Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. It’s based on a simple concept: a flatbread with toppings baked at high temperatures and eaten without utensils. The convenience and variety of topping choices make pizza a quick and easy meal.
Who Invented Pizza?
While flatbreads and toppings existed in countries like Greece and Egypt, it was the city of Naples, Italy, that can lay claim to the origin of pizza. In the 1700 and 1800s, flatbreads baked with toppings like oil, tomatoes, cheese, and garlic were popular fare among the working classes. They were sold at inexpensive restaurants and street carts.
Pizza got a boost in popularity when the Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1861. The royal pair sampled the local fare, and the queen was enamored with the pizza topped with tomatoes, soft cheese, and basil. Her affinity for the dish led to it being renamed Pizza Margherita, which is still popular today.
Pizza remained a local specialty in Naples until the 1900s, when immigrants introduced it to America. The dish caught on, and soon, chefs were innovating with toppings and sauces. By the end of World War II, American-style pizza was a global favorite.