Randy Chandler
Pizza Margherita, also known as Margherita pizza, is a Neapolitan pizza made with a combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. The pizza is named after Italy's Queen Margherita of Savoy, who visited Naples with her husband, King Umberto I, in 1889. Legend has it that the queen, tired of French food, asked Raffaele Esposito, Naples' most famous pizza maker, to prepare three pizzas for her. She preferred the one with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, which also happened to represent the colors of the Italian flag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Naples, Italy |
| Toppings | Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil |
| Dough ingredients | Water, salt, yeast, flour |
| Oven type | Wood-fired |
| Oven temperature | High |
| Crust | Crispy, chewy, thin |
| Other names | Neapolitan pizza, pizza marinara |
| Legend | Named after Queen Margherita of Savoy |
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What You'll Learn
The pizza was named after Queen Margherita of Savoy
Esposito made her one pizza with garlic, another with anchovies, and a third with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil—the three colours of the Italian flag. This was the pizza the queen preferred. A few days later, she sent Esposito a thank-you note, which hangs on the wall of the Pizzeria Brandi to this day. The pizza was then named after the queen.
However, the authenticity of the letter of recognition has been disputed, and some have pointed out that no media of the period reported on the supposed visit. Some suggest that the story was a clever ploy in the 1930s by the descendants of Esposito to try and boost the pizzeria’s flagging fortunes during the Great Depression.
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The toppings represent the colours of the Italian flag
The toppings on a Margherita pizza represent the colours of the Italian flag. The pizza is topped with tomatoes (red), mozzarella (white), and basil (green). The story goes that in 1889, Raffaele Esposito, a famous Neapolitan pizzaiolo, was commissioned by the Royal Palace of Capodimonte to create a pizza in honour of the visiting Queen Margherita of Savoy and her husband, King Umberto I. Out of the three pizzas he made, the queen preferred the one with toppings that matched the colours of the Italian flag. The pizza was then named after the queen, with an official letter of recognition from the queen's "head of service" that remains on display in Esposito's shop, now called the Pizzeria Brandi.
However, the authenticity of the letter of recognition has been disputed, and some believe that the story was fabricated in the 1930s by Esposito's descendants to boost the pizzeria's fortunes during the Great Depression.
Regardless of the origin story, the Margherita pizza has become a classic and beloved Italian dish, known for its simple yet delicious combination of fresh, high-quality ingredients. It is one of the three types of genuine Neapolitan pizzas recognised by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. The dough is made with flour, salt, and yeast, and the toppings are added before baking in a high-temperature oven, resulting in a crispy, golden brown crust.
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It was invented by Neapolitan pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito
Esposito and his wife, Maria Giovanna Brandi, served the queen three pizzas: the mast'nicola (lard, basil, and hard cheese), the marinara (tomato, garlic, small fish, and herbs), and the pizza alla mozzarella (tomato and mozzarella). The final pizza was topped with basil to represent the Italian flag, and the queen loved it so much that Esposito named it after her. A thank-you note from the queen's handlers, dated June 11, 1889, hangs on the wall of the Pizzeria Brandi, now known as the birthplace of the pizza Margherita.
However, the authenticity of this letter has been disputed. Historian Zachary Nowak claims that the royal seal is in the wrong place and the signature of the "Head of Table Services," Galli Camillo, does not match other signatures in Italian archives. There are also no contemporary references to the Esposito pizzeria incident in local records or newspapers. The name "Pizzeria Margherita" also did not come into use until decades later.
While Esposito may not have invented the pizza Margherita, he certainly played a role in popularising it. The pizza Margherita is now a classic Neapolitan dish and one of the most recognisable symbols of Italian food culture worldwide.
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It's made with fresh, high-quality ingredients
Pizza Margherita is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The dough is made by mixing water, salt, and yeast with flour. The dough is then stretched by the pizzaiolo ('pizza maker') in a specific motion going outwards from the centre, pressing with the fingers of both hands on the dough ball, and flipping it several times, shaping it into a disc. The dough is then covered in toppings and baked in a high-temperature oven. The high temperature causes the dough to become very crispy and slightly charred, with some Italians preferring theirs almost burnt.
The toppings for a Margherita pizza are also fresh and of the highest quality. The most common toppings are fresh, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and fresh mozzarella cheese. The mozzarella is laid on the tomato sauce base and melted, then the fresh basil is sprinkled over the top. The mozzarella used is usually mozzarella di bufala, an Italian type of mozzarella, and the tomatoes are often San Marzano canned tomatoes, a sweet variety of Italian plum tomatoes. The pizza is then finished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Some recipes suggest adding toppings such as red pepper flakes, smoked mozzarella, thinly sliced garlic, and sliced raw potatoes. However, the traditional Margherita pizza is considered extremely simple, focusing on fresh, wholesome ingredients and high-quality bread dough.
The secret to a great Margherita pizza is, therefore, using the highest quality ingredients and preparing them in a specific way to achieve the perfect combination of flavours and textures.
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It's a traditional Italian dish
Pizza Margherita, or Margherita pizza, is a traditional Italian dish. It is one of the most popular pizzas globally, with its origins in Naples, Italy. The pizza is named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, who visited Naples with her husband, King Umberto I, in 1889. Legend has it that the queen, tired of French food, asked Raffaele Esposito, Naples' most renowned pizza maker, to prepare her a pizza.
Esposito crafted three pizzas for the queen, including one with garlic and another with anchovies, but she preferred the pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. This combination of toppings also represented the colours of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). The pizza was then named after Queen Margherita, and a letter of recognition from the queen's head of service was displayed in Esposito's shop, now known as Pizzeria Brandi.
The traditional Neapolitan pizza dough for Margherita pizza is made with flour, salt, and yeast. The dough is mixed, kneaded, and formed into a round, thin base. It is then topped with a simple tomato sauce, often made from crushed fresh tomatoes or canned San Marzano tomatoes, and baked in a high-temperature oven for a crispy texture. The toppings are added after baking to avoid wilting or discolouration. These include sliced or torn fresh basil leaves, whole-milk mozzarella, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana recognises Pizza Margherita as one of three types of authentic Neapolitan pizzas. It is protected in Italy, meaning it must be prepared following specific guidelines to bear the "Pizza Margherita" label. The Italian government certifies bakeries that make authentic Pizza Margherita. This pizza is a testament to Italy's rich culinary heritage and is beloved by people worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The Margherita pizza is made with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, which are the colours of the Italian flag. It is said that Raffaele Esposito, a famous Neapolitan pizzaiolo, created the pizza for Queen Margherita of Savoy when she visited Naples with her husband, King Umberto I, in 1889. The pizza was named after the queen.
The ingredients of a Margherita pizza are flour, salt, yeast, water, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella, and extra virgin olive oil.
To make a Margherita pizza, you must first prepare the dough by mixing flour, salt, yeast, and water. You then stretch the dough outwards from the centre, pressing with your fingers, and shaping it into a disc. Next, add the toppings. Spread tomato sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a border around the edges. Then add sliced mozzarella and bake the pizza in a high-temperature oven. Finally, after removing the pizza from the oven, add fresh basil leaves, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
A Margherita pizza is made with fresh mozzarella, which contains more liquid than the mozzarella used on a regular cheese pizza. A cheese pizza is a simpler dish with tomato sauce and cheese on top, whereas a Margherita pizza is made with fresh tomatoes and basil.
