The Legend of Pizza Margherita in Naples

Pizza is the most beloved and widespread Italian culinary creation.

The legend of pizza Margherita

Queen Margherita decided it was time to try the Neapolitans' favourite dish: pizza.

So the royal couple decided to have someone come to the palace and cook for them. Raffaele Esposito was the "pizzajuolo" invited to the palace by the Savoy monarchs.

He went to the palace with his wife and cooked his pizzas in the old Capodimonte oven. The first was with oil, cheese and basil; the second with cecenielli; and the third with tomato sauce and mozzarella, to which Maria Giovanna decided to add fresh basil leaves.

The queen was especially pleased with the last one. After tasting it, she asked the pizza maker what the pizza was called, and Esposito had the brilliant idea of naming it "Margherita".

Pizza Margherita: UNESCO intangible cultural heritage

In 2017 the art of Neapolitan pizza-making was honoured with intangible cultural heritage status by UNESCO.

UNESCO recognition is not only a source of pride, but also an official and global celebration of the values of the Mediterranean diet.

Pizza variations in the north and south of Italy

Northern and southern Italian pizza differ significantly: southern pizza has a soft, pliable crust, while northern pizza has a thin and crisp one. Pizza is generally sold whole in Italy; in the south, in Rome and in Sicily, pizza al taglio ("by the cut") is also popular, baked in a sheet pan with a variety of toppings and sold cut into long rectangles.

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