Have you ever asked a question that sounded so simple to you, but you weren’t able to get a straight answer? It can be one of the most frustrating aspects of conversation! However, just because a question is easy to ask – and thinking that it might be easily answered – doesn’t mean that it’s simple to dissect. This statement couldn’t be more true when it comes to the origins of one of the world’s most popular foods in pizza. Many countries have tried to put their claim to inventing it, but who is actually right? We attempt to solve the mystery of the origins of pizza below!
Is It From Italy?
When you try to research the question of where pizza truly originated from, you’ll be met with a lot of conflicting answers. The most common answer out there is that pizza first originated in Naples, Italy. However, is that really true? Let’s look at some facts: Naples was one of the first Italian cities to spring up, having thought to be founded in the early 6000s B.C.. However, the earliest records of people eating pizza actually go back further than that! There are records of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians eating the first pizzas. Since these kingdoms existed before Naples did, pizza didn’t truly originate in Naples!
The Argument For The Middle East
Now that we’ve eliminated Naples as the true origin point of the first pizzas, it’s time to move up to the next rung of the ladder in the empires that came before it. As we mentioned, pizza was a popular staple in ancient Greece and Rome, situated further east than where Naples is located. Pizza became very popular over there because it was easy to make – all you needed was a mud oven! This helped to make pizza a food of convenience, which is part of what makes it so popular.
The Distinction
The true origins of pizza stretch back far further than what most sources will tell you. However, there’s something important that they’re leaving out: the makeup of the pizza! Naples is actually the birthplace of modern-day pizza as opposed to pizza itself. This is because the first pizzas that were consumed were flatbreads. The ancient Greeks and Romans would put a variety of unique toppings on their flatbreads, and Naples revitalized the recipe with ingredients that are more commonly found today.
Pizza at Quattro
If all this talk about pizza is making you hungry, satisfy your cravings at Quattro! We specialize in a variety of different brick oven pizzas that give a smoky taste you won’t find in other establishments. For the most unique and delicious pizza experience you can find in Boston, click here to make a reservation with us!