Let's Dive into the Background of Pizza

Pizza is one of the most delicious and popular foods in the world! But how did pizza become so popular? And what was it like when it was first created? The following guide will help you find out more about the unique and surprisingly long history of pizza!

Flatbreads: The Earliest Forms of Pizza
The earliest forms of pizza were not exactly like the modern pizzas that people enjoy today. Pizzas origins lie in recipes that date as far back as ancient Greece. These early recipes involved combining leavened, flat bread which had toppings--including cheese. For instance, there are records from around the 6th century BC which record flatbreads being baked with cheeses and dates; and the ancient Greek dish plakous was a type of flat bread which was topped with onions, cheese, garlic and other herbs.

Naples: The Birthplace of Modern Pizza
Of course, these flatbreads and leavened breads with cheese and other toppings might not be considered pizza today, especially since they lacked one key element that is essential in any pizza style today: sauce. So when did pizza start becoming the pizza that we know and love today? 

For that, we need to look to the 1500s. In the 16th century, a dish called "pizza" began to pop up in the city of Naples, Italy. This dish was a street recipe that was initially similar to the earlier flatbreads mentioned here, as it was made with a flatbread topped with cheese and herbs.

However, sometime in the 1600s or 1700s, tomatoes finally entered into the world of pizza. Tomatoes were brought to Europe from the Americas, and as tomatoes spread throughout Europe, they eventually became easily accessible in Italy. 

Tomatoes were used to make tomato sauce, which were added to the classic Naples street dish “pizza,” and history was made. 

The earliest Naples pizza was dubbed Marinara, and was created in 1734. This pizza dish included tomato, oregano, olive oil and garlic--but no cheese. Another historical Naples pizza was dubbed the Margherita, which was created around the end of the 18th century or the early 19th century. The Margherita pizza was made with tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese. 

Pizzas became a staple in Naples soon after. In 1807, there were 54 pizzerias in the city; by the end of the 19th century, this figure had doubled to 120 pizzerias. Naples became so known for its pizza dish that the dish was served to visiting dignitaries and even royalty. 

Still, these historical pizzas were not exactly like the modern pizza we enjoy today: they were often fairly sweet, usually due to ingredients added to the dough. 

Modern Pizza Evolution 
Over time, pizza lost its “sweet” origins and became a traditionally savory dish. As other countries became to incorporate European dishes into their own cultures, pizza went from being something exclusive to Italy and took on a life of its own. 

In North America, variations of pizza with non-traditional toppings like pepperoni, bacon and pineapple became a staple; American-style pizzas with large amounts of cheese when compared to their Italian counterparts also took hold, creating an entirely new genre of pizza.

Regardless of what type of pizza is your favorite, one thing is for certain: pizza has come a long way since ancient Greece!

If you are ever near the Poconos and find yourself craving pizza, check out the Pocono Brewery Company, home of the best pizza in the Poconos.