Pizza is without a doubt the world’s favorite food. That simple flat bread with the variety of toppings of cheeses, meats, vegetables, and richly seasoned sauces is universally craved throughout the globe today. Interestingly, pizza hasn’t changed much from its earliest history that stretches back possibly as far as the Stone Age when flour and water were first mixed and baked on stones.
One of the first historic descriptions of pizza dates back to the third century B.C. in the writings of Marcus Porcius Cato, better known to many as Cato the Elder. He describes a flat round of dough baked on stones that is stopped with olive oil, honey, and herbs in his written history of Rome. Further evidence of the pizza that uses most all of the ingredients enjoyed in today’s pizzas has been uncovered in the ruins of Pompeii. This thriving Roman city that was destroyed in 79 A.D. by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius had early Italian pizzerias that featured the delectable pie. Descriptions of favorite toppings are found in the writings of Marcus Gavius Apicius that include chicken meat, cheese, garlic, mint, oil, and pepper.
Tomatoes became a standard ingredient of contemporary pizza upon the introduction of the fruit to Italy in the 16th century. The pizza had become a standard dish of the peasantry in Naples by the 17th century. Its popularity was firmly entrenched into the royal classes during the 18th century as evidenced by the special pizza oven built in the summer palace of the King and Queen of Naples.
The popularity of the pizza has only continued to grow along with the other mouth-watering fare for which Italy is known. Italian recipes are known for their fresh, healthy ingredients and unequaled flavor that make it little wonder that Italian food is beloved the world over.
