Why Does a Round Pizza Come In A Square Box?

Have you ever wondered why a round pizza is delivered in a square box? The answer may surprise you but even more interesting facts surround this fast-food king.

According to legends, the original version of this dough was shaped in a square shape and not round.  Dating back to around 1000 AD in Italy, pizza lovers received rectangular pizzas. Ancestral versions looked more like flatbread with meat. This ancient shape may have influenced how the box was shaped in the future.

It’s true, pizza has come a long way before becoming one of the top daily consumed meals in the world. A recent report by the BBC declared that “In any given day, more than 40 million Americans will eat pizza. It is considered the most popular meal in the world, and definitely one of the favorites in the US.”

Where Did Pizza Originate?

However, this common meal did not originate in the US. It would take hundreds of years before pizza rushed to our tables. Although we all know and love pizza today, we didn’t gain mass appeal until 1940, when immigrant Italians brought their classic slices to the United States. Pizza was first created in Naples, Italy, as a fast, cheap, tasty meal for working-class Neapolitans on the go.

Some believe the Chinese invented pizza, but the Greeks played a role in its development and perfection. The Italians developed and perfected their style of making pizza, but they were not the only culture that enjoyed its ease and deliciousness.

However, modern data shows that more than 5 billion pizzas are sold globally daily. This makes it the most consumed dish in the world, with almost 1 pizza per adult per day.

Going back to its origin, you may wonder who invented this dish. Firstly, judging from a blog post on the Italian Cuisine history page, Pizza is all Roman.

“It’s widely speculated that pizza came from the Greek word “pitta,” which means “pie”; however some historians believe that pizza came from the Langobardic word “bizzo,” which means “bite.” Latin texts dating back to 977 Italy have been entered into a 1598 Italian-English dictionary as “a small wafer or cake.”

Nonetheless, its inventor does have a name and a very famous client who is credited with the first pizza order ever made. According to the online Wikipedia, an Italian baker, Raffaele Esposito, is often credited for creating modern pizza in Naples.

This may seem to hold out as in 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy received the very first pizza delivery. After traveling to Naples, she fell ill. The queen requested authentic Italian food from the region. At that time, royals would not go out to find the best meals, so food had to be brought to them.

A popular legend has it that Queen Margherita summoned Raffaele to the Royal Palace to prepare the beloved dish among the locals in Naples Pizza sauce is generally attributed to Raffaele Esposito because he is credited with the invention of the “Pizza Margherita”.

So, How Did a Round Pizza Wind Up in a Square Box?

The construction of round boxes would be more difficult than that of square boxes. Square boxes can be folded easily, but round boxes would require many folds to become round.

Put simply, square boxes are simpler, cheaper, and easier to make. A square box can be formed from just one piece of card. Plus, it’s easier to store, transport, and pack. Square boxes remain flat until needed and are quickly assembled at the point of use.

The popularity of pizza has grown worldwide and so are producers. There are tons of businesses that are now completely dedicated to the making and distribution of this dish. A recent report by CNN covered the annual Top Pizza Award which publishes a list of the top 50 places

For 2024, here are the top pizzerias around the world, according to the 50 Top Pizza Awards:

• Una Pizza Napoletana (New York, USA)
• The Pizza Bar on 38^th (Tokyo, Japan)
• Confine (Milan, Italy)
• Napoli on the Road (London, England)
• Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (San Francisco, USA)
• I Tigli (San Bonifacio, Italy)

Nonetheless, none of these places have quite a reputation like Old Forge, PA. This small town with a rich culinary tradition and vibrant community spirit is nicknamed the “Pizza Capital of the World” due to its unique style of pizza, which draws food enthusiasts from far and wide to savor its delicious taste.

According to a local website promoting PA, there is a yearly festival in honor of the Pizza.

“Every September, the Felittese Italian Festival celebrates the Italian immigrants who came to Old Forge in the 1900s to work in the coal mines. They enjoy delicious food and desserts, live entertainment, and the spirit of hospitality this small town is known for.”

Is it Healthy to Eat Pizza Daily?

With all its glamour and fame, not everyone recommends eating pizza. Some food critics and review websites caution against the daily consumption of this dish. When asked if eating pizza every day was a health risk, Cozy Meals replied.

“Absolutely, eating pizza every day would not be the best idea. Because of the high calories, saturated fat, and sodium, eating pizza every day would affect your health negatively. Daily consumption of pizza can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol, and a higher risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions.” Cozy Meals

However, some online nutritionists believe that Pizza can be made healthier. The Healthline website believes that A homemade pizza can be made healthier by limiting the number of ingredients, choosing products with fewer ingredients, adding healthy toppings, and preparing it at home. Many frozen and fast-food pizzas are high in calories, fat, sodium, and other unhealthy ingredients.

Pizza is one of the most delicious dishes that boasts any given menu and one of the most popular worldwide. From its creation as a square bread to the round product delivered in a square box, it has become a part of our culture.