90 Fascinating Facts About Pizza You Never Knew Existed!

Fun Facts About Pizza

Slice into Knowledge: Did you know that there are a ton of interesting facts about pizza that you probably haven’t heard before?

For example, did you know that the first pizzeria in the United States was opened by Italian immigrants in New York City in 1905?

Pizza is one of the most beloved foods in the world. With its delicious combination of toppings, crust, and cheese, it’s no wonder that pizza has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of people from all walks of life.

Or that pizza margherita was named after Queen Margherita of Savoy and its toppings were chosen to represent the colors of the Italian flag?

How about the fact that the International Space Station has a “space pizza” menu that includes toppings like olives, anchovies, and pepperoni?

These are just a few of the many fun and fascinating facts about pizza that we’ll be exploring in this blog post.

Whether you’re a die-hard pizza fan or just enjoy the occasional slice on a Saturday Night, we guarantee that you’ll learn something new and interesting about this iconic food.

History and Origins of Pizza

1 Pizza has a long and fascinating history, with its origins dating back to ancient civilizations.

2 However, it wasn’t until the 16th century in Naples, Italy that pizza as we know it today began to take shape.

3 The first pizza was a simple flatbread topped with tomato sauce, garlic, and olive oil, and it quickly became a popular street food in Naples.

4 As pizza became more popular, it spread to other parts of Italy and eventually to other parts of Europe.

5 However, it wasn’t until the late 19th century that pizza made its way to the United States.

6 In 1905, the first pizzeria in the US was opened by Italian immigrants in New York City, and it quickly became a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

7 One of the most iconic pizza varieties is the pizza margherita, which was created in Naples in 1889.

8 During World War II, pizza played an important role in feeding American soldiers stationed in Italy.

Pizza Around the World

9 Today, pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world, and it’s enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

10 In the United States, pizza is particularly popular on Super Bowl Sunday and New Year’s Eve/Day, with many people ordering pizzas to enjoy while watching football or ringing in the new year.

11 One of the most impressive pizza feats in history is the largest pizza ever made, which was created in Rome in 2012.

12 The pizza measured over 131 feet in diameter and weighed over 51,000 pounds!

13 Additionally, the Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest pizza maker is held by an American man named Brian Edler, who can make 14 pizzas in just two minutes.

14 Two of the largest pizza chains in the United States are Pizza Hut and Domino’s Pizza.

Both chains offer a wide variety of pizza flavors and toppings, as well as other menu items like wings and breadsticks.

15 Some of the most interesting pizza variations include Hawaiian pizza (which features ham and pineapple), deep-dish pizza (which has a thick crust), and stuffed crust pizza (which has cheese baked into the crust).

Pizza Fun Facts

16 Tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese are two of the most important ingredients in traditional pizza, and they remain popular toppings to this day.

17 The pizza principle, which states that pizzas ordered on any given day will have a total surface area of approximately 70 acres, is a testament to the popularity of this iconic food.

18 Some of the most interesting pizza toppings around the world include olive oil (which is popular in Italy), curry (which is popular in India), and boerewors (which is a type of sausage popular in South Africa).

19 In fact, South Africa is home to one of the world’s largest pizza chains, called Debonairs Pizza, which has over 600 locations across the country.

20 The International Pizza Expo is an annual event that attracts pizza professionals from around the world.

21 The expo features pizza-making competitions, workshops on pizza-making techniques, and seminars on the latest trends in the pizza industry.

22 It also has a focus on pizza delivery drivers and master pizza chefs, highlighting the importance of these roles in the pizza industry.

23 The Grocery store sells pizza along with other food products.

24 National Pizza Month is celebrated in October every year in the United States.

25 A typical large pizza is usually cut into eight slices.

26 The most expensive pizza in the world costs $12,000 and includes ingredients like lobster and caviar.

27 Pizza orders peak on Super Bowl Sunday and Halloween in the United States.

28 Alexandre Dumas, the famous French author, wrote about the pleasures of eating pizza in Naples.

29 The phrase “pizza” comes from the Latin word “picea,” meaning “black and burnt bread.”

30 Americans consume around 350 slices of pizza per second, or roughly 3 billion pizzas per year.

31 Thin crust pizza is a popular style in Italy and many other parts of the world.

32 Pizza originated in Southern Italy, particularly in Naples.

33 The first frozen pizza was invented in the United States in the 1950s.

34 Pizza dough typically contains flour, water, yeast, and salt.

35 Many people in the United States eat pizza on New Year’s Day as a way to start the year off on a delicious note.

Fascinating Facts About Pizza

36 Louis XIII of France once ordered a pizza topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and basil.

37 Saturday night is the most popular night of the week for pizza delivery.

38 Americans eat around 100 acres of pizza every day.

39 Patsy Lancieri is credited with introducing the coal-fired oven to the pizza-making process.

40 The Guinness World Record for the largest pizza ever made was set in South Africa in 1990.

41 The first pizza delivery man was employed by a pizzeria in the United States in 1889.

42 Tom Monaghan is the founder of Domino’s Pizza, one of the largest pizza chains in the world.

43 The average American eats around 23 pounds of pizza per year.

44 Dovilio Nardi, a pizza chef from Italy, set the world record for the longest pizza in 2016.

45 The most popular pizza topping in the United States is pepperoni.

46 A Russian cosmonaut once delivered a pizza to the International Space Station.

47 Modern pizza, as we know it today, originated in Naples in the 18th century.

48 The first people to add tomato to pizza were the Neapolitans in the late 18th century.

49 The first pizza place in the United States was Lombardi’s, which opened in New York City in 1905.

50 In a single week, Domino’s Pizza sells more than 1 million pizzas in the United States alone.

51 The ancient Greeks are said to have made flatbreads with toppings similar to pizza.

52 In the 18th century, the term “pizza” was used to refer to a sweet fruit tart.

53 Pizza is the favorite food of many people around the world.

54 The city of São Paulo in Brazil has the most pizza restaurants of any city in the world.

55 There have been instances of fake pizza deliveries used as a cover for criminal activity.

56 Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba in Naples is considered to be the world’s first pizzeria, dating back to 1738.

57 Michigan State University offers an advanced degree in pizza making.

58 Different toppings are popular in different parts of the world, such as kebab meat in Sweden and corn in Japan.

59 Cristian Dumitru of Romania holds the world record for most pizza eaten in one hour (over 200 slices!).

60 Heaven Scent Pizza in New Zealand offers a pizza topped with smoked eel, salmon, and cream cheese.

61 A study by the University of Michigan found that pizza can be as addictive as drugs.

62 San Marzano tomatoes, grown in Italy, are considered to be the best tomatoes for making pizza sauce.

63 Modern pizza: The modern pizza as we know it today originated in Naples, Italy in the 18th century.

64 First people: The ancient Greeks were the first to bake bread and add toppings, essentially creating the first pizza.

65 Neapolitan cuisine: Pizza is an essential part of Neapolitan cuisine, and the city is known for producing some of the best pizzas in the world.

66 First pizza place: Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, which opened in Naples in 1830, is believed to be the world’s first pizzeria.

67 Single week: Americans consume an estimated 350 slices of pizza per second, or 3 billion pizzas in a single week.

68 Special dough: Neapolitan-style pizzas are made with a special dough that requires specific ingredients and techniques, including hand-stretching and cooking in a wood-fired oven.

69 Favorite food: Pizza is the favorite food of 22% of Americans, beating out burgers and tacos.

70 Most pizza: The country that eats the most pizza per capita is Norway, followed closely by the United States.

71 Technical term: The official technical term for the outer edge of a pizza crust is “cornicione.”

72 Only pizza-themed superhero movie: The only pizza-themed superhero movie ever made is “Pizza Man,” released in 2011.

73 Neapolitan-style pizzas: Neapolitan-style pizzas are often smaller than other varieties, with a thin, soft crust and minimal toppings.

74 Deep dish: Deep dish pizza originated in Chicago in the 1940s and is characterized by its thick, doughy crust and generous amount of toppings.

75 Pizza restaurants: There are over 70,000 pizza restaurants in the United States alone.

76 Fake pizza deliveries: In order to reduce crime, some police departments have used fake pizza deliveries as a way to catch thieves.

77 Michigan State: Michigan State University offers an advanced degree in pizza, which teaches students about the history, culture, and business of pizza.

Fascinating Facts About Pizza

78 Different toppings: There are countless pizza toppings to choose from, ranging from classic toppings like pepperoni and mushrooms to more unique options like pineapple and barbecue chicken.

79 Cristian Dumitru of Romania: Cristian Dumitru of Romania holds the world record for the most pizzas made in 12 hours, with a total of 1,067 pizzas.

80 Heaven Scent Pizza: A pizza restaurant in the UK called “Heaven Scent Pizza” created a pizza with a topping of 24-karat gold flakes, which sold for over $2,000.

81 Jean-Claude Van Damme: Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme used to work as a pizza delivery driver before becoming famous.

82 French love: In France, the most popular pizza topping is not pepperoni or mushrooms, but ham and cheese.

83 Scientific evidence: According to scientific evidence, the scent of pizza can actually increase a person’s feelings of happiness and contentment.

84 San Marzano tomatoes: The best pizzas are made with San Marzano tomatoes, a type of tomato that is grown in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius in Italy.

85 Single year: Americans spend over $37 billion on pizza each year.

86 Colon cancer: Eating pizza may actually help reduce the risk of colon cancer, thanks to the lycopene found in tomato sauce.

87 Frankie Muniz: Actor Frankie Muniz once owned a pizza restaurant called “Outrageous Pizza.”

88 First time: The first time the word “pizza” was recorded in English was in 1825.

89 Pizza Today: “Pizza Today” is a magazine that covers the pizza industry and is read by pizza makers and enthusiasts around the world.

90 Overall, pizza is much more than just a delicious food. It has a rich history and cultural significance, and it continues to evolve and adapt to different tastes and preferences around the world.

Whether you prefer a classic margherita pizza or like to mix things up with unique toppings and flavors, there’s no denying the appeal of a good slice of pizza.

So the next time you order a pizza or make one at home, take a moment to appreciate the fascinating history and fun facts that make this beloved food so special.

And don’t forget to savor every delicious bite! Why note share your favorate pizza?