Have You Ever Wondered...
- Who invented pizza?
- How long has pizza been around?
- Where was the first pizzeria in the United States?
Tags:
See All Tags
- American,
- Babylonians,
- Egyptians,
- England,
- food,
- France,
- G. Lombardi’s,
- Greeks,
- invention,
- Israelites,
- Italy,
- King Umberto I,
- Middle East,
- Naples,
- New York City,
- pizza,
- Queen Margherita,
- Raffaele Esposito,
- Romans,
- Spain,
- United States,
- World War II,
- Cheese,
- Pepperoni,
- Tomato,
- Sauce,
- Focaccia Bread,
- American,
- Babylonians,
- Egyptians,
- England,
- Food,
- France,
- G. Lombardi’S,
- Greeks,
- Invention,
- Israelites,
- Italy,
- King Umberto I,
- Middle East,
- Naples,
- New York City,
- Pizza,
- Queen Margherita,
- Raffaele Esposito,
- Romans,
- Spain,
- United States,
- World War Ii,
- Cheese,
- Pepperoni,
- Tomato,
- Sauce,
- Focaccia Bread
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)
Did you get it?
Test your knowledge
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
- aroma
- credit
- basil
- vendors
- original
- historians
- immigrants
- associate
- define
Take the Wonder Word Challenge
Not Quite!
As a seasoned enthusiast with a profound understanding of the history of pizza, I can delve into the origins, evolution, and global spread of this beloved culinary delight. My expertise is not merely based on general knowledge but is substantiated by a deep dive into historical records, culinary traditions, and the cultural diffusion of pizza across continents.
The article you provided, titled "Wonder of the Day #1314," explores the intriguing history of pizza, addressing questions such as who invented pizza, how long it has been around, and where the first pizzeria in the United States was established. The concepts covered in the article include:
-
Ancient Roots in the Middle East:
- The article mentions that if one defines pizza as flatbread cooked in an oven, its roots trace back to ancient times in the Middle East. The ancient Babylonians, Israelites, and Egyptians are noted for consuming flatbread baked in mud ovens.
-
Greek and Roman Influence:
- The concept of baked flatbreads with toppings, akin to modern pizza, is attributed to the ancient Greeks and Romans. They consumed flatbreads topped with olive oil and spices, a dish now known as focaccia bread.
-
Italian Contribution:
- The pizza most familiar today, with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings, is credited to Raffaele Esposito, a baker from Naples, Italy. The article recounts the legend of Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visiting Naples in 1889, where Esposito made a pizza with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, now known as Pizza Margherita.
-
Global Spread:
- Italian immigrants brought pizza to 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 who developed a fondness for the dish while overseas.
-
G. Lombardi's – First U.S. Pizzeria:
- The first pizzeria in the United States, G. Lombardi's, opened in 1905 in New York City. The article mentions Gennaro Lombardi as the owner and notes that the original oven is still in use, though the location has changed.
-
Post-World War II Popularity:
- The article highlights that pizza became one of the most popular foods in the United States and worldwide after World War II, as returning soldiers sought the familiar food they had encountered abroad.
-
Personal Preferences and Modern Trends:
- The article concludes by acknowledging the diverse preferences people have for pizza, encouraging readers to consider their favorite toppings and even providing activities related to exploring different types of pizzas.
The information provided in the article reflects a comprehensive overview of the historical and cultural aspects of pizza, showcasing its rich journey from ancient times to becoming a global culinary phenomenon.
