Pizza Facts

Pizza, the American food icon, which was actually developed in Italy thousand years ago, tops the list of foods in demand all over the world, since decades. Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, Papa John's are some of the leading pizza purveyors in the world today. People of America, France, England and Spain knew nothing about Pizza until second world war. Now, pizza is the second most popular takeout food (burger being the first) in the U.S. According to the food industry news, the growth rate of pizza has exceeded the growth rate of all other food service items, over the past five years, averaging about 11% a year. It has become the favorite dish of children as well as elderly people, all over the world.

Pizza Facts and History

• If the question 'where did pizza originate' is haunting you, here is the answer. Centuries before, Greek people used to bake large, round, flat breads which they topped with various items such as olive oils, spices, potatoes and other things. Eventually, the idea was picked up by the Italians. The flat breads were sold on the streets of Naples first, as they were cheap, filling and tasty.
• The first known pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria, was opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738. Find out who invented pizza.
• In about 1889, when Queen Margherita visited Naples, to honor the queen, a very special pizza, topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil (to represent the colors of the Italian flag: Red, white and green) was baked just for her. Thereafter Italian pizzas gained popularity.
• When American soldiers were stationed in Italy during second world war, a growing appreciation of pizza was noticed. The new generation now, might think that pizza is original American food!
• According to the available records, the first pizzeria in the United States was opened by Gennaro Lombardi in 1895 in New York City.
• During 1950s, pizza became popular as the Italian celebrities like Jimmy Durante, Jerry Colonna, Frank Sinatra and baseball star Joe DiMaggio enjoyed eating pizza.
• You won't believe perhaps, but the line from the song by famous singer, Dean Martin "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that amore" set America singing and eating pizzas.
• Now according to the official records, there are approximately 61,270 pizzerias in the United States, out of which, over 9,000 pizzerias are in New York alone.
• Italian food is the most popular ethnic food in America.
• 94% of the Americans love to eat pizza at least once a month.
• The number of pizzas sold in the U.S. each year is about 3 BILLION!
• The rate of eating pizza, of the people from the U.S. is around 350 SLICES/SECOND, amounting to 100 ACRES/DAY.
• The national pizza month is October.
• Pizza industry is a $ 30 BILLION industry.
• in Japan, people prefer pizza toppings with squid and Mayo Jaga (mayonaise, potato and bacon).
• In the U.S., about 40% people want their pizza topping to be pepperoni.
• In the U.S., the yearly consumption of pepperonis is said to be around 251,770,000 POUNDS!
• In India, people like pizza toppings with pickled ginger, minced mutton and tofu.
• Brazilians prefer green peas for their topping.
• In Russia, pizzas are served covered in mockba (a mix of sardines, tuna, mackerel, salmon and onions).
• Pizzerias constitute 17% of all U.S. restaurants.
• In the U.S., the chances of ordering vegetarian toppings are doubled when women, instead of men order the pizzas.

The above pizza facts and trivia were made available by the magazine, Pizza Today.

Pizza Nutritional Facts

Name of the Item	Serving Size	Calories	Calories from Fat	Total Fat	Saturated Fat	Cholesterol	Sodium	Carbohydrates	Fiber	Sugars	Proteins
Hand Tossed Beef Pizza	134 gm	330	153	17	5	25	880	29	3	1	16
Hand Tossed Pepperoni	106 gm	250	99	11	6	45	730	27	2	2	11
Hand Tossed Cheese Pizza	106 gm	240	90	10	5	10	650	28	2	1	12
Pan Chicken Supreme Pizza	128 gm	270	108	12	4	15	580	24	2	2	13

The above examples elaborately describe pizza calories and nutrition facts. If you are interested in homemade pizzas, you can search on the Internet. You will get numerous pizza recipes on the Internet. I am sure, by the time you finish reading these recipes, you may first want to order one! That is perhaps, one of the most important pizza facts!