A lot of people think that pizza originated from Italy, but there is evidence to suggest that pizza may have actually originated in China.
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The origins of pizza
Pizza is a dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It is typically made with a doughy base, topped with tomato sauce and cheese, and then baked in an oven. However, pizza is not originally from Italy as most people believe. In fact, the first pizzas were made in China.
A brief history of pizza
Pizza is a dish that has its roots in antiquity. The first recorded use of the word dates back to 997 AD in a document from the town of Gaeta in central Italy. The word pizza is thought to derive from the Latin word picea, meaning a blackened or singed spot. In the 17th century, pizza was a popular street food in Naples, Italy, and it wasn’t long before it began to appear in other Italian cities.
Pizza made its way to America with Italian immigrants in the late 19th century, and it wasn’t long before it became a popular dish in cities with large Italian populations like New York and Chicago. Today, pizza is one of America’s favorite foods, and there are countless regional variations of the dish.
While pizza may have originated in Italy, there is evidence that the Chinese were eating a similar dish as early as the 1st century AD. This dish, called pien mian, was made with unleavened dough that was topped with garlic, oil, and sometimes fish or meats. It’s possible that pien mian was the inspiration for pizza, or it could simply be a coincidence that two similar dishes emerged independently in different parts of the world.
The theory that pizza originated in China
So, is pizza from China?
There is a theory that pizza actually originated in China. This theory is based on the fact that pizza dough and toppings are similar to those used in Chinese pancakes and flatbreads. It is also believed that Marco Polo may have brought the idea of pizza back to Italy from his travels to China.
Whether or not pizza originated in China, there is no doubt that it has become one of the most popular foods in the world. Today, you can find pizzas with all sorts of different toppings, from traditional tomato and cheese to more exotic options like pineapple and chicken.
The evidence for and against the theory
The theory that pizza originated in China is a popular one, but is it actually true? There is evidence for and against this theory. Some people believe that pizza originated in China because of the similarity between pizza and Chinese pancakes. However, there are also many differences between pizza and Chinese pancakes, such as the ingredients and the way they are cooked.
The evidence for the theory
There is some evidence that suggests pizza may have originated in China. One theory is that pizza was inspired by the lunch box pies which were a popular dish in China during the Tang Dynasty. These pies were made with a variety of fillings, including meats, vegetables, and fruits, and were often cooked in black oil.
Other evidence for the theory that pizza originated in China includes the fact that the word “pizza” is thought to be derived from the Chinese word “p’ei ts’ao” which means “cake baked flat”. In addition, early pizzas were often made with ingredients such as rice flour and Hoisin sauce, which are both common ingredients in Chinese cuisine.
The evidence against the theory
There are a few key pieces of evidence that suggest pizza did not originate in China. Firstly, there is no record of pizza-like dishes in Chinese history before the 18th century. Secondly, the type of dough used for pizza is very different from the type of dough used in traditional Chinese cuisine. Finally, the toppings on Chinese “pizza” are usually very different from the toppings on Italian Pizza featuring items like tea leaves, shredded pork, and soy sauce.
The verdict
There are many theories on the origin of pizza. Some say it originated in Greece, others say it originated in Italy. But the most popular theory is that pizza actually originated in China. Let’s take a closer look at this theory.
Why the theory is probably false
While there are a few theories about the origins of pizza, the most popular one is that pizza was invented by the Italians. However, there is another theory that suggests pizza actually originated in China.
The theory goes that Marco Polo, an Italian explorer, discovered pizza while he was traveling through China in the 13th century. He then brought this new food back to Italy, where it quickly became popular.
There are a few pieces of evidence that have been used to support this theory. For example, some people claim that the word “pizza” comes from the Chinese word “p’ez,” which means “cakes with filling.”
Additionally, some say that the first pizzas were made with ingredients that are typically found in Chinese cuisine, such as rice flour and soy sauce. However, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims.
In fact, most historians believe that the theory is false. They believe that pizza was actually invented by the Italians in the 16th century. This is because there is much more evidence to support this claim than the Chinese origin theory.
For example, the first recorded mention of pizza was in a book called “History of the World” by Anton Francesco Doni, an Italian writer from the 16th century. This book contains a recipe for a dish that sounds very similar to modern-day pizza.
Additionally, there are many other documents from Italy that mention pizza throughout history. In fact, pizzerias did not start popping up in China until much later, in the 20th century.
So while it’s fun to imagine that pizza originated in China, it’s more likely that this tasty dish was invented by the Italians centuries ago.
Why the theory is still popular
Despite the lack of evidence, the theory that pizza originated in China continues to be popular. One of the reasons for this is that it is one of the few theories that explains how pizza could have made its way from China to Italy.
Another reason is that some people believe that the Chinese were the first to invent a type of flatbread. While there is no conclusive proof that this is true, it is certainly possible. It is also worth noting that there are similarities between some Chinese flatbreads and pizza, such as their shape and size.
Whatever the truth may be, it is clear that the theory that pizza originated in China is unlikely to be proven conclusively anytime soon. However, this does not mean that it cannot be enjoyed by everyone!
Final Word: Is Pizza from China?
No, China is probably not from China.
It’s hard to prove conclusively, but it’s most likely that pizza’s origin is Italy.
Regardless of where it’s from, I know exactly where it’s going (my mouth 🍕).
