Pizza lovers of the world unite ... Pizza, our favourite Italian food !
Mon, Jul 23rd 2007, 00:00
Naples is widely considered the birthplace of pizza as we know it today.
This fact is debatable … the Greeks and the Egyptians were indulging in flat, unleavened bread topped with olive oil and native spices long before the Italians got their act together. But, as with most things, the Neapolitans perfected the recipe and added the style! And it is the Naples version of flat bread … the pizza … that has taken the world by storm.
The flatbread revolution began in Italy only when locals were introduced to buffalo milk and tomatoes. (Buffalo were introduced from India around the year 1000AD, and tomatoes only made their appearance in the 16th Century.) It was only then that the stage was set, and pizza was created.
The baker Raffaele Esposito is the first person to be credited with adding cheese topping to flatbread, the mark of pizza as we know it today. He was commissioned to produce a special snack for the visit of King Umberto and Queen Margherita in 1889 … and came up with 3 flavours for flatbread toppings.
The queen favoured the pizza topped with mozzarella, tomato and basil, so from that day Pizza Margherita was named in her honour. It is the quintessential Italian pizza with the red, white, and green of the ingredients representing the colours of the Italian flag.
Pizza was favoured by royalty and the common people too. Pizza Marinara, another Naples staple, was the food the fishermen ate when they returned home from fishing trips in the Bay of Naples. It has a topping of tomato, oregano, garlic, olive oil and basil.
Pizza purists believe that the true pizza has to be baked in a wood oven and topped with Campania made mozzarella di bufala (mozzarella made of buffalo milk). They believe that you will only truly taste a good pizza if you eat it in a pizzeria in Naples!
If you are a lover of pizza, a visit to Naples is a must do travel destination. Many of the original pizzerias are still open today: Antica Pizzeria Brandi dates back to 1780. Today it heaves with tourists making their pilgrimage to the birthplace of Pizza Margherita.
Italian immigrants took Italian cuisine around the world and these days pizza is big business; you can enjoy the taste of Naples in every corner of the globe. There is even a certification body that issues recognition to pizza restaurants around the world deemed to make La vera pizza (true pizza) in their pizzeria or restaurant.
Related Categories
Featured Businesses
- Ristorante Le Colonne Pizzeria (2010-07-19)
Located in Camaiore, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Ristorante Le Colonne Pizzeria in Camaiore serves excellent pizza that is "a jewel of lightness." Enjoy calzones, the fold over pizza as well, and all pizzas are topped with delicious Mozzarella cheese. There is a vast selection to choose from and toppings range from meats to mushrooms to anchovies and capers, and you're welcome to add extras.
read more » - Regent Cafe Restaurant (2008-09-03)
Located in Murwillumbah, Tweed Shire Council, New South Wales , Australia
The Regent Cafe Restaurant located in the Regent Arthouse Cinema in Murwillumbah offers delectable pizzas all on triple-baked Bio-dynamic Spelt flour Pizza base!!
read more » - Fina's Pizza (2009-01-19)
Located in San Pablo, Contra Costa, California, United States
We at Fina’s Pizza in San Pablo, California pride ourselves on great food. We offer everything from pizza, sandwiches, pasta, and more.
read more » - Amato's (2009-12-02)
Located in Brunswick, Cumberland County, Maine, United States
Amato's, Brunswick, Maine, United States has a long tradition of exceptional real Italian sandwiches, 105 years in fact. So whether you want a quick lunch or a family take away dinner stop by Amato's.
read more » - The Restaurant-Pizzeria La Croix-Verte (2010-09-13)
Located in Nyon, Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland
The Restaurant-Pizzeria La Croix-Verte in Nyon serves delightful Swiss, French and Italian cuisine with house specialities of Fish, Meat, Pasta and wood fired Pizzas. Come dine in a variety of different dining rooms, each with their own special atmosphere or out on the large patio under the shade of ancient trees. The menu is varied and superb and caters to both the large and small appetite.
read more » - Fricano's Too (2010-06-03)
Located in Holland, Ottawa County, Michigan, United States
Fricano's Too is a family owned pizzeria in Holland, renowned for serving the original and most famous pizza in Michigan since 1950. The pizza at Fricano's Too enjoy a cult status in the community and people will queue in all weather to experience the sublime. With only one size available and no onions, this is a true pizza pie the way pizza was meant to be like back in the real old days.
read more » - Avanti Italian Restaurant (2010-01-24)
Located in Del Rio, Val Verde, Texas, United States
If you find yourself in Del Rio, visit Avanti Italian Restaurant for food which is truly wonderful, Italian cuisine, with servings which are very generous. Diners will enjoy 5 star service in an atmosphere which is very relaxing and comfortable.
read more » - Stefano′s (2009-10-22)
Located in Waiheke Island, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
Stefano's, Italian Restaurant, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand offers and extensive range of wonderful tradional Italian dishes. We also have live music and events evenings like poker night, speed dating and food and wine evenings.
read more » - Eiscafe Ristorante and Pizzeria Piazza 25 (2010-10-11)
Located in Baabe, Ruegen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
The Eiscafe Ristorante and Pizzeria Piazza 25 at the Strandhotel Baabe on Ruegen offers the diversity of Italian cuisine in Baabe. Come enjoy Mediterranean fish specialties, fresh meat and poultry products, and excellent pasta and pizza dishes paired with the finest wines and drinks and cocktails are also available. Experience a little bit of Italy by the seaside in an elegant atmosphere.
read more » - The Restaurant (2009-11-25)
Located in Blue Hill, Hancock County, Maine, United States
The Restaurant at Barncastle Hotel, Blue Hill, Maine, United States offers you delicious comfort food, wondeful Italian cuisine as well as our vegetarian and vegan cuisine. You can also enjoy drinks next to our fireplace in the pub area.
read more »
Pizza lovers of the world unite ... Pizza, our favourite Italian food ! reviews
Login to comment