{"id":7024,"date":"2026-03-15T16:19:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T05:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orderoo.com.au\/blog\/?p=7024"},"modified":"2026-03-15T16:35:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T06:05:55","slug":"history-of-pizza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orderoo.com.au\/blog\/history-of-pizza\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Pizza: From Ancient Flatbreads to a Global Favourite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pizza is one of the most widely loved foods in the world. Whether enjoyed at a neighbourhood restaurant, ordered for a casual dinner, or shared among friends and family, pizza has become a global favourite. Its simple combination of dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings allows endless variations, making it one of the most adaptable dishes ever created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the story of pizza goes back much further than modern restaurants and takeaway menus. The pizza we know today evolved over centuries, shaped by ancient cooking traditions, Italian culture, and global migration. Understanding the history of pizza reveals how a humble dish became an international culinary icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Early Origins: Ancient Flatbreads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The origins of pizza can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilisations that prepared flatbreads topped with various ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ancient cultures such as the Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans<\/strong> commonly baked flatbreads and often added ingredients like herbs, oils, cheese, and garlic. These early dishes were not exactly the same as modern pizza, but they shared a similar concept of bread served with toppings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the ancient Greeks prepared flatbreads known as plakous<\/em>, which were topped with ingredients like herbs, onions, and cheese. The Romans also enjoyed dishes similar to flatbread with toppings. These early meals were practical, affordable, and easy to prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical accounts<\/a> note that early versions of pizza developed from ancient flatbreads eaten in Mediterranean cultures, long before modern pizza appeared in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Birthplace of Modern Pizza: Naples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although flatbreads existed long before pizza, the modern form of pizza originated in Naples, Italy<\/strong>, during the 18th and 19th centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At that time, Naples was one of Europe\u2019s largest and busiest cities. Much of the population consisted of working-class residents who needed inexpensive and quick meals. Street vendors began selling flatbreads topped with ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and occasionally cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomatoes had only recently been introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century. Initially, many Europeans believed tomatoes were unsafe to eat, but over time they became a key ingredient in Italian cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Naples, tomatoes quickly became a common topping for flatbread, helping to create the early versions of the pizza we know today. These simple pizzas were affordable, filling, and easy to eat on the go, making them especially popular among workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Story of Pizza Margherita<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Classic Margherita pizza inspired by the colours of the Italian flag.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most famous stories in pizza history involves the creation of Pizza Margherita<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to traditional accounts, in 1889 the Italian royal family visited Naples. A local pizza maker named Raffaele Esposito<\/strong> was asked to prepare pizzas for Queen Margherita of Savoy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Esposito reportedly created a pizza featuring three simple ingredients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n