It is a common belief that pizza was first originated from Italy and the Italians pride themselves on this fact. In the past, it was a dish for just special occasions when a distinctive person used to visit, especially as a royal guest. But not it has become the most common food item which can be eaten at homes ordering pizza delivery or going to a famous restaurant and enjoying the delicious taste. In this article, we take a look at how pizza has progressed over the years.
The origin of the word ‘Pizza’.
The origin of the word pizza is not well known, and there is an ongoing debate about it. Many believe that it is the Italian word for ‘pie’ others are of the view that it is the Greek word Pitta or Latin word Pinsa which means flatbread, which resulted in the current name.
The first mention in history
History does have various references that show Pizza existed centuries ago before Italians started making it, although it was in different forms as compared to the Pizza we see today.
A recent archaeological study conducted by French and Italians had shown that bread was baked in Sardinia some 7000 years ago when people used leaven to cause the dough to rise.
A study also revealed that in the 6th century during the reign of Persian King Darius I, his army baked bread with cheese and dates used as toppings when they were in the battlefield and did not have adequate food arrangements.
The closest thing to modern pizza was made by Ancient Greeks who used flatbread called ‘Plakous’ and topped it with onions, garlic and cheese.
Suggestions of Modern Pizza’s origination
Some historians are of the view that the origin of modern pizza was when the Roman Jews returned from Synagogue and tried Pizzarelle which were from Passover cookies, but there is no documented proof of that.
The more popular belief though is that of Abba Eban who had documented that modern Pizza was made some 2000 years ago when the Romans who were stationed in Israel taste Jewish Matzoth and developed their recipe when they returned home which looked similar to the current pizza.
Over the years it was named differently, and ingredients were used based on the location with each country having their version and ways to make flatbread, and it wasn’t later in the 15th century that there were specific ingredients used all over the world.
Middle ages
By the middles ages, modern pizza started to take shape. People who did not have enough money in those times created the contemporary pizza dough with whatever items they could get and used olive oil and herb topping. A few years later Indian beef changed the outlook of pizzas when mozzarella was produced for the first time and now has become the mainstay of any pizza dish.
Various ingredients were then added to the dough, and it did not matter how they tasted or if they were suitable. For people in those times, it was just the way of eating something that gives them energy and fulfilment, and that’s precisely what flatbread did.
Discovery of Pizza in Italy
In the 1500s tomatoes were first exported to Europe from Peru. Initially, they were considered poisonous, and no one tried them, but gradually poor people incorporated them in their diets. That’s when the modern Italian pizza was formed when people topped yeast dough with tomato sauce.
Naples was famous for its modern buildings and richness in those times, but most of the working class struggled to make ends meet. The requirement of cheap food that didn’t require much time to cook was, therefore, taking place. Pizza, thus, gained a lot of fame in those times because people only had specific items such as olive oil, lard, cheese and herbs to eat. That’s where the famous Naples pizza originated and proclaimed to be the best.
First Pizza Shops in Italy
Professionally pizza was developed in kitchens of Naples when the bakers needed something to keep the oven warm, and they used the leftover dough in the oven and sold it to more impoverished people at a low price. Eventually, by adding various ingredients and trying different combinations, Pizza was sold all over Italy and became an ethnic food.
It is said that Raffaele Esposito was the first person who used the new ingredients such as cheese, tomatoes, olives and onions as pizza toppings and for seasoning. In the 1800s Esposito was ordered by the royal family to come and make pizza for the visit of Italy’s King Umberto and Queen Margherita. During the tasting session, Queen loved the combination of Mozzarella, Basil and tomatoes and hence, Raffaele named it ‘Pizza Margherita’. Port Alba was the first documented location where a pizza shop opened, and the place still exists in the city.
Current Italian Pizza
The current Italian pizza has a thin crust that is crispy and has a variable topping. Many Italians believe that the authentic pizza flavour is in the thin crust and that’s how the original pizza was made. But it all depends on the region because in Naples famous pizza Alta is known as the trick crust and soft while the Roman pizza is known as the thin crust and crispy.
The topping includes a thick tomato paste, and the dough is fermented for 48 hours before it is used. The most famous Italian pizza is the Pizza Napoletana which is made from a mixture that includes tomato sauce, oregano, garlic, salt and olive oil.
Most Italians chefs prefer using the local ingredients from the country, and even if there are branches in other parts of the world, they try to get the items from Italy to keep the authenticity intact. That’s the reason Italians do not agree with the new changes such as using pineapple and ham or meat in the crust. That’s allowed too, as they are emotional about their national dish which has become a staple food for everyone around the world.
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