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The History of Pizza

Jul 17th 2018 - J. Vigotsky Blog, 

The History of Pizza

Pizza, one of the most popular and classic dishes in the world, has a rich and fascinating history that dates back centuries. We will explore the origin of pizza, who popularized it, and how it became a global phenomenon.

The History of Pizza

To begin, the origin of Pizza can be traced back to ancient civilizations, such as Greece and Egypt, which made flatbreads with toppings. It was in the 16th century that pizza as we know it today, with tomato sauce and mozzarella originated in Naples, Italy.

Fast forward to the 19th century and pizza had become a popular street, communal food among the poorer people in Naples. It was in Naples that pizzeria Brandi invented the Margherita pizza, with its green basil representing the Italian flag's colors of red, white, and green that elevated this dish which was considered a poor person's food.

In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants brought this communal food to the United States, but it was Gennaro Lombardi who opened the first pizzeria in America in 1905 on Spring Street in New York City. Pizza quickly became a staple of American food culture, with pizza restaurants popping up on every corner and pizza chains like Pizza Hut and Domino's emerging.

Today, pizza is a global phenomenon, with variations, adaptations, and even frozen pizza options in nearly every country. Let's take a look at some backgrounds of the wide variety of pizzas.

(See more: Oldest Fast Food Chains In The World: History, Facts, And More!)

Types of Pizza & Regional Variations

Pizza is a quintessential Italian dish that has gained immense popularity all over the world. Over the years, pizza has undergone several transformations and innovations.

From the classic pizza Margherita to the modern-day iterations with unique toppings as convenient food, every variety of Italian pizza is a delectable culinary delight. Let's take a look at some unique styles of pizza makers, showcasing the incredible diversity of the Italian pizza culture.

Neapolitan Pizza

Neapolitan pizza is a traditional pizza variety that originated in Naples, Italy, during the 16th century. It is a simple yet delicious form of pizza that has gained immense popularity worldwide. This pizza is known for its distinctive features that set it apart from other Italian pizza styles.

The pizza is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, including San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil. The dough is then stretched by hand to create a thin, crispy crust that is slightly charred in a wood-fired oven at a high temperature.

To ensure that the pizza served at restaurants meets the traditional standards, the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, or AVPN was established. AVPN is an organization that is responsible for certifying authentic Neapolitan pizzerias around the world.

Neapolitan pizza has become popular across the globe because of its exquisite taste and traditional preparation methods. It has inspired many other popular pizza styles, such as Sicilian-style and Detroit-style pizzas. Still, the unique flavors and high-quality ingredients of a traditional Neapolitan pizza remain unmatched..

Roman-Style Pizza

Roman-style pizza is one of the earliest forms of pizza, and it has a unique history dating back to ancient Rome. Unlike Neapolitan pizza, which is made with fresh ingredients, Roman-style pizza is a bit simpler and more rustic. It is made using milled wheat flour, water, salt, and aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

Roman-style pizza gained popularity mainly because of its versatile nature. It was used as a base to hold saucy dishes. The ancient Romans would cover the round bread discs with various sauces, including honey and olive oil, cheese, fresh basil, and other herbs. They would then serve them as an appetizer or even as a meal.

To cook the pizza, the Romans would place it on a hearth with hot ashes. This cooking method was not a true oven, but it did allow the pizza to cook thoroughly. The final product was a crispy and slightly charred crust that held the saucy toppings perfectly.

Modern pizzas may have evolved from Roman-style pizza, but the two are quite different. Roman-style pizza is not as popular as Neapolitan pizza, which is more commonly found in pizzerias around the world. However, it still holds a place in history as one of the earliest and most rustic forms of pizza.

Sicilian-Style Pizza

Sicilian-style pizza is a widespread variety of pizza, known for its thick crust and hearty toppings. It originated in Sicily, Italy, and has since become popular in many parts of the world. One of the defining characteristics of Sicilian-style pizza is its thick crust, which is typically spongy and bread-like in texture.

The pizza begins with a base of thick tomato sauce, which is then topped with a generous amount of cheese along with other toppings such as onions, olives, and anchovies. The cheese used can vary, but mozzarella is a common choice.

The dough used to make Sicilian-style pizza is also an important aspect of the pie. It is typically made with olive oil, which gives the crust a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. The dough is allowed to rise for a long period of time, which contributes to the pizza’s unique texture.

Calzone

Calzone is a popular Italian dish that is related to pizza and has an interesting history. Its origins can be traced back to Naples, the birthplace of pizza, where it was invented as a way to turn pizza into a portable meal. Calzone is essentially a folded pizza pocket that is filled with various ingredients such as fresh Mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, meats, and vegetables, similar to the toppings used for pizzas.

The dough used to make Calzones adds to their unique characteristics. They can either be made with pizza dough or a more focaccia-like dough, which is softer and fluffier. The type of dough used can affect the texture and flavor of the Calzone.

The most popular fillings used for Calzones include mozzarella, ricotta, salami, ham, and spinach. These fillings are typically combined with tomato sauce and cheese to create a delicious and satisfying Calzone. Once the fillings are added to the dough, it is shaped like a half-moon and then baked in an oven until it is golden brown and crispy.

Stromboli

Stromboli is a popular Italian-American dish that resembles a turnover. It is often featured on pizza menus and has become a favorite among many pizza enthusiasts. This delicacy is a unique mix of meats, cheese, and vegetables baked to perfection in a rolled-up dough.

Stromboli is believed to have originated in the United States and was named after a volcanic island in Italy. The dish is essentially a rolled-up pizza filled with a variety of toppings and baked to a golden brown perfection. It is slightly different from calzone, another turnover-like dish, as Stromboli is typically filled with cold cuts, cheeses, and vegetables while calzone is usually filled with pizza toppings and is often served with marinara sauce on the side.

The most popular ingredients used in making Stromboli include pepperoni, sausage, ham, mozzarella cheese, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. However, there are many variations of Stromboli, and one can customize the filling to suit their liking. Some people add spinach, bacon, or even pineapple to their Stromboli.

The secret to the perfect Stromboli is in the preparation of the dough. The dough should be rolled out thinly and then filled with the desired toppings. It is then rolled and shaped into a long, thin log, brushed with olive oil, and baked in a preheated oven until it's golden brown. The dough should be tender and light with a slightly crunchy crust.

Raffaele Esposito and the Margherita Pizza

Raffaele Esposito is one of the most prominent figures in the history of pizza, known for his significant contribution to the development of this beloved food. Esposito gained worldwide fame for creating the Margherita pizza- a classic pizza flavor that is still popular to this day.

The Margherita pizza is a simple yet elegant creation that incorporates the colors of the Italian flag - red, white, and green. The pizza consists of a thin and crispy crust, topped with fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. This combination of flavors and colors was inspired by a visit from Queen Margherita of Savoy, who was touring around Italy in 1889. Esposito created the pizza to honor the queen and used ingredients that were representative of her country.

Fun Facts About Pizza:

  • The record of the world's largest pizza dates back to 2012. The record was measured in Rome where the winning pizza measured more than 1,260 square meters.
  • There are still present debates on who actually invented deep-dish pizza and although not confirmed, it might have been invented in the famous pizza-heavy neighborhood of Chicago's Little Italy.
  • It is known amongst people, specifically the Italian-American population, that Tomato Pie is the first American pizza.
  • Pizza's ancient roots changed from being just part of poor people's food to its popularity today thanks to a royal seal of approval that set it on the path to global domination.
  • In other references, there are historical claims that the pizza might have been created by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, or anyone who learned the secret of mixing flour with water and heating it on a hot stone.

(See more: What Is Pepperoni Made Of? Types, Recipes, And More!)

The History of Wood-Fired Ovens

Throughout history, the creation of new culinary dishes and techniques has been influenced by the innovation of different cooking tools and appliances. One such appliance is the wood-fired oven, a pizza oven that has been used for centuries in the production of different types of dishes, especially Italian pizzas.

18th Century Wood-Fired Ovens

During the 18th century, wood-fired ovens revolutionized the art of pizza-making. These ovens were constructed using various materials, including natural stone and clay bricks, and were specifically designed to cook pizzas at high temperatures.

The invention of wood-fired ovens was a significant milestone in pizza history, as they not only changed the way pizzas were cooked but also helped to refine the entire pizza-making process. Wood-fired ovens were designed with specific characteristics that made them ideal for pizza-making.

Today, many pizzerias continue to use wood-fired ovens, which are still preferred by pizza chefs for their ability to produce delicious, classic pizzas with a crispy crust and unique flavor

Pizza Ovens

The first types of ovens used to cook pizzas were wood-fired or coal-fired. These pizza ovens were made with fireproof brick, stone, clay, or concrete. And believe it or not, similar ovens are still available today. Some run on natural gas, but others use traditional fire. These modern wood-fired ovens give pizza a natural smoky flavor.

wood fired pizza oven

The more popular ovens that you’ll see at pizzerias are pizza deck ovens. Since they have multiple decks, these ovens are capable of cooking several pizza pies at the same time. That makes these ovens ideal for pizzerias that tend to get large orders for delivery.

The World’s Largest Pizza

In December 2012, the evolution of the pizza pie peaked when the largest pizza pie on record was debuted in Rome, Italy. The location was appropriately just a couple hours north of pizza’s original birthplace in Naples. The record-breaking pizza pie measured a mind-boggling 13,580.28 sq. ft. That converts to a little less than 1/3 of an acre! Prepared by four chefs, the gluten-free pizza was named “Ottavia” in tribute to Rome’s first emperor. It weighed an absurd 51,257 pounds and took 48 hours to bake.

The Future… and Beyond

It might seem like we’ve pushed the pizza pie as far as it can go. But if the past has taught us anything, it’s to never underestimate man’s love of pizza. The future will surely lead to even more innovative pizza toppings. And it wouldn’t at all be surprising to see the record for the world’s largest pizza broken. Especially now that robots might help bake the pie.