A Brief History of Italian Pizza and Its Most Popular Varieties
Discover the history of the typical Italian pizza and its most delicious tastes with this article, so you will come to Italy ready to taste the best!
The origins of pizza are shrouded in mystery. At its core, it is simply a flat disc of wheat dough topped with various condiments. Some attribute its invention to the Chinese, Egyptians, or Phoenicians, but no one can say for sure.
What is certain, however, is that modern pizza with a tomato base was created in Naples, Italy. Following the introduction of tomatoes to Europe by the conquistador Cortez in the 16th century, farmers around Mount Vesuvius began making a sauce from them. When cooked, the tomatoes' acidity transformed into sweetness, making the sauce very popular.
In Naples, there was even a credit system known as "pizza a otto," allowing customers to pay up to eight days after eating. The city was also home to the first sit-down pizzerias in the world, which emerged in the 19th century, turning pizza into a leisurely meal enjoyed at a table.
A significant event in pizza history occurred in 1889 when Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples. To honor her, a local chef created a pizza that featured the three colors of the Italian flag and included basil, an herb that had been ornamental until it began to be used in cooking in the 17th century. This creation, the pizza Margherita, remains the most famous and popular pizza in Italy today.
Here are some of the most popular types of pizza in Italy:
- Margherita
- Mozzarella con prosciutto e funghi (with ham and mushrooms)
- Capricciosa (with eggs, prosciutto, mushrooms, and baby artichokes)
- Pizza with artichokes
- Diavola: pizza with spicy salami
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