Pizza, with love, from ancient Europe to the world: A slice of history
Margherita, deep dish or cheese burst: These names are enough to make you crave for a pizza no matter where you are. From a grab-on-the go snack to a midnight meal, there are many ways to savour a freshly-baked pizza. From Italy, this melt-in-the-mouth dish has found its way into people’s palates and hearts across the globe. Pizzas have stood the test of time and come out tastier than ever. Though everyone knows pizzas came from Italy, the true origin and history are a mystery to many of us.
Modern-day pizza: The origin story
Pizzas that we know today came into existence during the 18th century Naples, southern Italy. During the reign of the Bourbon kings, Naples became one of the largest cities in Europe. Because of the rapid growth, its population almost doubled from 200,000 in 1700 to 399,000 in 1748. The urban economy could not keep up with the development and most city residents fell into poverty. They wanted something easy to eat and not too expensive. So, pizzas came to the rescue. Pizzas were sold by street vendors who used inexpensive ingredients and combined them with flavour. The toppings were made with garlic, salt, basil and cheese derived from horse milk. This is your classic Neapolitan pizza! his
Margherita: A Pizza fit for the Queen
During a visit to Naples in 1989, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Italy grew tired of French dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So, they summoned their chef to prepare some local delicacies for the queen. He created three different kinds of pizza, one with basil and cheese, another with cecenielli (fried fish) and the third with mozzarella cheese, basils and tomatoes. The queen was delighted with the taste of the third one. Later, they named it after her. This is how the Margherita pizza was born!
When Pizza reached America
Pizza found its second home in America. During the 19th century, Italian emigrants reached the East Coast. The first pizzeria that was opened in New York, was known as Lombardi’s. Pizza found a place in the American palate immediately. Because of rapid urbanization, it quickly spread across the country. Soon, the enterprising restaurants adapted it and created pizzas that suited the local needs, tastes and identities. This is how your Chicago deep dish, Rocky Mountain pie and Hawaiin versions came into existence. Interesting, right?
The pizzas we love today are different from the traditional Neapolitan ones. However, they have globally reached every nook and cranny with giant food chains like Domino’s and Pizza Hut. So, the next time you bite into a delicious pizza, you know you are biting into a slice of history.