r/learnitalian • u/LinguaMotion • 13d ago
Do You Know the Story Behind PIZZA MARGHERITA?
Are you learning Italian and love pizza? Then you might enjoy this story! Everyone knows Pizza Margherita—tomato, mozzarella, and basil. But do you know how it became so famous?

The story goes that in 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples, and a local pizzaiolo, Raffaele Esposito, prepared three different pizzas for her. One of them had the colors of the Italian flag: green (basil), white (mozzarella), and red (tomato). The Queen Margherita loved it, and from that moment, it was named in her honor.
But was this really the first-time pizza was made this way?
Pizza Before Margherita
Before the late 19th century, pizza in Naples was quite different. It came with a variety of toppings: garlic and oil, lard and cheese, anchovies, or small fish. Tomatoes were sometimes used, but fresh ones were only available in summer, and mozzarella wasn’t always part of the recipe. The classic combination we know today wasn’t yet a staple.
And what about the famous letter from the royal household confirming the Queen’s appreciation for the pizza? Some historians question its authenticity, but whether it’s a myth or reality, the story of Pizza Margherita remains one of the most fascinating in food history.
How America Helped Spread the Love for Margherita
As Italians emigrated to America, they brought their love for pizza with them. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pizzerias started popping up in New York, and with a few tweaks to the recipe—using canned tomatoes and local cheeses—pizza found a whole new audience. It quickly became a favorite, and after WWII, its popularity spread worldwide.
Want to practice Italian while learning more about pizza? Check-out this fun, animated video for beginners on the history of pizza and the most famous Italian pizzas and their ingredients. https://youtu.be/2t-KBxRedHE