The history of pizza traces its roots back to ancient civilizations, though the modern version we recognize today emerged in Italy. Pizza, as a concept, has evolved over centuries, influenced by different cultures and tastes.
Flatbreads with toppings have existed for thousands of years across various civilizations. In ancient Greece, people baked flatbreads with olive oil, herbs, and cheese, while in Persia, soldiers of the Persian King Darius I (around 500 BCE) are believed to have baked flatbreads topped with cheese and dates on their shields. Similarly, in ancient Rome, there was a dish called focaccia, a flatbread seasoned with herbs and topped with simple ingredients, resembling what we might consider early forms of pizza.
The pizza we know today, with its distinct combination of flatbread, tomato sauce, and cheese, originated in Naples, Italy, during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The working-class people in Naples needed affordable, easy-to-eat food, and pizza, which was sold by street vendors or informal eateries, became a staple. Early Neapolitan pizza was topped with simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
Tomatoes, originally brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, were initially believed to be poisonous. However, by the 18th century, they had become widely accepted as food, and their use on pizza helped shape the dish’s modern form.
In 1889, one of the most famous moments in pizza history occurred when Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples. A local pizzaiolo (pizza maker), Raffaele Esposito, was asked to create a pizza in honor of the Queen. Esposito made three types of pizza, and the Queen’s favorite was one topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. These ingredients represented the colors of the Italian flag (red, white, and green), and the pizza was named “Pizza Margherita” in her honor. This event helped popularize pizza beyond Naples.
Pizza remained primarily a dish associated with Naples until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Italian immigrants brought the dish with them to the United States and other parts of the world. In cities like New York and Chicago, pizzerias began to spring up, particularly in neighborhoods with a high concentration of Italian immigrants.
In the U.S., pizza became widely popular after World War II. American soldiers stationed in Italy developed a taste for the dish and brought their love of it back home. The post-war era saw the rapid rise of pizza chains, such as Domino’s (founded in 1960) and Pizza Hut (founded in 1958), which helped spread pizza culture across the country and eventually around the world.
Today, pizza is one of the most popular and beloved foods globally, with countless regional variations. In Italy, pizza is still strongly associated with its traditional Neapolitan roots, while in the U.S., different styles have emerged, such as New York-style, Chicago deep-dish, and California-style pizza. Other countries have also put their spin on pizza, adding local ingredients and flavors.
Pizza has gone from being a simple street food to a global phenomenon, with endless topping combinations and styles. Whether it’s a traditional wood-fired pizza from Naples or a creative fusion from a modern pizzeria, the dish has become an integral part of the world’s culinary landscape.