The Delicious Journey of Pizza

Pizza, a dish that is both simple and iconic, has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. From its humble beginnings as a basic flatbread to the global phenomenon it is today, pizza has evolved dramatically, taking on countless variations and styles. 

This style of eating can be traced back to ancient civilizations of the Greeks and Egyptians, who cooked flatbreads with toppings on hot stones, although the term “pizza” was first recorded in the 10th century in a Latin manuscript from Gaeta, Italy. These early versions were simple breads garnished with available ingredients, such as olive oil and spices.

It was in Naples, Italy, during the 18th century, that pizza began to take on the form that we recognise today. Initially, it was regarded as food for the poor, with toppings limited to what was inexpensive and readily available to them, such as garlic, anchovies, and cheese.

One of the most beloved legends in the world of pizza revolves around the Margherita, which was allegedly first made in 1889, to honour the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. For this, the Neapolitan pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito created a pizza featuring the colours of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This remains a staple of traditional Italian pizza.

Another classic Neapolitan pizza was the Marinara, which features seafood – which was obviously readily available to those coastal inhabitants. Both of these pizzas are still with us to this day, although the basic dish continued to take on many new forms as its popularity spread around the world. Even non-traditional toppings such as pineapple and banana have found their way to this dish.

Just as the original flatbread had travelled from Greece and Egypt to Italy, so the pizza was brought to north America by Italian immigrants, who arrived as far back as the 17th century, long before the formation of the USA. Mass immigration of Italians to the then-USA took place from the late 19th century, although it would still be a long while before pizza would truly catch on. At the end of World War II, however, returning soldiers craved the pizza they had eaten while stationed in Italy, and so, the pizza grew to become become a part of mainstream culinary culture. Being as the US has long dictated international cultural trends, it wasn’t long before the dish was recognised around the globe. 

Pizza’s journey from a Neapolitan street food to a global culinary star reflects its universal appeal and adaptability. Whether it’s a traditional Margherita from a pizzeria in Naples or a slice of “deep dish” in Chicago, pizza has a unique way of capturing the culinary essence of its environment.