Neapolitan pizza: an experience that changed my perception of pizza
Think you’ve had pizza? Wait until you order one in Naples, the birthplace of pizza. It will be a whole new experience, believe me.
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Birthplace of pizza
The story goes that the first archetypal pizza, the pizza Margherita, was made in 1889. Back then, pizza was typically eaten by poor people and was only topped with tomato and garlic, more or less like today’s pizza Marinara.
In 1889 Italy’s Queen was coming to visit Naples. Raffaele Esposito, the best pizza-maker of that time, was requested to prepare a pizza for this special occasion. Esposito, however, deemed the garlic topping to be unfit for her highness and thought of something new. He was inspired by the colors of the Italian flag. He came up with a pizza with basil (green), mozzarella (white), and fresh tomatoes (red). To honor the queen, Esposito named the pizza after her: Margherita.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Since the nineteenth century, the Neapolitans have raised pizza-making to an art form. In 1984 the most important Neapolitan pizza-makers even wrote down the fundamental rules. They did this to recognize and differentiate the authentic Neapolitan pizza from any other type of pizza. The rules describe how a Neapolitan pizza should look, the ingredients, the preparations, and how the pizza should be baked. In 2017 this way of Neapolitan pizza making achieved a world heritage status. It was added to UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage.
Where to eat?
Pizzerias that make true Neapolitan pizza can join the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN). You can recognize these pizzerias by the AVPN logo (and their member number) on the facade. Visiting these pizzerias often comes with a price, especially during high tourist season. The pizza itself is really cheap, but you have to stand in line to get inside. During my last visit, I waited for more than 1,5 hours! This sounds (and is) crazy, but believe me, the pizzas are worth it!
You can’t leave Naples without tasting a Neapolitan pizza yourself. One of my favorites and perhaps the most famous pizzerias in Naples is L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, or simply Da Michele. Even though this pizzeria is not a member of the AVPN, their pizzas are absolutely delicious! What is your favorite pizzeria in Naples? Let me know in the comments.