The origin of pizza lies in the ancient civilizations that prepared flatbreads with toppings on them. Although flatbreads with toppings are found in numerous cultures, the modern version of pizza originated in Naples, Italy. The Italian coastal town turned a simple dough made with yeast into a worldwide sensation in the 18th and 19th centuries. Let us explore the origin of pizza and how it has evolved today.
Where in the world the first pizza originated?
The pizza originated in Naples, Campania, Italy in the late 18th century. Although the ancient Greeks and Egyptians consumed flatbreads topped with oil and herbs, it was the Neapolitan bakers who first combined these breads with tomatoes. This recipe formed the basis for today's modern pizzas.
Who invented the first pizza?
There are precedents for topping flatbreads with toppings in ancient Persian and Greek cultures. According to historians, Persian warriors baked flat breads on their shields in the 6th century BC. They topped these with cheese and dates. The Greeks served a type of flatbread known as plakous. They added herbs, onion, cheese and garlic to the dough. These did not include tomatoes, which are considered part of pizza today.
These early foods were main course for the workers and the army. They provided quick energy were easy to transport. But these were really flatbreads, not pizzas. It was the tomato that was the key ingredient that transformed flatbreads into pizzas.
Why is Naples considered the birthplace of modern pizza?
Modern pizza was created in Naples in the late 18th century when it was a bustling port. It was home to a large number of working class people called lazzaroni. They required a cheap and quick meal that they could eat on the streets.
From these vendors, they began to eat flatbreads served with lard, salt and garlic. Later, the vendors began to add tomatoes. Tomatoes were introduced to Europe from America in the 16th century. For a while, Europeans believed them to be toxic. They were first used on bread in Naples.
In the early 19th century, specialised restaurants called pizzerias started to open. Naples' Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba is believed to be the first of such pizza cafeterias.. It started as a stand in 1738 and then became a restaurant in 1830.
The Legend of Pizza Margherita
The Legend of Pizza Margherita is the most well known origin of pizza. In 1889, the Queen was on a visit to Naples with King Umberto I. Legend has it that they were bored with the French gourmet food that royal families eat. They asked for specialties from the most renowned pizza maker in the town.
Chef Raffaele Esposito from Pizzeria Brandi prepared three pizzas for the Queen. One included lard, cheese and basil. Another had tiny fish. The third had tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. The three colours were the red, white and green of the Italian tri-color.
The Queen liked the third dish the most. Esposito named the pizza "Pizza Margherita" after her. Some historians question the veracity of this claim, but it is the most important cultural moment for pizza. It transformed pizza from poor man's food to gourmet delicacy.
How Pizza Became a Global Phenomenon?
Until the late 19th and early 20th century, pizza was confined to Italy. Its rise to popularity began with Italian immigration. When Italians emigrated to America and other European countries, they brought their food with them.
The first recorded pizzeria in the US was Lombardi’s. This pizzeria began in New York City in 1905. At first, pizza was only eaten in Italian communities. But following World War II, American troops returning from Italy helped spread the popularity of pizza. Pizza consumption began to increase dramatically in the post-World War II period.
The emergence of pizza chains in the 1950s and 1960s cemented its popularity. It was during this time that we saw pizza delivery and frozen pizza. Today, pizza is ubiquitous across the globe, from Chicago's deep dish to Delhi's thin crust.
What was the name of the first Pizza?
The modern pizza was known as the "Pizza Marinara". It was made in Neapolitan in the mid-18th century with tomatoes, garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil. The dish was called "Marinara" because it was a favourite of sailors returning from the Bay of Naples.
The history of pizza is a tale of evolution from ancient flatbreads to a speciality street food in 18th-century Naples. Based on toppings and breads from many cultures, the Neapolitan bakers set the recipe for today's pizza. The invention of the Margherita pizza in 1889 is the key moment that popularised pizza throughout the world. It is one of the world's most versatile and popular foods.
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