Pizza Was for the Poor?
40sThe surprising historical fact that pizza was originally poor people's food sparks curiosity and challenges common assumptions.
▶ Play ClipAI Summary
This video explores the historical origins of Neapolitan pizza, revealing that it was once considered food for the poor and was even disparaged by famous figures like Samuel Morse and Carlo Collodi. It also debunks the popular story of Queen Margherita's role in naming the pizza, suggesting it is likely a myth. The video concludes with a recipe for a Margherita pizza based on an 1860 description, offering a historically informed take on this classic dish.
Chapters
[00:01]
Pizza as Poor People's Food
In Naples, pizza was originally a meal for the poorest residents, often topped with pork fat, garlic, oil, and fish, though tomatoes and mozzarella were also popular.
[00:15]
Negative Perceptions in the 1800s
Tourists in the 1800s were not impressed by pizza. Samuel Morse described it as a disgusting cake covered with tomato sauce, and Carlo Collodi, author of Pinocchio, said it was often burnt and covered with ingredients that matched the seller's appearance.
[00:41]
The Queen Margherita Myth
The story of Queen Margherita declaring pizza with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil as her favorite is almost certainly false, but it remains a good story that explains the name of Pizza Margherita.
[01:08]
Historical Recipe
The video presents a Margherita pizza recipe based on an 1860 description, which is recognizable as pizza but differs from the modern version.
The video provides a fascinating look at pizza's humble beginnings and the likely myth behind its most famous variant, offering a historically grounded recipe for viewers to try.
Mentioned in this Video
Study Flashcards (5)
What was pizza originally considered in Naples?
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What was pizza originally considered in Naples?
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Food for the poorest residents.
00:01
Who described pizza as a disgusting cake covered with tomato sauce?
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Who described pizza as a disgusting cake covered with tomato sauce?
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Samuel Morse.
00:15
What did Carlo Collodi say about pizza?
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What did Carlo Collodi say about pizza?
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It was often burnt and covered with ingredients that matched the seller's appearance.
00:27
Is the story of Queen Margherita naming Pizza Margherita true?
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Is the story of Queen Margherita naming Pizza Margherita true?
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It is almost certainly false.
00:41
What year does the recipe for Margherita pizza in the video come from?
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What year does the recipe for Margherita pizza in the video come from?
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1860.
01:08
💡 Key Takeaways
📊
Pizza's Humble Origins
Reveals that pizza was once a poor man's meal, contrasting with its global popularity today.
00:01
📊
Historical Disdain
Shows how even famous figures like Samuel Morse and Carlo Collodi held pizza in low regard.
00:15
💡
Debunking the Margherita Myth
Challenges a widely believed story about the origin of Pizza Margherita.
00:41
🔧
Historical Recipe
Provides a practical way to experience pizza as it was in the 19th century.
01:08Full Transcript
[00:01] была едой для бедняков? Для богатых существовала пицца, но это, больше похожая на современный чизкейк. Но пиццу в том виде, в каком мы её знаем лаццарони, самые бедные жители города. И часто сверху добавляли
[00:15] свиной жир, чеснок, масло и немного рыбы, хотя нарезанные помидоры и моцарелла тоже пользовались популярностью. И хотя сегодня люди едут в Неаполь только для того, чтобы попробовать местную пиццу, туристы в 1800-х годах были от нее не в восторге. Сэмюэл
[00:27] Морзе, прославившийся благодаря азбуке Морзе, описал пиццу как разновидность самого отвратительного торта, покрытого ломтиками томатного соуса или помидоров. В целом, это выглядит как из канализации, и от него ужасно пахнет. А автор « Пиноккио», Карло Коллоди, говорил, что
[00:41] пицца часто бывает подгоревшей дочерна и покрытой ингредиентами, которые придают ей идеально гармонирующей с внешним видом продавца. Вероятно, именно такое низкое мнение о пицце среди высшего общества объясняет, почему история о королеве Маргарите Итальянской,
[00:55] назвавшей пиццу с моцареллой, помидорами и базиликом своей любимой, получила широкое распространение. Конечно, эта история почти наверняка неправда, по крайней мере, в том виде, в котором её рассказывает всё же это хорошая история, и она хотя бы объясняет, как пицца «Маргарита» получила
[01:08] мой вариант пиццы «Маргарита» основан на описании 1860 года. от современного варианта, он всё ещё узнаваем как пицца и так же раньше пицца была едой только для бедных , сегодня это еда абсолютно для
[01:23] Полное видео об истории неаполитанской пиццы выложено на YouTube, а Neapolitan pizza is up on YouTube, and this recipe is at tastinghistory.com.
