There are definitely some conversations we should stay away from if we want to keep peace in the house – politics, religion and whether fruit belongs on pizza! This kind of discussion could wage a holy war in your household and send some people into a hair pulling frenzy! Even famed Chef Gordon Ramsay has weighed in on the great fruit on pizza debate. But when and where did this wonderful goodness come from? Let’s explore!

The modern birthplace of the Almighty “Za” was Naples, Italy, but believe it or not, it became more popular in the US before it did in Italy. Naples was settled in the 1700s and many who settled there lived near the water and outdoors. They were considered quite poor and ate food that was inexpensive and quick, thus street vendors and small restaurants began selling flatbreads with toppings like oil, cheese and garlic. 

Down the road a bit in 1889, King Umberto 1 and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889 and were so bored with French cuisine that they asked for an assortment of pizzas. The queen’s favorite was the “pizza mozzarella” which was topped with cheese, basil and tomatoes. Today we know it as Pizza Margherita. Quite a coincidence that it is also red, white and green, the colors of the Italian flag!

Pizza historians (now who doesn’t want that job huh?) believe that the delicious sphere of goodness remained little known in Italy beyond Naples but when immigrants traveled to the US in the 1940s, they brought their love and knowledge of pizza with them and began making them and selling them in large cities such as Boston, New York and Chicago and the rest, as they say, is history.

So whether you like your round $5 pizza pizza or your square deep-dish with all the toppings that can fit, one thing remains, pizza is by far one of the most popular foods of all time. No matter if you like it with bacon, boiled eggs, black olives, or fruit! 

For continued interest.

https://www.bacinos.com/history-of-pizza/

https://www.history.com/news/a-slice-of-history-pizza-through-the-ages