Have You Ever Wondered...
- Who invented pizza?
- How long has pizza been around?
- Where was the first pizzeria in the United States?
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Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Mykah from Allison, TX. Mykah Wonders, “Who invented pizza?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Mykah!
Mmmm…do you smell that? Fresh out of the oven, a steaming pie sits waiting to be eaten. Your senses are overtaken by the aroma of hot bread, melted cheese, and simmering tomato sauce. Are you ready to dig into that favorite of all foods? What are we talking about? Pizza, of course!
Some kids like meat, and others don’t. Some kids like vegetables, and others try not to eat them. Some kids love seafood, while others think fish should stay in the sea. But one thing most kids can agree on is this: Pizza is awesome!
Where did this much-loved food come from? We often associate pizza with Italian food. But do the Italians get the credit? Or did someone else make the very first pizza? There’s not an easy answer. Different historians have different ideas. A lot depends on how you define “pizza.”
Do you think of pizza as a flatbread cooked in an oven? If so, its roots go back to ancient times in the Middle East. The ancient Babylonians, Israelites, and Egyptians all ate flat bread baked in mud ovens.
Do you think a pizza has to have toppings? In that case, it dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. They both ate baked flatbreads topped with olive oil and spices. Today, we call this dish focaccia bread.
What about the pizza most are familiar with? You know, the kind with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings? That did start in Italy. Specifically, baker Raffaele Esposito from Naples is often given credit for making the first such pizza pie. Historians note, however, that street vendors in Naples sold flatbreads with toppings for many years before then.
Legend has it that Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889. There, Esposito was asked to make them a pizza. He topped the pizza with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. That pizza is still known as Pizza Margherita today.
Italian immigrants brought pizza with them to Spain, France, England, and the United States. It didn’t gain popularity until after World War II, though. That’s when returning soldiers looked for the food they had grown to love while fighting overseas.
The first United States pizzeria — G. Lombardi’s — opened in 1905. The owner was Gennaro Lombardi. He opened his restaurant at 53 1/3 Spring Street in New York City. It is still open today using its original oven, although it has changed location.
Today, pizza is one of the most popular foods in the United States and, indeed, around the world. Do you like pizza? What are your favorite toppings? Do you think toppings like pineapple belong on pizza? Everyone has their own preferences!
Standards: C3.D2.His.2, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1
Wonder What's Next?
We're hoping you don’t put off tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day for another day!
Try It Out
Mmmm! Are you hungry yet? Sink your teeth into the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Take a field trip to your local grocery store or supermarket. How many types of pizzas can you find? You probably already know pizza is one of most people's favorite foods, but did you realize exactly how popular it is? When looking for pizzas, be sure to check out the frozen food section, as well as the pasta section where you'll find boxes of homemade pizza mix. But you might also find pizzas in the meat section where portable lunch-sized meals are sold. You can also often find cooked, ready-to-eat pizzas in supermarket deli sections. How many total types of pizzas did you find?
- What would be on your ultimate pizza? Extra cheese? Pepperoni? Sausage? Onions? Peppers? Mushrooms? Take some time to design your ultimate pizza from the crust up. What type of crust would you want? Thick or thin? Stuffed with cheese or seasoned with herbs and spices? Next, consider the sauce you'd like. Something spicy? Or sweet? How about the cheese? Can you ever have enough cheese? What kinds of cheeses would you put on your pizza? Mozzarella? Parmesan? Something more unique? And, finally, top your pizza with your favorite meats and vegetables. When you're finished designing the perfect pizza pie, share your creation with an adult friend or family member and ask them to help you make it a homemade reality fresh out of your oven. Pick a day when you'll be able to make pizza together, and get cooking!
- Have you ever seen a pizza made at a restaurant? Ask an adult friend or family member to help you find a local pizzeria that would be willing to let you get an up-close look at pizza-making by a professional. Perhaps you'll even be able to help out in the process! From making the dough to sliding the pizza into the oven, there's nothing quite like getting hands-on experience. And the best part? You get to taste your handiwork when it's done!
Wonder Sources
- http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/e02.html (accessed 25 June 2019)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_pizza (accessed 25 June 2019)
- http://www.passion-4-pizza.com/history_of_pizza.html (accessed 25 June 2019)
- http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/pizza.htm (accessed 25 June 2019)
- http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/a-slice-of-history-pizza-through-the-ages (accessed 25 June 2019)
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Wonder Contributors
We’d like to thank:
kylee, Emma, Rosa mae, Gloria and Mailee
for contributing questions about today’s Wonder topic!
Keep WONDERing with us!
Wonder Words
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Not Quite!
As an enthusiast and expert in the culinary world, particularly the history of food, I can confidently delve into the intriguing origins of one of the world's most beloved dishes—pizza. My comprehensive knowledge spans ancient civilizations, cultural diffusion, and the evolution of this iconic dish through time.
The Wonder of the Day #1314 explores the captivating history of pizza, prompted by Mykah from Allison, TX, who wonders, "Who invented pizza?" This question takes us on a journey through the ages, unraveling the mysteries of pizza's inception.
Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Ancient Roots in the Middle East:
- Pizza's origins can be traced back to ancient times in the Middle East, where flatbreads were baked in mud ovens. This culinary tradition was embraced by civilizations such as the Babylonians, Israelites, and Egyptians.
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Greek and Roman Influence:
- The concept of topped flatbreads with olive oil and spices, akin to today's focaccia bread, originated with the ancient Greeks and Romans. This laid the foundation for the evolution of pizza toppings.
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Italian Connection:
- The modern notion of pizza, with tomato sauce, cheese, and various toppings, is often credited to Raffaele Esposito, a baker from Naples, Italy. Legend has it that he created the first Pizza Margherita for Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita in 1889.
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Global Spread:
- Italian immigrants played a crucial role in spreading pizza to other countries, including Spain, France, England, and the United States. However, it wasn't until after World War II that pizza gained widespread popularity, especially among returning soldiers.
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First U.S. Pizzeria:
- G. Lombardi's, opened in 1905 by Gennaro Lombardi in New York City, is recognized as the first pizzeria in the United States. Despite changes in location, the original oven is still in use.
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Post-World War II Popularity:
- The surge in pizza's popularity in the United States and worldwide occurred after World War II, as soldiers returning from overseas sought the familiar and comforting taste of the pizza they had encountered during their service.
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Personal Preferences:
- Pizza has become one of the most popular foods globally, with individuals having diverse preferences for toppings. The article encourages readers to reflect on their ideal pizza and even suggests designing one from scratch.
In conclusion, the rich tapestry of pizza's history encompasses ancient civilizations, cultural exchanges, and the creativity of individuals like Raffaele Esposito. The journey from ancient flatbreads to the diverse array of pizzas enjoyed today is a testament to the enduring and universal appeal of this iconic dish.
