There are few people around the world who do not rave about the taste of a steaming pizza. Its portions, those magical triangles loaded with mozzarella cheese and all kinds of toppings, have become an icon of Italian gastronomy with an international reach. At Supercurioso we declare ourselves fans of this tasty dish. Therefore, this time we have started to investigate, to bring you some of the best curious facts about pizza. From its distant origin, through its fast food versions and until its arrival in space itself… Join us to discover the fascinating curiosities of pizza.
10 curiosities of pizza that you should know
The Italian gastronomy It is simply amazing richness. Pasta, lasagna, focaccias, risottos, desserts like tiramisu… a thousand options that will surely whet your appetite. But despite the fact that the vast majority of Italy’s emblematic dishes have spread throughout the world, pizza is one of the most universal and successful. Whether you like simple mozzarella, pizza with ham, tomato or paprika, or even options as exotic and controversial as pineapple pizza, Today we present you the best curious facts about pizza. Of course: You will have to assume the risk of wanting to go for one when you finish reading…
1. The oldest pizza
We begin our tour of the curiosities of pizza, telling you about the origin of pizza. To find it, we must travel far back into the past. The history of this popular dish dates back more than 4,000 years.
It is said that the ancient Egyptians already prepared flat bread with ingredients such as oil and herbs, which would later resemble the pizza we know today. So pizza has been conquering palates for millennia.
2. The origin of the word
Another of the curious facts about pizza is the origin of the word itself. This It comes from Italian and is believed to have originated in Naples in the 17th century. Originally, pizza was known as “pitta,” which means “flatbread” in Greek. Over time, the word evolved into “pizza” and became popular around the world as one of the most iconic dishes in Italian cuisine.
3. Pizza in Ancient Rome
Although we know pizza as Italian, another of the curiosities of pizza has to do with its history in the imposing city of Rome. Did you know that the ancient Romans also enjoyed their own version of pizza? It is said that they used to eat a kind of flat bread called “focaccia”which was covered with different ingredients such as olive oil, herbs, cheese and honey. So the Romans are the true owners of this variant.
4. Pizza as a reward
This is one of our favorite pizza fun facts. We tell you that this delicious dish has been used as an incentive and reward on many occasions. It is said that in the 1940s, New York schools began offering pizza as prizes to students who got good grades.. This practice quickly spread to other schools across the United States, making pizza a delicious study motivator.
5. Pizza competitions
That’s how it is! Another of the curiosities of pizza is that it has also been the protagonist of sports competitions. There are speed championships to see who can eat a whole pizza in the shortest possible time. In addition, there are also dough stunt competitions, where pizza makers toss dough into the air and perform impressive tricks. Pizza is not only delicious, but also sporty!
6. The biggest pizza in the world
We add to the curious facts about pizza, the history of the largest in the world. This amazing pizza, the largest ever recorded in the world, weighed more than 12 tons. That’s how it is! It was prepared in 2012 in Rome, Italy, and measured more than 40 meters in diameter. An enormous amount of ingredients were used, including over 4 tons of tomato, 4 tons of flour, and 1.5 tons of cheese. Imagine the size of the oven needed to cook it!
7. Food of the poor
This is one of the curiosities of pizza that not everyone knows. Although today it is considered a gourmet delicacy in many places, in its origins it was a simple and cheap food for the common people. It is said that in Naples, Italy, in the 17th century, street vendors prepared pizzas to quickly feed the workers. and low-income people.
8. The most expensive pizza in the world
While pizza used to be considered a budget food option, today there are some extremely expensive pizzas out there that are out of reach for most people. One of the most expensive pizzas in the world, called “Louis XIII” and created by Italian chef Renato Viola, is priced at more than $12,000. It is made with exclusive ingredients such as caviar, lobster, truffles and edible gold. A real extravaganza for lovers of fancy pizza!
9. Its history as fast food
We add to the curious facts about pizza, its curious history as fast food. Although it is one of the most popular options in this category today, this was not always the case. Originally, pizza was cooked in wood-fired ovens, which required time and care to prepare properly. However, With the invention of the gas oven in the 19th century, pizza became faster and more accessible for mass consumption. Since then, it has become a popular choice in this field.
10. Pizza in virtual currencies
And we close this fun trip through the curiosities of pizza, telling you about its history as a bargaining chip. And it is that you cannot always pay for your favorite pizza with common money, and there is already a history of this. In fact, in 2013, A pizzeria in New York offered the option of paying with Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, as a form of payment for its pizzas. A delicious and modern way to transact!
And you, Did you know these fun pizza facts? Are you one of the lovers of this delicious dish? What is your favorite variant? Go ahead and leave us all your opinions in a comment. We will be happy to read you!