The Italian food scene has become incredibly diverse over the last decade. Each region has unique culinary traditions, from trendy food trucks to Michelin star restaurants. Everyone has already eaten their fair share of delicious pizzas throughout Europe, but none compares to the authentic Neapolitan pizza.

The history of pizza began in Naples, Italy, although this city does not claim credit for creating the world’s favorite food. Pizza was invented because people were starving and needed something to eat. And they found a simple solution – dough, tomato sauce, and cheese.

A well-known story claims that one of the best pizzas ever made was invented in honour of Queen Margarita di Savoy by Raffaele Esposti. He wanted to put a plate of colors representing Italy’s flag — tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil, as red, white, and green— so he did. But if he had known that his creation would become so famous, he might have invested in more ingredients.

Aside from historical facts on pizza, which, if you’re interested in, you can find out about online, let’s talk about current practices.

One of the country’s most exclusive things is pizza cut into slices (pizza al taglio). Typically these are places where you go in, grab a slice, pay, and then leave – not literally because your hands and mouth are too busy to do so.

Ordering a pizza al taglio in Italy is super fast and delicious as nothing else you’ve ever tasted. You won’t find another if you travel around many places and taste these slices. At least not the authentic Italian version.

Although pizza is an Italian specialty, there are several different varieties. The most common type is pizza Romana, also known as Margherita pizza after the tomato sauce topping. Another common variety is Napoli pizza, which is topped with anchovies, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. American pizza differs from the standard version due to cheese and pepperoni toppings. Pizza can also be served hot, cold, or at room temperature, although it is customary to eat it piping hot. So when you visit Italy, be ready to explain how you want your pizza made.

Italian pizza is ok. It’s a good meal to eat every once in a while. This is because you might find them overtopped, making them really hard to digest. A good example is the Tutti Carne. This recipe consists of marinated rump strips, bacon, cheese, grilled chicken breast, potato, and BBQ sauce. 

Pizza in Italy is much cheaper. In some parts of Italy, especially in the south, you can find a decent pizza for about €10. And in some cities, especially in the north, you can get a good pizza for around €19. If you’re living In Australia, pizzas are significantly more expensive, and so are most countries. A large pizza costs anywhere between $30-$50. Domino’s is an exception and a few places in the country’s south.

Many also make the most of Italians who can cook it at home. Homemade pizza tastes excellent because cooks can add any ingredients they like without worrying about what customers might be allergic to. They’re also inexpensive, so everyone can afford to indulge a bit every once in a while. 

So the next time you find yourself in Italy, think of trying their variety of pizzas if you have any spare time. Remember this article the next time you’re wandering around an Italian city or shopping at the supermarket without a clue about what to eat for dinner.