The Pizza Sola Blog

We know pizza is one of the most popular foods. We’ve done a blog on its history. And we serve it up – fresh and yummy - every day. So, we know our pizza….but even we were surprised by some of these fun pizza facts!

So, here’s sharing some awesome trivia facts. Category? Pizza!

The Margherita Pizza was named after a Queen.

Approximately 3 billion pizzas are sold each year in the United States…and that may be a low-ball estimate!

Popular international toppings include, but are not limited to: pickled ginger, minced mutton, and tofu in India, squid and Mayou Jaga (mayonnaise, potato and bacon) in Japan, curry in Pakistan, and green peas in Brazil. In Russia, they serve pizza covered with mockba, which is a combination of sardines, tuna, mackerel, salmon and onions. Red herring is also popular in Russia. In France, a popular combo is called the Flambee, with bacon, onion and fresh cream. Australians enjoy shrimp and pineapple on their pizzas; while Costa Ricans favor coconut. Yup — coconut on pizza!

America’s first known pizza served was in New York in the year 1905.

Americans eat approximately 100 acres of pizza each day!

93% of Americans eat at least one pizza per month.

The number one day for U.S. pizza consumption is Super Bowl Sunday, and second is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving — which is also one of the biggest drinking nights of the year!

Pepperoni is the favorite topping in the U.S.

Pizza is one of the “most-craved” foods in America. Also on the list? Cheese, chocolate, and ice cream.

For more fun pizza facts, check out this infographic!

~~ Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Pizza. We accept it as a staple of our culture, but did you ever wonder where it all began?

The history of pizza is an interesting one.

Pizza. You’d think it’s been around forever….and you’d be correct. Historically speaking, pizza is a type dish that has existed since time immemorial in both Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. By the year 997, the term had appeared in Medieval Latin, and in 16th century Naples, flatbread was referred to as a pizza.

Back then, it was a dish of poor people, sold in the streets and not really considered a standard recipe for a long time thereafter. Before the 17th century pizza was covered with red sauce and then eventually replaced by oil, tomatoes or fish.

In June 1889, to honor the Queen consort ofItaly, Margherita of Savoy, the Neapolitan chef RaffaeleEsposito created the now-popular ”Pizza Margherita,” a pizzamade with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, to represent the colors of the Italian flag. A fun fact? He was the first guy to add cheese. (THANK YOU for that!)

However, the sequence of events through which the earlyflavored flatbreads of ancient and medieval Mediterranean became the typical pizza dish popularized in the 20th century is not really fully understood.

One thing’s for sure – everyone from college students to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, from suburbanites to cultured foodies, can appreciate a good slice of pizza. Whether traditional or gourmet, pizza is here to stay. So stop by Pizza Sola for the best slice in the ‘Burgh!

~~ Ashley Boynes-Shuck

 

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We may be known for Thin New York Style pizza in Pittsburgh, but that certainly doesn't mean that's all we're good for. The Sicilian Style Pizza, also known as Sfincione (or Sfinciuni in Sicilian language), ortiginated in Palermo, Italy. This is slightly different than the Neapolitan pizzas most Americans are familiar with. For one, Sicilian pizza is rectangular, and while Neapolitan pizza is known for being very thin, Sicilian pizza is 1/2 to 1 inch or more thick but as Pizza Purists it is one of our favorite ways to enjoy fresh toppings. More »

Their Greek style of pizza comes from a love of freshness, flavor contrast and that “just right” feeling that Greek food gives to all pizza lovers. More »