
About this episode
Kimberly and Tommaso explore the rich history and cultural significance of pizza in Italy and beyond.
Please follow us on: Instagram or Facebook ! If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Grazie Mille! In this episode of Kimberly’s Italy, Kimberly and Tommaso take a deep dive into the history, myths, and personal stories surrounding Italy’s most beloved dish: pizza. Key Points: The Universal Appeal of Pizza: Pizza is a global phenomenon, with 3 billion pizzas sold annually in the United States and a similar production rate in Italy, despite the massive difference in size between the two countries. From ancient flatbreads like the Roman “penne focaccias” to the Greek “plakos,” the concept of topped dough is a universal cooking instinct. The History of the Tomato and Neapolitan Origins: We examine the arrival of the tomato in the 16th century and why it was initially viewed with suspicion by the locals. Napoli in the 1700s served as the true birthplace of pizza, where it emerged as a necessary, affordable street food for the impoverished “Lazzaroni” population. We look at the rise of the first sit-down pizzerias, including the historic Antica Pizzeria Port d’Alba, which is still in…
People in this episode
Host: Kimberly Holcombe
Guest: Tommaso
Topics covered
- pizza history
- Italian cuisine
- cultural myths
- Neapolitan origins
- global food trends
Keywords
- pizza
- history
- Neapolitan
- cuisine
- cultural myths
- Antica Pizzeria Port d’Alba
- Margherita pizza
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Antica Pizzeria Port d’Alba
Places: Italy, United States, Napoli
More episodes of Kimberly's Italy
- 220. Stop Rushing Your Trip to Italy....Itineraries That Let You Linger · September 9, 2026 · 32 min
- 219. A Road Trip from an Italian Lake to a Swiss one! · August 26, 2026 · 35 min
- 218. (Re-Mixed) Tommaso's Spaghetti Western & Community Dining for All · August 11, 2026 · 39 min
- 217. The Ultimate Guide to Italy’s 20 Regional Pizzas · July 29, 2026 · 34 min
- 215. Italy's Markets Something Fun and Different to Do! · July 1, 2026 · 36 min
- 214. A Surprisingly Slow Start to Summer · June 17, 2026 · 27 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Kimberly's Italy podcast page.