Pizza History

Today we know pizza as an Italian creation, however, it said that the early Greeks were first to bake large, round flat bread, and cover it with oil, herbs, and dates. Also, ancient Middle Eastern cultures have been eating flat unleavened bread for centuries. The story of the Italian baker, Raffaele Esposito, that made a special pizza for King Umberto I and Queen Margherita in the late 1800s with the intent to impress them and show his patriotism is very interesting.

It is said that the Queen and her husband had taken a tour to inspect their Italian Kingdom, during that time the Queen noticed the people and peasants eating large flat bread. Intrigued, she ordered her guards to bring her this bread, which she tasted and loved. Queen Margherita then began eating the flat bread while in the company of the people. It was uncommon and unacceptable for royalty to eat peasants food, never the less, Queen Margherita called for Chef Rafaelle Esposito, and ordered him to bake pizzas for her.

Rafaelle Esposito of Naples set out to impress the Queen, and show his patriotism. He made a special pizza to resemble the Italian flag. He covered his flat bread, pizza, with red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil. It is said that this patriotic pizza was an instant success, Queen Margherita loved it so much that it quickly became popular, and Chef Rafaelle Esposito named his famous patriotic pizza the Margherita Pizza in honor of the Queen.

Although, there are many theories about the online games origin of pizza there is absolute agreement that American pizza, as we know it today, is credited to Chef Rafaelle Esposito of Naples. There is no doubt that the Pizza Margherita style was brought to the United States by the old world Italian immigrants.