Chew on Some History with the Margherita Pizza

Any restaurant that serves pizza—especially traditional wood-fired pizza—will offer the classic Margherita pizza. Its appeal is in its simplicity, topped with only three fresh ingredients: mozzarella, tomato, and basil. In addition to being a delicious classic, this pizza also has a fascinating history, in part due to the origins of Margherita pizza in particular and of pizza itself, which go back to ancient times. At Border Brewery, we love our Margherita pizza, and we think you will, too!

 

Join us at Border Brewery while we chew on the history of the Margherita pizza.

 

Royal Endorsement

The story begins in 1889 in Naples, Italy, when Queen Margherita of Savoy visited the city. Italy had recently become a unified nation and Queen Margherita was traveling throughout the country with her husband, King Uberto I. To honor the royal visit, renowned pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito crafted a pizza that represented the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This patriotic tribute not only delighted the queen but also secured the pizza’s place in culinary history. Queen Margherita loved the pizza so much that it still bears her name and elevated pizza from local cuisine to a national phenomenon.

 

Simple Beginnings

Despite the royal connections of the Margherita pizza, the roots of pizza extend far beyond one queen’s endorsement. Flatbreads topped with various ingredients date back to ancient civilizations. The Greeks had their own version, topped with olive oil and herbs, while the Romans enjoyed a similar dish known as focaccia, a type of flatbread bakers still make today. It was the Neapolitans, however, who perfected the art of pizza-making, giving us the combination of ingredients that we know and love as pizza today.

 

Immigrant Traditions

As Italian immigrants spread across the globe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought their culinary traditions with them. When Italian immigrants settled in America, pizza changed somewhat to adapt to the available ingredients and the influences of other culinary traditions. Margherita pizza, however, remained largely unchanged because it’s hard to improve upon perfection, especially when it’s so simple.

 

Enjoy Margherita Pizza at Border Brewery!

If you want to taste the simple perfection of Margherita pizza, come to Border Brewery! We bring this classic Italian staple to Salem, NH, with our delicious pizza menu. You’ll also have to try our BBQ specialties and our house-made beer for the full Border Brewery experience!

 

Visit us at 224 North Broadway in Salem, NH, or order online.

pizza shops

More Pizza Stats: America’s Least Favorite Toppings

margherita pizza near me

Chew on Some History with the Margherita Pizza

salem nh restaurants

Salem NH Restaurants: The Crispy History of Tater Tots

dining salem nh

Enjoy the New England Fall with Casual Dining in Salem, NH

salem nh restaurant

How We Cook with Smoke at Our Salem, NH, Restaurant

Border Brewery & BBQ

Will Be Closed June 29th & 30th
For Maintenance
6/29 & 6/30