by Matty Z

Created on: August 19, 2010   Last Updated: August 20, 2010

The history of the pizza

It can be assumed that the most popular food in the world from ages five to 18 is pizza. Although pizza is an Italian dish, it does not originate in Italy. The early Greeks who baked large, round originally laid early versions of pizza, and flat breads followed by a dressing of oil topped off with unique spices. The most necessary ingredient for pizza, besides the bread, is tomato. Tomatoes were introduced to Italy in the 16th century but were not used with pizza until the 18th century.

By the 18th century, the flat bread phenomenon sweeped throughout Italy and was sold throughout the streets and markets. This was the dinosaur age of pizza in a sense at first being made with no toppings. However, early pizza provided what was necessary. It was tasty, filling, and cheap. Pizzas were served to the poor in Naples and savored by the rich as well. In 1889 Queen Margherita visited Italy and tried the flat bread phenomenon and instantly loved it.

Soon after, Queen Margherita went to a pizzeria run by Chef Rafaelle Esposito. She convinced Rafaelle to make a special pizza, just for her. The pizza was topped with tomatoes, mozzerela cheese, and fresh basil. It was called the Pizza Margherita. Queen Margherita spread the word of this unique savory pizza blended with cheese and tomatoes thus creating the famous margherita pizza. Other countries began adding unique toppings to their pizza. Bologna added meat into their pizza.

People began cooking their pizza in brick ovens. America did not have the fortune of pizza until after World War Two where it was spread to France and America. While occupying European territories, soldiers tasted pizza and instantly relished it. Today pizza still prevails as one of the favorite foods of America, even though Americans did not originally make it. However, there are variations Americans made to pizza. Chicago style deep-dish pizza, which is a pizza with a flaky crust, was created by Ike Sewell at his bar and grill called Pizzeria Uno.

Now Uno’s is a popular restaurant that can be found in many malls and airports. There are even healthy pizzas like pan pizza, stuffed crust pizza, thin crust pizza, thick crust pizza, and even whole-wheat crust. It is a fact that pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. The average person eats 23 pounds of it per year. Chefs, cooks, moms, dads, and children today make pizzas at home, in their store, or at their friend’s house. Most people simply order a pizza pie. Every time you bite into the red tomatoes sauce or enjoy the bark colored crust remember Queen Marguerite and Chef Rafaelle who spread the word of pizza and helped make it what it is today.

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