The story of the “royal” pizza Margarita – From where it got its name |

In 1780 the pizzeria “Pizzeria di Pietro e basta così” opens, and its name says it all: “The pizzeria of Pietro and that is enough”. Pietro Colicchio serves only pizza, and will go down in history as one of the first pizzerias in Naples.

The company was then taken over by Enrico Brady, who in turn passed it on to his daughter Maria, the future wife of Raffaele Esposito. The store, which is still located in one of the best parts of the city, will create its own legend that is passed down from generation to generation: the birth of “Pizza Margherita”. This is a pizza that is, without exaggeration, the most popular in the world.

It is the summer of 1889 and the kings of Savoy are in Naples and specifically in the palace of Capodimonte. According to legend, Queen Margarita, tired of the gourmet French cuisine of the palace, asked to try “the famous Neapolitan pizza”. So, a palace official invites Rafaele Esposito to bring his classic pies.

The chef makes three types of pizza. The first was “white”, with olive oil, cheese and basil, the second with cecenielle (a type of sardine) and the third with mozzarella and tomato. The one chosen by the queen and brought to mind the colors of the Savoy flag went down in history with her name made with three very simple ingredients: mozzarella, basil and red tomato.

Others claim that this pizza was known in Naples before 1889. It was named “Margarita” because of its arrangement in the shape of a daisy.

Whatever the truth, chef Rafaele Esposito began a long tradition of Neapolitan gastronomy.

The 21st century “Margarita” pizza that comes out of the “Brandi” oven is still excellent, juicy, delicious, using the freshest tomatoes, mozzarella, basil from the villages of Vesuvius and the best extra virgin olive oil.

There is nothing better than trying the most famous pizza in the world, a 130-year-old recipe, at the place where it was born, according to a post in Culinary Backstreets.