the colors of the Italian national flag.According to legend, that particular topping combination became known as ″pizza Margherita″ from that point on.The blessing of Queen Margherita might have marked the beginning of an Italian pizza obsession that would spread throughout the country.However, pizza would not become widely popular in Italy until the 1940s, when it spread beyond the confines of Naples.

However, thousands of miles away, immigrants to the United States from Naples began reproducing their dependable, crusty pizzas in New York and other American cities, including Trenton, New Haven, Boston, Chicago, and St.Louis, as well as in other parts of the world.The Neapolitans, like millions of other Europeans in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, were not looking to make a gastronomic statement; rather, they were looking for manufacturing employment.However, non-Neapolitans and non-Italians began to be intrigued by the smells and scents of pizza quite rapidly after its introduction.One of the earliest known pizzerias in the United States was G.(for Gennaro) Lombardi’s on Spring Street in Manhattan, which was granted a license to serve pizza in 1905.

In the past, the meal had either been produced from scratch or sold by illegal vendors.Lombardi’s, which is still in business today after being relocated from its original location in 1905, ″has the same oven as it did originally,″ according to culinary critic John Mariani, author of How Italian Food Conquered the World (How Italian Food Conquered the World).MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: Meet the Long-Lost Father of New York City PizzaAs every pizza enthusiast knows, heated debates about whose slice is the best in town often ensue.Mariani, on the other hand, credited three East Coast pizzerias for keeping the century-old tradition alive: Totonno’s (Coney Island, Brooklyn, launched in 1924); Mario’s (Arthur Avenue, the Bronx, opened in 1919); and Pepe’s (New York City, inaugurated in 1924).(New Haven, opened 1925).Because of the large influx of Italian-Americans and their food as they moved from city to suburb, east to west, particularly after World War II, pizza’s popularity in the United States increased dramatically.

No longer considered a ″ethnic″ treat, it has increasingly been characterized as a quick and enjoyable meal.Regional, clearly non-Neapolitan variants arose, eventually resulting in California-style gourmet pizzas topped with everything from grilled chicken to smoked salmon, among other ingredients.Pizza made after World War II eventually made its way to Italy and beyond.″Pizza, like blue jeans and rock and roll, was adopted by the rest of the world, including the Italians, simply because it originated in the United States,″ argues Mariani.There are around 60 different nations where foreign branches of American franchises such as Domino’s and Pizza Hut operate today.

As a reflection of regional preferences, worldwide pizza toppings might range from Gouda cheese in Curaçao to hardboiled eggs in Brazil, among other things.WATCH: Full episodes of The Food That Built America are available to stream right now.

History of Pizza: Where, When & Who Invented Pizza

Whether you’re cooking it for yourself or for a loved one after a night on the town with pals, it’s the perfect Sunday dinner for any family that wants to spend the weekend at home together. Historians believe that Hawaiian, Margherita, Pepperoni, and Veggie pizzas were first served hundreds of years ago. They are among the world’s most popular fast foods.

Where and When Was Pizza Invented?

Historically, historians think that the term ″pizza″ comes from Italian and Greek literature.Pizza may have been first mentioned in a Latin text written in a tiny Italian village, according to some historians.The concept of flatbreads with a variety of toppings is not a completely novel one.It dates back hundreds of years to the time when the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians consumed their bread in this manner.

1. It was baked on hot stones or in mud ovens, and then the flatbread was topped with various ingredients like as herbs and mushrooms, which were then baked on the flatbread.
2. An amazing discovery was a record of how troops prepared flatbreads in ancient Persia, which was rather interesting.
3. Their shields served as ovens for them.
4. In fact, a Roman poet who lived in the first century B.C.
5. was discovered to have spoken about circles of bread that were considered to resemble pizza.
6. Pinsa was cooked over hot ashes in ancient Rome, and it is the dish that is most similar to modern-day pizza.

Years later, in the 18th century, the town of Naples, Italy, would become the birthplace of pizza.Pizza was not always considered to be the delicacy that it is today.Because it was inexpensive, the people of Naples ate pizza, which was simply a flatbread with toppings, back in those days.Why?They were impoverished, and this was the best they could do.They couldn’t go to work on an empty stomach, and it was common to see them chewing on these slices as they made their way to work.

• At the time, this poor man’s dish was not available for purchase in any stores.
• No.
• Only street vendors would transport them around, chopping them into pieces as little as a buyer’s budget would allow.
• According to their budget, the producers would use only the bare minimum of toppings, sometimes simply garlic and two other ingredients to fulfill the needs of their customers.

This meal was so despised that hardly one wanted to write about it in the first place.Those that were interested in writing about it had nothing positive to say.Several others used derogatory terms to describe it, such as ″disgusting.″ Italy gave tomatoes to the world with this ″modern″ pizza of the 18th century, giving it its distinctive flavor that has become a favorite.The intriguing part about this is that people used to believe tomatoes were harmful back then.However, after demonstrating that tomatoes were safe to consume, the United States began exporting large quantities of tomatoes to Europe, encouraging people to use them as toppings.

Furthermore, the tomatoes came in useful because of their low cost and the fact that they did not take much culinary expertise to prepare.

Who Invented Pizza?

Pizza’s meteoric rise to renown coincided with the unification of Italy, as if to further cement a fusion of cultures.During their visit to Naples, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita were determined to have an authentic Italian cuisine while there.They needed to take a vacation from their typical French fare to recharge their batteries.According to legend, Italian Raffaele Esposito was the first person to create the world’s most exquisite pizza.

1. He worked his magic at the Pizzeria di Pietro, where he was employed.
2. It is fair to assume that it was commissioned by the royal family.
3. In 1889, the queen paid a visit to the city of Naples.
4. Raffaele was told to prepare the signature dish in her honor by the group’s leaders.
5. Queen Margherita would get her dish, which would be presented in the form of several sorts of pizza.
6. She is said to have given each slice of the finger-licking bliss a thumbs-up after trying each one individually.

Her favorite pizza was one with components that were colored in the colors of the Italian flag.The pizza was named after her in Italy.If this certification is granted, it will be the beginning of an improved reputation for pizza.That a queen could eat cuisine yet was believed to be for the poor, and that it tasted authentically Italian, spoke a lot about this dish.Pizza became popular, and Italians adopted it as their own, placing it on par with their beloved pasta in terms of popularity.Naples, on the other hand, did not have its first pizzeria until 1830, when the Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba opened its doors.

• Pizza’s renown had not yet extended beyond of Italy’s boundaries, since the dish had remained within the country’s borders.
• The lack of recognition existed until tourists visiting Italy inquired about the food of the region.
• They were offered pizza by the bakers.
• As a result, this fast-food restaurant has taken even another step forward.

Pizza marinara is a particularly noteworthy dish since it was among the dishes sought after by travelers who had heard about its deliciousness.It was frequently prepared by seamen’s wives and topped with oregano, garlic, and tomatoes.Because chefs began experimenting with a larger range of toppings, the delicacy’s appeal increased at the expense of the consumer, who was forced to pay more for the delicacy.The popularity of pizza increased to such an extent that Italians began to eat it at every meal.By the end of the nineteenth century, the couple had discovered their newfound love.

Who were some of the individuals who savored this mouthwatering taste of divine goodness?Veterans from World War II.When it comes to spreading the word about the importance of Italian pizza, the Italians might as well use troops to do the advertising for them.

1. Immigrants who brought the narrative of pizza to the United States were among the other spreaders of the gospel.
2. Soon, the cuisine was no longer seen as a poor man’s delicacy or an Italian-only treat, and the rest of America began to accept it on a more widespread basis.
3. Pizza was sold on the streets by Italian immigrants who were proud of their heritage.
4. As pizza got increasingly popular, people began to congregate at pizzerias to converse and eat.
5. When Gennaro Lombardi decided to create the first restaurant dedicated to this delicacy in North America in 1905, the world got a taste of what it was like to be an American.
6. Lombardi was the first person in the United States to be granted permission to bake the dish.

The popularity of the dish was attributed to street sellers who would sell chunks that were kept hot in charcoal-filled drums while they were being sold.After Lombardi’s death, these eateries would spread throughout the United States, with Ric Riccardo Sr.continuing in his footsteps.He, on the other hand, began with a deep-dish pizza.

In 1945, it was Ira Nevin who made life a little simpler for pizza makers.It was because to his innovation of a gas-fired pizza oven that the exorbitant expense and hassle of utilizing wood or charcoal were eliminated.The 1950s were a prosperous period for this pie, since the first branch of the world’s largest chain of pizza restaurants was established.The 1950s also saw the introduction of pizza franchises, the first of which was Pizza Hut in 1958.Little Caesar’s followed in 1959, and Domino’s joined the battle a year later in 1960.At some point in the 1950s, someone realized that it was necessary to extend the shelf life of pizza and began freezing it in order to do this.

In response, supermarkets began offering frozen pizza in their shelves.Of course, at this time, people were making more money and could purchase refrigerators and freezers, which meant they could also keep some pizza for later use in the house.Americans also became a busy populace as the economy changed and fast food became the craze of the day.People were increasingly looking for convenience meals, and in order to accommodate this new demand for pizza that could be kept for extended periods of time, bakers began substituting tomato paste for fresh tomatoes.Men from World War II who wanted to recreate their days of eating pizza in Europe were not the only ones to credit for the widespread availability of the delectable dish.Celebrities with Italian ancestry, such as Jimmy Durante, had a role in the campaign as well.

Additionally, the availability of automobiles expanded, and restaurants were able to transport pizza to customers’ houses.Because of their quick delivery times, Domino’s, previously known as Dominik’s, quickly became a favorite among customers.Pizza delivery has become such a routine occurrence that even the United States Army has taken use of it, but not for food delivery.According to records, America dispatched men disguised as fictitious delivery men.

• Americans made pizza their second home, and when new cities sprang up, the need for fast food increased as well.
• The bakers made a few minor adjustments to make it more appealing to the tastes of the new American market.
• Chicago style pizza was created around this period, and it is distinguished by its deeper, more chunky crust.
• After then, Colorado received the Rocky Mountain Pie.
• Its devotees would relish it when served with honey.

During the 1990s, Kraft made a significant discovery.In his research, he discovered the first self-rising crust.Neapolitans did receive distinction for being the contemporary origin of pizza when the European Union determined in 2009 that their cuisine was a part of the European Cultural Heritage.According to the verdict, anybody wishing to manufacture a genuine Neopolitan pizza must adhere to certain guidelines in order to prevent distorting the original art of pizza-making.

1. To top it all off, the globe was treated to a sighting of the world’s largest pizza in 2012, which was more than 1,260 square meters in size.
2. Today, more than 70,000 pizzerias in the United States serve the delicacy, which is also popular across the world.

Summary

Despite the fact that pizza has a lengthy and convoluted history that dates back to ancient Greece and has spread over the world, it is really a favorite of the majority of people.Every slice contains a wealth of information about different sections of the world’s history.The social, economic, and cultural contexts of pizza are baked into its deliciousness.Over time, the toppings have evolved to reflect the diverse cultures of the world that have influenced them.

1. In spite of the fact that bakers from all over the world are now creating custom-made pizzas, the bottom line has remained same.
2. Every good pizza has a crust that binds it all together and keeps it from falling apart.

Who Invented Pizza?

ARTS & CULTURE— Food

Have You Ever Wondered.

• Who was the inventor of pizza?
• How long has pizza been in existence?
• What was the location of the first pizza in the United States?

Mykah from Allison, Texas, provided the inspiration for today’s Wonder of the Day.″Can you tell me who developed pizza?″ Mykah wonders.Thank you for joining us in our WONDERING, Mykah!Mmmm…can you detect a scent?

1. A hot pie rests on the counter, fresh from the oven and ready to be devoured.
2. The fragrance of heated bread, melting cheese, and boiling tomato sauce fills the air, enveloping your senses completely.
3. Are you ready to tuck into your favorite of all foods?
4. Are you ready to plunge in?
5. What exactly are we discussing?
6. Of course, we’re talking about pizza!

Some children enjoy meat, while others do not.Some children enjoy veggies, while others avoid them at all costs.Some children like seafood, while others believe that fish should be left in the water.But there is one thing that almost all children can agree on: pizza is fantastic!What is the origin of this widely acclaimed dish?Pizza is frequently associated with Italian cuisine.

• Do the Italians, on the other hand, receive the credit?
• Alternatively, did someone else create the first pizza?
• There isn’t a simple answer here.
• Different historians have come up with different conclusions.

A great deal relies on your definition of ″pizza.″ Do you conceive of pizza as a flatbread that has been baked in a brick oven?If this is the case, its origins can be traced back to ancient periods in the Middle East.Flat bread was eaten by the ancient Babylonians, Israelites, and Egyptians, all of whom baked it in mud ovens.Do you believe that a pizza must have toppings to be considered complete?In such instance, it may be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, among other civilizations.

They both ate flatbreads that had been prepared and were covered with olive oil and spices.This dish is now referred to as focaccia bread.What about the type of pizza that most people are familiar with?

1. Those pizzas with tomato sauce, cheese, and various toppings, you know the ones.
2. That did begin in Italy, to be sure.
3. In particular, baker Raffaele Esposito from Naples is frequently credited with creating the world’s first pizza pie.
4. However, historians point out that street sellers in Naples had been selling flatbreads with toppings for many years before to it.
5. According to legend, the Italian King Umberto I and his wife, Queen Margherita, paid a visit to Naples in 1889.
6. Esposito was summoned to the location and requested to prepare a pizza for them.

Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil were strewn on the top of the pizza.That particular pizza is still referred to as Pizza Margherita today.Immigrants from Italy carried pizza with them when they settled in Spain, France, England, and the United States.However, it did not receive widespread acceptance until after World War II.

It was at this point when returning soldiers began looking for the meals they had grown to like while serving overseas.The first pizza in the United States, G.Lombardi’s, opened its doors in 1905.Gennaro Lombardi was the property’s owner.In New York City, he launched his restaurant at 53 1/3 Spring Street, which is now closed.It is still in operation today, with the same oven continuing in use, albeit in a different location.

As of today, pizza is one of the most widely consumed foods in the United States as well as around the entire world.Do you eat pizza on a regular basis?What are some of your favorite accoutrements?Do you believe that toppings such as pineapple should be included on pizza?Everyone has their own set of tastes and interests!Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and National Council for the Social Studies″>Standards: C3.D2.His.2, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.SL.2, CCRA.SL.3, CCRA.SL.6, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.SL.2, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.SL.2, CCRA.

Wonder What’s Next?

Are you prepared to stick it out for the long haul? Prepare yourself by loading up on carbs and drinking plenty of fluids before you hit the road. It’s possible that today’s Wonder of the Day will exhaust you…

Try It Out

• Mmmm! Are you starting to feel hungry? Take part in the following activities with a friend or family member and sink your teeth into them: Make a trip to your local food shop or supermarket with your class. What is the number of different sorts of pizza that you can find? You undoubtedly already know that pizza is one of the most popular dishes in the world, but did you understand just how widespread its popularity is? Keep an eye out for frozen foods and pasta sections where you may locate boxes of homemade pizza mix if you’re on the hunt for pizzas. However, you might be able to buy pizzas in the meat department, which is also where portable lunch-sized meals are available. In addition, you may frequently buy prepared, ready-to-eat pizzas in the deli sections of supermarkets. How many different sorts of pizzas did you come across in total?
• What toppings would you put on your ultimate pizza? Do you want some extra cheese? Pepperoni? Sausage? Onions? Peppers? Mushrooms? Take some time to plan out the perfect pizza, starting with the crust and working your way up. Do you have a preference for crust type? Is it better to be thick or thin? Fillings of cheese, herbs, and spices, or something else entirely? After that, think about the sauce you’d want to use. Do you want something hot and spicy? Is it sour or sweet? What do you think of the cheese? Is it possible to consume too much cheese? What sort of cheeses would you put on your pizza if you were making it? Mozzarella? Parmesan? Something a little more original? Finally, add your choice meats and veggies on the top of your pizza. Finished! When you’ve completed drawing the perfect pizza pie, show it to a trusted adult friend or family member and ask them to assist you in turning your vision into a handmade reality hot from the oven. Schedule time for you and your friends to bake pizza together, and then get to work.
• Have you ever been to a restaurant and watched a pizza being made? Instruct an adult friend or family member to assist you in locating a nearby pizzeria that would be willing to allow you to have a close-up look at the process of producing pizza from scratch. Possibly, you’ll be able to provide a hand in the process, as well! There’s nothing quite like getting your hands dirty and doing everything yourself, from mixing the dough to sliding the pizza into the oven. What’s more, the finest thing is. When it’s finished, you’ll be able to sample your labor of love.

Wonder Sources

• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)
• (accessed 25 June 2019)

Wonder Contributors

Please accept our thanks for the questions you sent concerning today’s Wonder subject from Kylee, Emma, Rosa mae, Gloria, and Mailee. Continue to WONDER with us! What exactly are you puzzling over?

How Did Pizza Get It’s Name: A Brief History

Which one is your favorite?What do you mean, New York-style?Is there a deep-dish restaurant in Chicago?Do you like a thick crust or a hand-tossed crust?

1. Do you want some extra cheese?
2. Alternatively, you could be a fan of wood-fired pizza, like I am.
3. Whatever type of pizza you favor, we can all agree that pizza is a fantastic food.
4. In fact, it is so widely adored around the world that several different countries claim to have been the first to create a genuine pizza.
5. What is the origin of the term ″pizza″?
6. Pizza may have sprung from the Greek word ″pitta,″ which means ″pie,″ or from the Langobardic word ″bizzo,″ which means ″bite.″ It was first mentioned in a Latin document from 997 in Italy, and it was first included in an Italian-English dictionary in 1598, when it was defined as ″a tiny cake or wafer.″ We’ll go through some interesting facts about the history of pizza that you might not have known before today.

But, before we get into the exciting facts, let’s talk about the history of pizza and how it came to be invented.

The Origins of the Word Pizza

It was not until the early 1800s that the term ″pizza″ became popular among English speakers.Nevertheless, an early English lexicographer, John Florio, included the term pizza into the 1598 Italian-English dictionary even earlier than the Italian-English dictionary.″A little cake or wafer,″ according to the terminology of the time.According to a Latin letter dating back to 997 AD, the earliest recorded use of the term ″pizza″ was in a statement that the bishop of the Italian town Gaeta was to receive duodecim pizze or ″twelve pizzas″ on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, respectively.

1. We all know that the term pizza originates in Italy, but the word’s more in-depth roots are a little less clear.
2. When asked where exactly pizza originated, different historians will provide different explanations.
3. It also depends on what you consider to be a pizza.
4. Some individuals claim that the term ″pizza″ derives from the Greek word pitta, which literally translates as ″pie.″ Others claim that it derives from the Langobardic language, which is an old German language spoken in northern Italy and is descended from the Germanic language family.
5. In Langobardic, the term bizzo literally translates as ″bite.″ If you define pizza as a flat bread baked in an oven, then the Babylonians, Israelites, and Egyptians who arrived from the Middle East should be given credit for the invention of pizza since they ate flatbread baked in mud ovens, which is how the dish got its name.
6. As long as you describe pizza as bread with toppings, the Romans and the Greeks should be credited with inventing the dish, according to this definition.

The Romans and Greeks consumed bread that had been topped with olive oil and herbs.This meal is now referred to as Focaccia bread.

Who Made the First Pizza?

The majority of historians believe that the Italians were responsible for the origin of modern-day pizza.Baked bread with additional toppings, on the other hand, may be found in the forebears of many different cuisines.Many people are more familiar with the Italian variety of pizza, namely pizza from Naples, than with any other type of pizza.However, the pissaladiere of Provence, the coca of Catalonia, and the lahmacun of the Middle East are all extremely similar to pizza.

1. Raffaele Esposito, a baker from Naples, is credited with introducing the world the modern-day pizza, according to mythology.
2. A pizza was cooked in honor of King Umberto and Queen Margherita in 1889, when they paid a visit to the city of Neapolis.
3. It was mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil on top of the pizza he had baked for us.
4. He was attempting to incorporate the colors of the Italian flag into his design.
5. The pizza was claimed to have been a huge hit with the Queen Margherita herself.
6. As a result, it came to be known as Margherita pizza.

Pizza was first sold in the United States by Italian immigrants who arrived in the country from Italy.In 1905, Gennaro Lombardi launched Lombardi’s, the world’s first pizzeria, in New York City’s Times Square.After World War II, the United States of America began to go completely insane over pizza.While stationed in Italy, American soldiers were given the opportunity to sample pizza.In addition, when they returned home, they carried their appetite for it along with them.

Different Kinds of Pizza from Around the World

It is possible that people will argue about which country should truly be credited with the origin of pizza.One thing is undeniable, though.Pizza is a dish that people all around the world enjoy!True or not, you can get some kind of pizza in virtually every country on the planet.

1. Since the Neolithic era, pizza-like foods have been served in a variety of settings around the world.
2. Flatbread and oven-baked bread with a variety of toppings are quite popular all over the world!

Lahma Bi Ajeen

The Lebanese are the creators of this delectable variation on the classic pizza.Various names are used in various regions of the Middle East to refer to this phenomenon.The phrase ″meat with dough″ translates as ″meat with dough.″ Lamb, minced onions, cumin, and yogurt are commonly used in the preparation of this meal.This one is a must-try for any foodie.

1. I can’t describe how delicious it is.

Calzone

Calzones are yet another delectable pizza variation that originates in the country of Italy. Calzone is an Italian word that literally translates as ″stocking.″ In the shape of a semicircle turnover, the dish is served. Pizza dough is used, and it is folded over before being stuffed with the standard pizza components.

Stromboli

Calzones and strombolis are frequently confused as being the same thing, which is a common misconception.However, they are two distinct foods that are onl