1. The Origins of the Pizza: Pizza’s history can be traced back to ancient times. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had their variations of this tasty dish, but it wasn’t until the late 18th century in Naples, Italy that pizza started to resemble the dish we know and love today.
2. The Margherita Pizza: Legend has it that the Margherita pizza was created in 1889, when a local pizza maker crafted a pizza representing the colors of the Italian flag for Queen Margherita – red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil.
3. Pi Day Celebration: Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14), which happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday as well. It’s a perfect day to indulge in some delicious pizza pie!
4. Most Popular Topping: Pepperoni reigns supreme as the most popular pizza topping in the United States, followed by sausage, mushrooms, and onions.
5. Word Origin: The word “pizza” is derived from the Latin word “pinsa,” meaning flatbread.
6. Largest Pizza Ever Made: The world record for the largest pizza ever made was set in Rome in 2012. This colossal pie measured 13,570 square feet (1,261 square meters) and was gluten-free!
7. Eating Habits: According to data collected by National Today, over 60% of people prefer thin crust pizza over deep dish or thick crust options.
8. World’s Fastest Pizza Maker: The world title for the fastest pizza maker is held by Bruno DiFabio – he can churn out a whopping 14 pizzas in just two minutes and 35 seconds!
9. How Much We Eat: On average, Americans consume approximately 350 slices of pizza per second or around 100 acres of pizza per day.
10. Most Expensive Pizza: The Louis XIII in Salerno, Italy, holds the record for the world’s most expensive pizza. This luxurious pie costs €8,300 (approx. $9,710) and includes toppings like lobster, caviar, and rare truffles.
11. First Pizzeria in America: The first pizzeria in the United States, Lombardi’s, was opened in New York City in 1905.
12. Frozen Pizza Revolution: The frozen pizza revolution began in 1957 when the first commercially available frozen pizza was launched by Celentano Brothers.
13. A Thriving Industry: Pizza is a $46 billion industry in the United States alone with over 75,000 pizzerias operating currently.
14. National Pizza Month: October has been designated as National Pizza Month since 1984, so mark your calendars and be sure to celebrate!
15. Popularity Around the Globe: Interestingly enough, pizza is consumed at a higher rate per capita in Norway than any other country – including Italy!
As Pi Day approaches, gather your friends and family for an unforgettable celebration with delicious pizza. After all, there’s no better way to learn fun facts than when you’re sharing a tasty bite!
