Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering journey through 50 fascinating facts about pizzas. From its humble origins to worldwide popularity, this list uncovers the intriguing history, cultural significance, and surprising trivia surrounding this beloved dish. Whether you're a pizza enthusiast or simply curious about the iconic cheesy delight, these facts will leave you craving a slice and appreciating the pizza's global impact.
Here's a list of 50 interesting facts about pizza we've compiled for you:
50. Pizzas originated in Naples, Italy, in the late 18th century.
49. The word "pizza" comes from the Italian word "pizzicare," meaning "to pinch or pluck."
48. The first documented pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, opened in Naples in 1738.
47. The Margherita pizza was named after Queen Margherita of Italy in 1889.
46. The most expensive pizza ever made was worth $12,000 and included caviar and gold leaf.
45. The world's largest pizza was made in Rome in 2012, measuring over 13,580 square feet.
44. The fastest pizza maker in the world can make 14 pizzas in 2 minutes and 35 seconds.
43. The first pizza delivery service was established in 1889 in Naples.
42. The most popular pizza topping in the United States is pepperoni.
41. Hawaiian pizza, topped with pineapple and ham, was invented in Canada, not Hawaii.
40. The world's longest pizza delivery was over 13,000 miles, from Melbourne to Perth in Australia.
39. The world record for the largest collection of pizza boxes is over 1,500 boxes.
38. The world's largest pizza party took place in South Africa, with over 6,000 attendees.
37. The Guinness World Record for the most pizzas made in 24 hours is 11,377.
36. The average American consumes around 23 pounds of pizza per year.
35. The first frozen pizza was invented in 1951 by the Celentano brothers in New Jersey.
34. The largest pizza chain in the world is Domino's Pizza, with over 17,000 locations.
33. Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust and layers of cheese and toppings.
32. The world's most expensive pizza box was sold for $2,000 and was made of gold.
31. The world's largest pizza dough stretch measured over 130 feet in length.
30. The first pizza box with a built-in table was created in 2010, allowing customers to eat directly from the box.
29. The most popular pizza size in the United States is a 14-inch diameter.
28. The world's largest pizza oven can cook over 6,000 pizzas in one hour.
27. The world's first pizza museum, Pizza Brain, opened in Philadelphia in 2012.
26. The record for the most cheese on a pizza is over 3,000 pounds.
25. The first pizza-themed emoji was added to the Unicode Standard in 2017.
24. The largest pizza delivery chain in India, Domino's, offers vegetarian-only pizzas due to cultural preferences.
23. The world's one of the largest pizza franchises, Pizza Hut, was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas.
22. The first pizza to be delivered to space was in 2001 to the International Space Station.
21. The world's largest pizza trade show, Pizza Expo, takes place annually in Las Vegas.
20. The oldest family-owned pizzeria in the United States is Lombardi's in New York City, established in 1905.
19. The record for the most expensive pizza box ever sold at auction is $8,000.
18. The world's largest pizza dough toss measured over 54 feet in diameter.
17. The record for the most people simultaneously making pizzas is over 2,000.
16. The world's largest pizza mosaic was created in Milan, Italy, using over 17,000 pizzas.
15. The first ever online pizza order was placed in 1994 by Pizza Hut.
14. The most popular day for pizza delivery in the United States is Super Bowl Sunday.
13. The world's largest pizza cutter measures over 6 feet in length.
12. The record for the most expensive pizza ever sold commercially is $12,000.
11. The world's largest pizza festival, Pizza Village, takes place annually in Naples, Italy.
10. The first pizzeria in the United States, Lombardi's, was licensed by the city of New York in 1905.
9. Another one of the world's longest pizza delivery route is also over 13,000 miles, from Edinburgh to Cape Town.
8. The world's largest pizza cookbook contains over 1,000 pizza recipes.
7. The largest pizza dough ball weighed over 9,900 pounds.
6. The world's largest pizza box measured over 54 feet in length.
5. The record for the most expensive pizza ever sold at a charity auction is $75,000.
4. The world's largest pizza dough stretch was achieved by a team of 10 people in Italy.
3. The world's largest pizza chain, Domino's, started as a small pizzeria called DomiNick's in Michigan.
2. The record for the most consecutive pizza deliveries made in 24 hours is 5,500.
1. The world's largest pizza festival, Pizza Fest, takes place annually in Naples, Italy.