Pizza's Tasty Journey: From Ancient Flatbreads to Cheesy Delights - Pizza Origin
Have you ever wondered where your favorite food, pizza, came from? Let's take a yummy trip through time to find out!
The Birth of Pizza
Long, long ago, people in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome ate flatbreads with toppings. These early flatbreads were kind of like the great-great-grandparents of today’s pizza! Even famous poets got in on the action: in the ancient Roman epic Aeneid, Virgil describes hungry travelers eating mushrooms and herbs on top of round, stale loaves—and then, still starving, chomping down the very serving cakes their food was piled on. One character exclaimed, “See, we devour the plates on which we fed!” Talk about making history with your lunch!
As time went on, these simple, hearty breads covered in whatever was handy became a tasty tradition across the Mediterranean.
Naples was a busy city by the sea. Many people there were poor and needed quick, cheap food. That's when pizza became popular! It was easy to make and carry around.
Back in the 1700s and 1800s, Naples was bursting with people, especially folks moving in from the countryside. The city was crowded, and not everyone could afford fancy meals. The poorest people—called the lazzaroni—needed something filling, affordable, and fast. Street vendors came to the rescue, selling pizzas right on the street. You could buy a slice sized and priced just for your budget.
Early pizzas were simple. Sometimes they just had garlic and salt, but other times you might get cheese, basil, or even tomatoes. People in Europe were actually a little nervous about eating tomatoes at first (they thought tomatoes were strange and maybe even dangerous), but they were cheap—perfect for hungry Neapolitans. That’s how the tomato-topped pizza we love today first got its start!
Who Created the Pizza We Know Today?
Pizza as we know it took a delicious turn in Naples in the late 1800s. There's a fun story about a visit from Italian royalty: King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy traveled to Naples in 1889. Tired of fancy French meals, they wanted a taste of traditional Neapolitan food.
A local pizza maker named Raffaele Esposito (with help from his wife) whipped up three different pizzas for the royal couple. One of them had vibrant red tomatoes, creamy white mozzarella cheese, and fresh green basil—the colors of the Italian flag! Queen Margherita loved this creation so much, it was named after her: Pizza Margherita.
This royal approval gave pizza a popularity boost, and that simple tomato-and-cheese combination became the standard we still enjoy on pizza today. Thanks to Queen Margherita's good taste, cheese and tomato became must-have toppings, and Pizza Margherita remains one of the most classic pies you can order.
The First Mention of Pizza
But did you know the word “pizza” itself first popped up over a thousand years ago? In 997 CE, in southern Italy, someone actually wrote about pizza for the very first time. According to an old document, the son of a local noble promised to deliver twelve pizzas each year to the town’s bishop—sort of like paying pizza rent!
Pizza Crosses the Ocean
Pizza didn't become super popular right away. It only became a big hit when Italians moved to America in the early 1900s. They brought their love for pizza with them!
The first pizza shop in America opened in New York City in 1905. It was called Lombardi's, and guess what? It's still open today!
Pizza Takes Over the World
After World War II, everyone wanted to eat American food. That's when pizza became famous all over the world. People started making different kinds of pizza, like:
- New York-style pizza
- New York-style pizza with big, floppy slices
This classic pizza is famous for its huge, foldable slices and thin, chewy crust. The dough usually includes a bit of sugar and olive oil, giving it a special taste and texture. The sauce is cooked and made from canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, sugar, and yummy spices like basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper. On top, you'll find lots of grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese—just the right amount of gooeyness! Some folks even say that New York City's tap water helps make the crust extra delicious. - Chicago deep-dish pizza that's thick like a pie. It almost didn’t happen—two Chicago restaurant owners wanted to serve Mexican food, but after a mishap with an enchilada, they switched to pizza instead. Chicago’s deep-dish pizza stands out with its super thick crust and layers of toppings, baked in a pan like a real pie.
- Detroit-style pizza is rectangular and has a fluffy, focaccia-like crust. It got its start in 1946 when a bar owner’s wife suggested a Sicilian-inspired recipe. Detroit pizza is topped with a mix of brick and mozzarella cheeses, which gives it a crispy, cheesy edge—a true hallmark!
- California-style pizza with fancy toppings, like fresh veggies, goat cheese, and even barbecue chicken.
- Supreme pizza—not tied to any one place, but totally American! Supreme pizzas started as a way for pizza places to show off all the toppings: peppers, onions, sausage, pepperoni, and more. It’s all about abundance and variety.
Pizza Today
Now, pizza is loved everywhere! In America, people eat about 350 slices of pizza every second. That's a lot of pizza!
What Makes a Real Neapolitan Pizza?
Naples takes pizza seriously—so seriously, in fact, that the city made official rules in 2004 for what counts as a true Neapolitan pizza! According to these guidelines, a real Neapolitan pizza has to be round and made with a special kind of yeast and flour.
And there's more:
- It must be baked in a wood-fired oven at super-high temperatures—over 900 degrees Fahrenheit!
- The oil needs to be drizzled on in a spiral.
- If you add cheese, it has to be sprinkled evenly across the top.
Only the very best ingredients are allowed for this classic pizza. That’s how Neapolitan pizza keeps its legendary status!
What Toppings Did Early Neapolitan Pizzas Have?
Back in those early days in Naples, pizza toppings were simple but tasty. Imagine a crust with just a sprinkle of garlic, a dash of salt, and maybe a hint of fresh basil or a bit of cheese if you were lucky. Tomatoes were actually a new thing in Europe then—people weren’t sure about them at first! But since tomatoes were so inexpensive, they became a favorite addition for folks looking for a cheap and flavorful meal. And that’s how the classic pizza toppings we love today started to take shape.
Tomatoes Join the Party
At first, pizza toppings were pretty simple—think garlic, salt, maybe a sprinkle of cheese or basil. But tomatoes? Most Europeans were a bit nervous about them because they were a new arrival from the Americas and part of the mysterious nightshade family. Because people didn’t want them, tomatoes were super cheap, making them perfect for those in Napleslooking for an affordable meal.
Soon, curious cooks started putting tomatoes on flatbreads. Surprise! The tangy, juicy flavor was a hit. Before long, the tomato-topped pizza we know and love became a delicious favorite in Naples and started its rise to worldwide fame.
The Story Behind Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
But what about that famous Chicago deep-dish pizza? Its beginnings are a bit of a surprise! Two restaurant owners in Chicago were originally planning to open a Mexican restaurant. However, after one of them didn’t feel well from eating an enchilada, they changed their minds and decided to create a pizza spot instead.
There’s still some friendly debate over who exactly can claim the invention, but the main goal was clear: they wanted to bake up a pizza that was different from all the others in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood. That’s how the thick, cheesy, pie-like deep-dish pizza was born—a new twist that helped make Chicago a pizza legend, too!
Detroit-Style Pizza: A Tasty Twist
Detroit-style pizza stands out from the crowd for a few reasons. Instead of the usual round shape, it's baked in a rectangle! This pizza got its start in Detroit back in 1946 when a local bar owner decided to try something new, inspired by his wife's Sicilian family recipe.
What really makes Detroit-style pizza special? Its thick, airy crust that’s almost like focaccia bread. The dough is pressed into a deep pan, and the toppings—like rich tomato sauce and a blend of brick and mozzarella cheese—are layered right to the edges. The secret ingredient, brick cheese, melts beautifully and its oils help create that famously crispy, golden edge around the crust. If you love a pizza that’s both soft and crunchy, Detroit-style is a must-try!
Supreme Pizza: A Topping-Filled American Classic
But wait—what about “supreme” pizza? This over-the-top favorite didn’t come from a single city; instead, it popped up in the United States during the 1970s. Pizza makers wanted something loaded with flavor and toppings that would stand out, so they piled on just about everything in the kitchen!
Supreme pizza is all about abundance. You’ll usually find it covered with classic American favorites like pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onions, and maybe even mushrooms or olives. Every pizzeria gives it their own special twist, but one thing’s for sure: if you order a supreme, you’re getting a little bit of everything—just the way Americans like it.
A Royal Stamp of Approval
In the late 1800s, something delicious happened—Queen Margherita of Italy paid a visit to Naples and tried a local pie topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. She loved it so much that she made pizza famous among the upper class! From then on, this tasty flatbread wasn’t just a snack for everyday folks; it became a meal fit for royalty. In fact, her love for this classic combo inspired the name "Pizza Margherita," and you can still see her thank-you letter to the pizza chef on display at the original restaurant in Naples.
Her royal approval gave pizza a boost in popularity, making it a little fancier and more beloved across Italy—though it still took some time before everyone wanted a slice!
The World’s First Pizzeria
So, who opened the very first pizza restaurant? That honor goes all the way back to Naples, Italy! In 1738, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba began as a simple stand for hungry folks in the bustling city. About a hundred years later, it became a real sit-down spot—with tables, chairs, and everything! Even kings wanted a taste, with King Ferdinand II sneaking in to try a slice loaded with garlic and tomato sauce.
Pizza Takes Over the World
After World War II, everyone wanted to eat American food. That's when pizza became famous all over the world. People started making different kinds of pizza, like:
-
New York-style pizza with big, floppy slices
-
Chicago deep-dish pizza that's thick like a pie
-
California-style pizza with fancy toppings
Pizza Today
Now, pizza is loved everywhere! In America, people eat about 350 slices of pizza every second. That's a lot of pizza!
Want to enjoy some delicious pizza outdoors? Check out CasaBellaOutdoor.com for amazing outdoor pizza ovens and grills. Make your backyard the best pizza place in town!
Ready to host a pizza party? Visit CasaBellaOutdoor.com to find everything you need for the perfect outdoor pizza experience.
pizza origin, Naples Italy, flatbread, Italian immigrants, Lombardi's, pizza styles, pizza history, American pizza, outdoor pizza oven, pizza party
More information on pizza origin
