31 Delicious Fun Facts About Pizza

Pizza is more than just a food – it’s a cultural phenomenon. Loved by millions worldwide, this simple dish has captured our hearts and taste buds with its endless possibilities and comforting flavours. But how much do you really know about pizza?

In this article, we’ve compiled 31 delicious fun facts about pizza that will satisfy your hunger for knowledge and your appetite for this beloved dish. From its ancient origins to modern-day innovations, join us on a journey through pizza’s history, culture, and science.

Amazing Fun Facts About Pizza

Learn fascinating facts about one of the world’s most popular foods! Grab a slice and join us on a journey through pizza’s history, culture, and science.

• The world’s largest pizza was made by YouTuber Eric Decker and Pizza Hut. It measured 14,000 square feet, used over 13,000 pounds of dough, 4,948 pounds of sweet marinara sauce, over 8,800 pounds of cheese, and had around 630,496 pieces of pepperoni. It was baked in pieces on-site at the Los Angeles Convention Center and declared as the world’s largest pizza by Guinness World Records.
• The word “pizza” comes from the Italian word “pizzaiuolo,” which means “pizza maker.” Pizza has been a staple food in Italy since the 16th century and over time it has spread around the world and become one of the most popular foods.
• The Margherita pizza was named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, who visited Naples in 1889 and loved the pizza that was made for her. The pizza was made with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves to represent the colours of the Italian flag.
• Hawaiian pizza was actually invented in Canada, not in Hawaii. It was created by a Greek-Canadian chef in 1962 who combined pineapple, ham, and bacon on a pizza.
• The longest pizza ever made was over 1.3 miles long, and was created in California in 2017. The pizza required 5,000 pounds of dough, 3,600 pounds of cheese, and 1,200 pounds of tomato sauce.
• In Japan, you can order a pizza with a fried chicken crust from Pizza Hut. The crust is made with fried chicken instead of traditional pizza dough and is topped with cheese and tomato sauce.
• Pizza was first served in Italy in the late 18th century, but it was more like a flatbread than the pizza we know today. The first pizza was called “pizza alla marinara” and was topped with tomato, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.
• The most expensive pizza in the world costs $12,000 and is topped with caviar, lobster, and gold flakes. The pizza was created by a chef in the UK and requires 72 hours to prepare.
• The world record for the most pizzas made in one hour by a team is an impressive 1,500! The record was achieved by Dovilio Nardi, Stefano Cioccari, and Matteo Giannotte from NIP Food in Italy, at Luneur Park in Rome on June 13, 2017.
• The average American eats 46 slices of pizza per year. That’s equivalent to consuming 23 pounds of pizza per person per year.
• In 2001, Pizza Hut became the first pizza chain to deliver pizza to space. The company sent a pizza to the International Space Station via a Russian cargo ship.
• In Australia, there is a pizza with kangaroo meat as a topping. The pizza is called “The Coat of Arms” and also features emu meat, both are the national animals of Australia.
• The world’s largest collection of pizza boxes belongs to Scott Wiener, who has over 1,000 different pizza boxes from around the world in his collection. Wiener is the founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours, which offers guided tours of New York City’s best pizzerias.
• In 2019, a pizzeria in Florida broke the world record for the largest pizza party by hosting a party that served 6,338 slices of pizza to attendees.

Interesting & Unusual Facts About Pizza

• Pizza is the second most popular fast food in the United States, following closely behind burgers. Americans eat an estimated 3 billion pizzas every year with the average person consuming about 23 pounds of pizza per year.
• The first pizzeria in the United States was Lombardi’s, which opened in New York City in 1905. The restaurant is still in operation today and is considered by many to be one of the best pizzerias in the world.
• The largest pizza chain in the world is Pizza Hut, with over 18,000 locations in more than 100 countries. The company was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and has since become one of the most recognizable fast-food brands in the world.
• In 2017, a group of scientists successfully grew wheat on the International Space Station with the goal of eventually making pizza in space. The experiment was designed to test the feasibility of growing food in space and could lead to the development of space-based agriculture.
• The oldest pizza recipe on record dates back to 1830 and is for a pizza with tomato, mozzarella, and anchovy toppings. Pizza has evolved over the years, with new toppings and variations being added all the time.
• The first pizza delivery was made in 1889 when a pizzeria in Naples delivered a pizza to Queen Margherita of Savoy. The pizza was made to represent the colours of the Italian flag, with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
• The most popular pizza topping in the United States is pepperoni, followed by mushrooms, onions, sausage and bacon. Other popular toppings include olives, peppers, and pineapple.
• The world’s first pizza vending machine was created in Italy in 2009. The machine, which is called “Let’s Pizza” can make a fresh pizza in just 3 minutes and offers a variety of toppings to choose from.
• In Italy, there is a pizza museum called the Museo della Pizza that features exhibits on the history and culture of pizza.
• There is a town in Pennsylvania called “Pizza” that was named after a local pizzeria.
• The world’s largest pizza box was created in South Africa in 2017 and measured 54 square meters. The box was large enough to fit a pizza that measured 3 meters in diameter.
• In some parts of the world, pizza is served for breakfast. In Australia, for example – breakfast pizzas are often topped with eggs, bacon, and tomatoes.
• In 2017, a pizzeria in New York City created a pizza that was shaped like a slice of pizza. The pizza slice-shaped pizza was topped with cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperoni.
• In Naples, Italy there is a pizza certification program called “Vera Pizza Napoletana” that certifies pizzerias that follow traditional Neapolitan pizza-making techniques.
• The first frozen pizza was created in 1951 by the Celentano brothers, who owned a small pizzeria in New Jersey.
• The world record for the longest pizza delivery was set in 2017 by a team of drivers who delivered a pizza that was 1,930 miles long, from Melbourne to Perth in Australia.
• Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is so popular that it has its own annual festival, called the Chicago Pizza Summit.

That’s it for this post on fun facts about pizza! We hope you enjoyed learning about the origins, varieties, and record-breaking feats of this beloved dish. From the world’s largest pizza to the most expensive slice, pizza never fails to surprise and delight us.

Whether you’re a fan of classic Margherita or experimental toppings, there’s no denying the appeal of a hot, cheesy pizza. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to grab a slice (or a whole pie) the next time you’re craving some pizza!

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