The evolution and history of  Pizza. Who invented pizza 

Pizza has become a global favorite that can be enjoyed almost every part of the world. However, have you ever wondered where this delicious and versatile dish originated? Let’s take a trip through time and explore the history and evolution of pizza, from ancient Egypt to its current status as a fast-food icon. This beloved food has a fascinating story, full of migration, economics, and technological change, as well as a royal seal of approval that set it on the path to global domination. Join me as we delve into the cheesy and flavorful history of pizza.

I. Introduction

A brief overview of the History of Pizza

Pizza, a beloved cuisine many cherish worldwide, has a long and fascinating history. Historical records suggest that pizza variants have been consumed in some shape or form for centuries. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans enjoyed flatbreads with various toppings. The modern-day version of pizza is believed to have originated in Naples, Italy, in the 18th and 19th centuries. This was a time of great economic and social upheaval, and the city was filled with poor workers needing inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly. As a result, street vendors sold flatbreads with various toppings, including cheese and tomato. The pizza gained royal approval when Queen Margherita visited Naples and was delighted with a pie topped with soft white cheese, red tomatoes, and green basil. Over time, pizza made its way to the United States, where it became a popular fast food enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Pizza is a global phenomenon with countless variations, toppings, and flavors. 

Importance of pizza in today’s global cuisine

Pizza is undoubtedly one of the most popular dishes in today’s global cuisine. People of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds enjoy it. The versatility of pizza is what makes it so unique. It can be customized with different toppings to suit everyone’s taste, from simple cheese and tomato sauce to elaborate gourmet toppings like smoked salmon, truffle oil, and arugula. Pizza has become an iconic dish that has transcended borders and cultures. It is no longer just an Italian staple but a worldwide phenomenon. Pizza has been adapted to suit the flavors of different regions across the globe. For example, you can find pizza toppings like teriyaki chicken or squid ink sauce in Japan. The popularity of pizza has also led to the growth of the global pizza industry, creating jobs and contributing to the economy. Pizza has become an essential part of modern cuisine, and its influence is felt everywhere. 

II. Ancient Origins of Pizza

Flatbreads with toppings in ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece

Did you know that flatbreads with toppings were consumed by ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks? The latter ate a version with herbs and oil similar to what we refer to now as focaccia. Even the ancient Greeks made plakous, a flatbread topped with herbs, onions, cheese, and garlic. The invention of modern-day pizza was spurred by the import of tomatoes from the Americas to Europe in the 16th century, around 1522. However, the pizza we all know and love today can be traced back to Naples, where the poor required inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly. Pizza flatbreads with various toppings were eaten for any meal and sold by street vendors or informal restaurants. The popularity of pizza has grown to the point where it has become a global phenomenon enjoyed in wide creative varieties. 

Early pizza-like dishes in Mediterranean cultures

Various cultures have enjoyed early pizza-like dishes, including the Ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. These societies produced basic flatbreads flavored with various toppings, such as herbs, onion, cheese, and garlic. The Greeks called their version of the early pizza plankton, used as an edible plate when eating stews or thick broth. On the other hand, the Romans enjoyed a dish called piscina, pizza. In the Aeneid, an early reference to a pizza-like food occurs when Aeneas and his men are served round cakes (like pita bread) topped with cooked vegetables and realize that these are the tables prophesied by Celaeno. Pizza as we know it today evolved from similar flatbread dishes in Naples, Italy in the 18th or early 19th century and became popular worldwide after World War II. However, its history and evolution can be traced back thousands of years to these ancient cultures that enjoyed dishes that looked like pizza. 

Pita bread in Greek mythology

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Demeter first created pita bread which taught humans how to cultivate wheat and bake bread. It was considered a sacred food often offered to the gods in religious ceremonies. Pita bread also played a role in Greek culture and daily life, referencing it in literature and art. For example, the famous philosopher Plato wrote about pita bread in his work “The Republic,” it is also depicted in ancient Greek pottery and artwork. Today, pita bread is still a popular food in Greece and around the world, often used as a base for sandwiches or served alongside dips like hummus or tzatziki. Its versatility and history make it a beloved staple in the culinary world, connecting us to the rich traditions of ancient Greece. 

III. Emergence of Pizza in Naples

Italy in the 18th and 19th century

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Italy was going through significant changes. The country was divided into different kingdoms and republics. Poverty and inequality were widespread, and Naples was no exception, which is where the pizza revolution began. To make ends meet, the poorest people would buy cheap and accessible ingredients such as bread and tomatoes and create a new dish: pizza. It was considered a food for “the people” and not high-class cuisine like French gastronomy. However, with the unification of Italy in 1861, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889. Tired of fancy French cuisine, the queen tried local specialties, including pizza. Raffaele Esposito, a famous Neapolitan pizzaiolo, was summoned and created what is now known as the Pizza Margherita. The queen loved it, and the rest is history. Pizza transformed from a “poor man’s dish” to a truly national dish, and eventually, it was exported worldwide. 

Poverty in Naples

In the 1700s and early 1800s, Naples was teeming with the working poor known as lazzaroni. These Neapolitans required inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly. Pizza met this need with its various toppings sold by street vendors or small eateries. However, judgmental Italian authors often called their eating habits ‘disgusting.’ It is crazy to think that pizza was originally considered the food of poor people. It fed large families with few resources and villages. Poverty in Naples is a big factor in the evolution of pizza. Street vendors selling pizza allowed for it to be accessible and affordable to the masses. Poverty may have given rise to the popularity of this dish. But now, pizza has been enjoyed worldwide and is a staple of global cuisine. It’s interesting how humble beginnings can give birth to such a loved and celebrated food. 

Inexpensive and easy-to-find ingredients

Pizza is undoubtedly one of the most popular fast foods in the world, loved by people of different cultures and backgrounds. But did you know its humble origins can be traced back to poor communities in Naples, Italy? In those times, the need for inexpensive and easily accessible foods was a priority. This led to using simple, affordable, and easy-to-find ingredients readily available in the streets. Inexpensive toppings like garlic, lard, and salt were used, while tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and basil were gradually introduced. Despite being initially criticized by food critics, pizzas eventually gained worldwide recognition when Italy became unified, and Margherita of Savoy approved the pizza Margherita’s topping named after her. Today, pizza has evolved tremendously to include creative toppings that undoubtedly elevate it to a global favorite. 

Street vendors are selling pizza.

Street vendors selling pizza may seem recent, but it dates back centuries. They were the pioneers in introducing pizza as a portable and affordable meal. The original pizzas sold by street vendors in late 18th-century Naples were made with inexpensive, easy-to-find ingredients like garlic, lard, and salt. These simple toppings had plenty of flavors, making the pizzas a hit among the city’s impoverished residents. Vendors carried large boxes filled with pizzas and would cut them according to the customer’s budget or appetite. Slice by slice, pizza became an instant success and a staple in the city’s culinary scene. Today, pizza sold by street vendors is still popular in many cities worldwide, offering a quick and delicious meal on the go. It is amazing how this once humble dish has revolutionized the food industry and continues to be a favorite of millions of people worldwide. 

IV. Margherita Pizza and National Popularity

Italian unification and Margherita’s approval of pizza

Italian unification greatly impacted the evolution of pizza as we know it today. During the 19th century, Naples, where pizza was first created, became a part of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy. As a result, pizza’s popularity began to spread beyond the borders of Naples as people from other regions discovered this delicious dish. One of the most famous stories surrounding the modernization of pizza involves Queen Margherita of Savoy. In 1889, pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito created a pizza in her honor, which featured tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the colors of the Italian flag. Queen Margherita was so impressed with the pizza that she gave it her royal approval – thus giving birth to the now iconic Margherita pizza. From its humble origins as street food in Naples to its status as a globally beloved dish, pizza has come a long way, and its history is worth exploring.