The History of

Pizza
The history of pizza spans over a thousand years. Here are some delicious facts.

What is Pizza? Queen Margherita

Pizza is a type of flatbread that In 1889, the Italian queen, Queen

originates from Italy. The base of the
pizza is covered with tomato sauce
and almost any kind of topping can
then be added.
The Origin of the Word Pizza
The word Pizza comes from the
Latin root word 'picea', which means
blackening of bread by fire.
Margherita, was travelling across the
country. She noticed people eating a
round crusty bread and was curious
to try one. The queen thought it was
delicious and asked chef Rafaelle
Esposito to make her some. He
created one using ingredients to
match the colours of the Italian flag
(tomatoes, mozzarella and basil), this
became the queen's favourite and the
pizza was named after her.

Pizza Comes to South Africa

Who Invented the First Pizza?
The ancient Greeks were the first to
invent ‘pizza’. It was in the form of a
flatbread topped with oil and herbs.
Pizza was first introduced in South
Africa during the 18th century with
the arrival of Italian immigrants.
The world’s largest pizza was
made in Norwood Supermarket in
Johannesburg in 1990.

Fun Fact

National Pizza Day is 9th February!

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 The History of Pizza

Questions
1. Where does pizza originate from? Tick one.

Italy
Greece
America

2. True or False? Pizza is a type of flat, round bread or crust. 

True
False
3. Fill in the missing words.
The of the pizza is covered with tomato sauce and almost
any kind of topping.

4. What does the word ‘picea’ mean?




5. Who were the first people to invent pizza?




6. What did their pizza look like?




7. Which pizza was named after the Italian queen in 1889? Tick one.

neapolitan pizza
mozzarella pizza
margherita pizza

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 Questions - The History of Pizza

8. Fill in the missing words.

Pizza came to South Africa with the arrival of  immigrants.

9. Where was the the world’s largest pizza made?



10. When would you celebrate National Pizza Day? Tick one.

29th February
9th February
1st September

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 The History of Pizza

Answers
1. Where does pizza originate from? Tick one.

Italy
Greece
America

2. True or False? Pizza is a type of flat, round bread or crust. 

True
False
3. Fill in the missing words.
The base of the pizza is covered with tomato sauce and almost any kind of topping.

4. What does the word ‘picea’ mean?

Blackening of bread by fire.

5. Who were the first people to invent pizza?

The ancient Greeks

6. What did their pizza look like?

It was in the form of a flatbread topped with oil and herbs.

7. Which pizza was named after the Italian queen in 1889? Tick one.

neapolitan pizza
mozzarella pizza
margherita pizza

8. Fill in the missing words.

Pizza came to South Africa with the arrival of Italian immigrants.

9. Where was the the world’s largest pizza made?

In Norwood Supermarket in Johannesburg

10. When would you celebrate National Pizza Day? Tick one.

29th February
9th February
1st September

visit twinkl.co.za