1. **Ancient Roots**: Pizza has ancient origins, tracing back to flatbreads topped with ingredients like garlic and herbs in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
2. **Italian Innovation**: The modern pizza as we know it today originated in Naples, Italy, in the 18th century. It was a simple dish made of flatbread topped with tomatoes, cheese, oil, garlic, and basil, resembling the colors of the Italian flag.
3. **Variety**: Pizza comes in various styles, including Neapolitan, New York-style, Chicago deep-dish, Sicilian, and more. Each style has its unique characteristics in terms of crust thickness, toppings, and baking method.
4. **Global Phenomenon**: Pizza is one of the most popular foods worldwide. It has transcended cultural boundaries and is enjoyed in nearly every corner of the globe.
5. **Hawaiian Controversy**: The Hawaiian pizza, topped with pineapple and ham, remains a subject of debate among pizza enthusiasts. It was invented in Canada by a Greek immigrant named Sam Panopoulos in the 1960s.
6. **Pizza Margherita**: Named after Queen Margherita of Italy, the Pizza Margherita is a classic Neapolitan pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, salt, and extra-virgin olive oil.
7. **Big Business**: The pizza industry is massive, with billions of dollars in revenue generated annually worldwide. It’s not only dominated by big chains but also by countless independent pizzerias.
8. **Creative Toppings**: While traditional toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, and sausage are popular, pizza has seen a surge in creative and unconventional toppings in recent years, including arugula, truffle oil, figs, and even eggs.
9. **Guinness World Record**: The largest pizza ever made measured 1261.65 square meters (13,580.28 square feet). It was prepared in Rome, Italy, in 2012.
10. **National Pizza Month**: In the United States, October is celebrated as National Pizza Month, highlighting the love and appreciation for this beloved dish.