National Pizza Week: Pizza's Origins from Ancient to Modern Times

Pizza, the beloved dish that transcends time, holds a special place in the hearts of us Americans. Day or night, the craving for pizza is met with enthusiasm, showing our nation's enduring love for this culinary delight. To truly appreciate this passion, let's trace back to the origins, where early Egyptians and Greeks may have crafted the earliest versions of what we now know as pizza.

For these ancient civilizations, pizza was a simple flatbread adorned with olive oil, herbs, and spices. Later, the culinary influences of Greece and Egypt were absorbed into the Roman Empire. In the heart of Rome, the early Romans adapted the pizza recipe, marking a deviation from its original form.

Not much changed about pizza for thousands of years until World War II. During the Allied Forces' occupation of Italy, American soldiers immersed themselves in the local cuisine, developing a particular fondness for pizza. When the war ended, they brought this newfound love and the recipe back to the United States. Before this era, pizza was primarily enjoyed by Italian immigrants and a select few who were in the know.

The 1950s witnessed an explosion in pizza consumption as the recipe gained widespread popularity. Pizza stalls dotted every street, marking a cultural shift in American dining. Today, reports suggest an astounding statistic – 350 slices or 40whole pizzas are devoured every second!

We Americans truly made pizza our own, while still paying homage to pizza’s Italian origins. Fiero Group Pavesi pizza ovens are made in Italy using clay infused with volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius. This volcanic ash-infused clay imparts a delightful flavor to pizza.

Pressing pizza dough using DoughXpress equipment gives consistency that busy pizza operations need. Pizza chains also rely on prep tables made by Randell or Hoshizaki to keep toppings organized and within reach. The Randell Cheeser Station is specifically designed to ensure consistency of cheese toppings and to help reduce food waste.

To efficiently bake your pizzas, try American Metalcraft pans and peels. And once your pizza is cooked, American Metalcraft cheese and pepper shakers and pizza stands help your customers grab and customize their perfect slice. To keep your pizzas on display and at safe temperatures, use Hatco’s Flav-R-Savor to ensure crust stays crispy until someone buys that slice.  

Happy National Pizza Week! If you’re a pizza operator looking to upgrade your equipment, reach out to us and one of our sales reps will be happy to do a consultation for you.