The history of pizza dates back to ancient times. In Ancient Rome, a dish similar to pizza, called placenta, was made. It was a kind of flatbread made of layers of dough and filling, cooked on a grill. Later, during the Byzantine Empire, this dish evolved into pita, which is still popular around the world.
However, the pizza we know today originated in the city of Naples in the 18th century. Poor residents of the city used various available ingredients to make a snack. Initially, it was a thin round bread baked with tomatoes, cheese, and other available ingredients in the city.
However, the first pizzerias, as a business, appeared in Naples only in the 19th century. But by the mid-19th century, pizza had become a true national icon of Italy, thanks to Tommaso Di Fiore, who opened the first pizzeria on Port'Alba Street in Naples.
Soon, pizza became very popular, not only in Italy but also beyond its borders. In 1889, pizza Margherita was invented in honor of the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. She ordered pizza at the pizzeria of Raffaele Esposito, who made a pizza with three colors of the Italian flag - green basil, white mozzarella cheese, and red tomatoes. This combination of colors became the basis of a new dish. This pizza was also convenient for celebrating the Day of Italy.
In the 20th century, pizza began to conquer the world. In 1905, the first pizzeria opened in the United States in New York City. Pizza quickly became very popular, and today there are over 70,000 pizzerias in the US alone.
Today, pizza is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and it can be found in various variations and in different culinary traditions. Thin and thick crusts, various fillings, sauces, spices, etc. - all of these make pizza a real masterclass in cooking.
There are many pizza recipes, but the main ingredients remain unchanged - it's dough, tomatoes, cheese, and various fillings. The dough can be thin or thick, and for its preparation, various types of flour, water, yeast, and salt can be used. Vegetables, meat, fish, mushrooms, cheeses - all of this can be used as a filling for pizza. Tomato sauce, pesto, cream sauce, as well as many other sauces can be used for the pizza sauce.
Today, there are many varieties of pizza, and each region in Italy, as well as other countries, creates its unique types of pizza. Some of them include seafood pizza, quattro stagioni pizza with different fillings, calzone pizza with filling inside the dough, focaccia pizza with oil and rosemary, and many others.
Pizza has become a cultural symbol, and it can be found in any part of the world. It is popular in fast-food restaurants and in high-end restaurants, it is loved by both adults and children. It is not only delicious but also convenient - it can be ordered for takeaway, and it is well-suited for various events and celebrations.
Thus, the history of pizza is rich and diverse, and it continues to evolve and win the hearts of people all over the world.
