World Pizza Day: remember the history of the dish until Bitcoin
Photo: Freepik
Yesterday, July 10th, World Pizza Day was celebrated, one of the most loved dishes by people all over the world. Although many believe that pizza originated in Italy, the story is far-reaching and intriguing. Its long history spans centuries and millennia, unifying the countries of Europe and then continents and the entire world.
The origin of the word “pizza” is uncertain. In the Italian language, “pizza” means “pie” and may have derived from the Greek word “pitta” or the Latin word “pinsa”, which refers to a “flat bread”. The invention of pizza itself is equally uncertain and cannot be attributed to a particular person.
Photo: Freepik
In celebration of the date, learn a little about the history of pizza :
How did it come about?
Pizza did not originate in Italy, the country for which it is now world famous. Few people know exactly where pizza originated. There are several theories about where the delicacy was invented, but the most accepted is that it was discovered by the Egyptians around 6 thousand years ago.
However, the most significant milestone in the history of pizza occurred in the 16th century, with the introduction of the tomato to the Old World. Tomatoes and the sauces made with them soon became fundamental elements of Italian pizza, which later spread throughout the world.
The modern pizza
The arrival of the New World tomato fueled a surprising rise in pizza's popularity. The epicenter of pizza innovation was the city of Naples, where local chefs began adding the famous tomato topping.
The origins of modern pizza date back to the end of the 18th century, when pizza gained enormous popularity on the streets of Naples. It was sold in the poorest areas of the city, which became a popular tourist destination for Italian and European sailors.
As pizza became more popular, street vendors became better organized. The first modern pizzeria, called Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, opened in 1830, and many others followed.
How did it become popular?
The moment that solidified pizza's popularity in Italy came in 1889, when renowned Naples pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito prepared three pizzas for Umberto I, the King of Italy, and his wife, Queen Margherita di Savoia.
As a way of honoring the queen, Raffaele decided to create a special pizza for her. So he baked a pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves, representing the colors of the Italian flag: red, white and green. This pizza became Queen Margherita's favorite.
Raffaele's creation also began a lasting culinary tradition: Pizza Margherita, which continues to this day in Naples and has spread throughout the world, being one of Brazilians' favorites. Thus, Raffaele Esposito was the first real pizza maker.
From Italy to the World
The success of the pizza presented by Raffaele made his creations become part of Italian gastronomic culture. Pizza consumption continued to spread throughout Italy, until the origin became popular throughout the world. The turning point that brought pizza international fame occurred after the end of World War II.
With the emergence of new pizzerias across the American continent, the modern pizza industry began to take shape. Some of the most famous and established pizza franchises during that period were Pizza Hut, founded in Wichita, Kansas, Domino's (1967), and Papa John's (1984).
Then, several pizzerias began to emerge around the world, not just franchises, but also small restaurants and pizzerias that contributed to the popularization of the dish.
Photo: Freepik
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