A Slice of Pizza History

Pizza! Our nearest and dearest friend with an impressive resumé that spans centuries. We all eat it, but no one ever really puts any thought into how it all came to be.

The origins of pizza can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. Way, WAY back, as in Neolithic times. People of that era created the beginnings of flatbread (far different than we know today). While it wasn’t really “pizza”, it was the basic foundation for what would come later.

A few centuries into the future, ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks all had their own versions of flatbread which was a primary staple of their diets. The Egyptians topped their dough herbs and oils. The Greeks later added things like herbs, and spices, while the Romans can be credited with adding additional toppings such as honey and local cheese to a bread that was similar to focaccia.

Naples, Italy is known as the true birthplace of pizza as we know it today. Although “pizza” had been around Italy for a while (the first documented use of the word was in 997 AD), it didn’t hit the mainstream until 1889, when the original Italian pizza influencer, Queen Margherita of Savoy, was served a pizza adorned with tomato, mozzarella, and basil (representing the colors of the Italian flag). This meal gave birth to the Margherita pizza—a dish fit for royalty which would later become an eternal favorite among modern-day pizza enthusiasts.

During those years of the late 1800s, pizza was a very popular street food in the port city of Naples where hungry dock workers needed fast, easy food that would fill them up. Pizza understandably became the go-to meal for much of the population. The delicious recipes spread across the world when Italian immigrants started to bring their culinary genius to the United States. The additions of mozzarella and other simple toppings made pizza an instant hit in places like New York City, where these immigrants shared the traditions of the old world with a new audience. Soon after, hundreds of street vendors were flinging dough and slinging sauce like they were auditioning for a food-themed circus. The very first pizzeria, Lombardi’s, opened its doors in 1905 in New York City. The popularity of the food, and Lombardi’s, led to countless more pizza parlors opening their doors to feed the hungry masses.

Pizza was quite popular in the early 1900’s, but the real boom wasn’t until after World War 2 when American soldiers came back from Italy with a craving for the most delicious food ever – pizza. The 1950’s saw a major increase in pizzarias opening across the United States, which led to the variety of toppings and regional styles we all enjoy today.

The next time you indulge in a slice of this savory delight, remember its twisted path through history—fueled by innovation, immigration, and a dash of royal flair. With every bite, you’re not just tasting cheese, sauce, and crust; you’re savoring centuries of delicious evolution!

~ Marty ~

BONUS FACTS:

• Italian food is known for tomato sauce, but the tomato actually originated in the Andes mountains of South America. Spaniards brought tomatoes back to Europe in the 16th century, introducing them to Europe.

• Because it’s importance in society, Italy has laws about pizza. In 1984, Italy founded the True Neapolitan Pizza Association (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana) which set specific standards to create an authentic Neapolitan pizza. In order to legally call a pizza “Neopolitan” in Italy, certain ingredients must be used and certain cooking procedures must be adhered to. Restaurants have to apply for the certification. Perhaps the United States needs to have laws about making good pizza!

• As of 2023, there are more than 73,000 pizza restaurants in the United States. If you ask me, that’s not nearly enough.

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Keep in mind, this is not the complete history history of pizza. There is sooooo much more, but if I put it all here I wouldn’t have future posts! Do some research on it – it’s all pretty interesting!

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