To understand the history of pizza, it is important to recognize the ingredients involved - from the dough to the tomatoes to the herbs. Each ingredient holds a clue to the origin and time of its inception. As is typical of many "origin" stories, there are bound to be myths and legends mixed in with fact. Some of the specifics may be impossible to validate, but there is enough information that some conclusions can be safely drawn.
Humble Culinary Beginnings
Pizza did not begin as the pizza we know it to be today. Most people would assume pizza began with the Italians, who would love to stake their claim, however this is only partially true. We know that before our modern view of pizza with the tomato sauce and lots of toppings, it had its humble roots dating back to early Middle Eastern civilizations such as the Greeks, Israelites, and Egyptians in the form of flatbread. Basic flatbread consists of flour, water and olive oil - the same simple ingredients used in pizza dough today.
Flatbread was often baked over stones or in a brick oven, then seasoned with whatever toppings the cook had on hand. Typically this was a few herbs, olive oil and anything else including various meats. It was mostly peasants who ate such simple foods which were too common for royalty in earlier centuries. In fact it wasn't until the 18th century when the tides of favoritism began to turn towards the pizza.
From Ornamental Decor to the Kitchen Counter
In the mid 16th century, tomatoes made their first arrival in Italy. Contradictory reports exist as to where and who brought the first tomatoes to the boot shaped peninsula. However, oddly enough, it was believed that these red fruits were actually poisonous and therefore were only used as decorations.
It was during the 17th century that the people of Naples, Italy grew in courage and began experimenting with tomatoes as a food item. It did not take long for its popularity to rise and soon the news spread. By the 18th and 19th century, the use of tomatoes as decorations was a long lost and assumedly embarrassing memory.
Pizza Margerita
It was in 1830 that the true official birth of pizza, as we know it, began to take form. This was in part due to a visit by the King of Italy and his wife Queen Margerita di Savoia to a pizzaria in Naples called, "Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba". Of course there is debate as to the name of the exact location, some citing, "Pizzeria di Pietro" as the official landmark. The widely accepted story is that when the chef Raphael Esposito learned of the visit, he chose to make a grand impression by creating a pizza representing the colors of the Italian flag- red, white and green. He made the dough and added layers of sliced tomatoes, white mozzarella cheese, and fresh green basil. When the Queen expressed her delight in the pizza, he aptly named the new menu item, Pizza Margerita.
Various Pizza Recipes
Over time, as popularity and societal acceptance in Italy grew for the pizza, different variations began to be created and sold in pizzerias on every street. For example, there was a Quatro Formaggio, which consisted of 4 cheeses, mozzarella, stracchino, fontina and gorgonzola. Fish was also used as a topping on pizzas, such as Tuna. There were also pizzas which were basically flatbread patties topped with pesto, a mixture spread of garlic, pine nuts, basil and lots of olive oil.
Introduction to America
Pizza made its face known to the Americas in New York City in 1905 with the opening of a pizzeria by Gennaro Lombardi. But, just as in Italy, it took awhile for society to adapt to a new food item they were unfamiliar with. Pizza in the United States did not hit the big time until ironically after World War II. Soldiers which were stationed overseas in or near Italy experienced pizza first hand in its true authentic form. When they returned home, they not only raved about the pizza, but gave away the secret for making a better tasting Italian pizza - the herb oregano. It is oregano which gives pizza sauce its characteristic flavor, different from a regular marinara sauce you see poured over spaghetti in a pasta bowl. Once chefs started experimenting with the herb, not only did pizza begin its journey into the hearts of Americans, but so did ironically the herb oregano which is now considered a staple in every herb garden.
Oregano may be what helped give the pizza its new flavorful spark, but there were other instrumental players involved in the promotion of the pizza pie along the way. The first Pizza Hut was opened in the 1930's making it a dining experience. In 1943 the first Pizzeria Uno was born in Chicago featuring the thick Chicago style crust, unlike the much thinner New York Style crust. In 1948 the first pizza mix was packaged and sold on supermarket shelves.
Italian Love Affair with Pizza
However, pizza got its real uptick thanks to Italian pop legends such as Frank Sinatra who was often seen eating slices of pizza. And you cannot discount the world famous song by Dean Martin, That's Amore, featuring the catchy lyrics, "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore...". After hearing Dean Martin sing about pizza, what American wouldn't instantly fall in love with the pizza pie? Soon after, in 1957 the Celentano Brothers marketed and sold the first frozen pizza to stores. It was an instant hit and soon pizza made its way into the homes of families from the East coast to the West.
While there will always be debate and skepticism as to the very first origins of the pizza concept, there is no mistaking how far pizza has traveled over the centuries. From simple peasant flatbread, to upscale uptown pizzerias, the love for this food has graciously reached far and wide encompassing the entire globe.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Trementozzi Krause was raised in an Italian family. Thanks to her and her husband's Italian background, she has collected a variety of Italian food recipes which she features on her website, www.simpleitaliancooking.com.
