Interesting Facts About Pizza That You Probably Didn’t Know
Friday, December 23rd, 2016
Pizza is commonly a favorite food in many cultures due to its flavor, versatility, and cost. Americans love the dish so much, we collectively spend about $37 billion each year on it, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Read on to learn about some incredible statistics and facts related to this beloved food.
National pizza statistics in the United States
According to the USDA, nearly 1 out of every 8 Americans consume pizza on any given day. Unsurprisingly, pre-teens consume about two times more pizza than average. In contrast, Americans over 60 were reported to eat around half of the national average. A USDA report also showed that more than a quarter of boys between the ages of 6 and 19 eat this meal every single day. Women were found eat less pizza at most age levels based on the study. However, girls ages 6 through 19 eat more pizza than males in any age group.
In the United States, about 4 percent of pizza consumed by children is for breakfast. About 58 percent of all pizza consumption among kids is for snacking, lunches, and breakfast. Overall, this meal is consumed by adults mostly for dinner. Typically, an adult consumes about 744 calories when eating pizza. To compare, ordering a double quarter pounder from Mcdonald’s will cost you 750 calories.
Americans consume about 251,770,000 pounds of pepperoni every single year. Although 36 percent of pizzas in the U.S. contain pepperoni, other countries have different favorite meat toppings. In Japan, teriyaki chicken is a widely favored topping.
The most expensive pizza
The world’s most expensive pizza, known as the Pizza Louis XIII, costs $12,000 and was created by chef Renato Viola. The dish is prepared at your home and includes toppings like red prawns, three types of caviar, and Mediterranean lobster. Unfortunately, this meal is only eight inches in diameter.
Pizza’s first appearance
The term pizza first appeared in a Latin text from the Italian town of Gaeta in 997 AD. The document claimed that a person renting a particular property owed the bishop of the town “duodecim pizze.” This translated to twelve pizzas on every Christmas and Easter.
The largest pizza in the world
The largest round pizza in the world is a gluten-free pie that’s 131 feet in diameter. The large dish was made in Italy by Dovilio Nardi, the founder of a restaurant chain catering to those with celiac disease. Nardi led a team of chefs to produce the pie, which weighed in at a whopping 51,257 pounds.
Pizza is considered a vegetable
Pizza was essentially considered a vegetable in 2011 by the United States government. This came as a result of a regulation that stated school meals that are subsidized by the government must contain a certain portion of vegetables. One serving of pizza that contains about two tablespoons of tomato sauce actually meets the government’s vegetable requirements.
The thousand dollar pizza delivery tip
Most Americans tip their delivery drivers after paying for their meal. James Gilpin, a Domino’s delivery driver, was delivering two pies to a chapel at Wesleyan University in 2014, when he received a surprising tip. Gilpin was welcomed by about 3,000 students that had collected a tip of $1,268 dollars.
The baking properties of mozzarella
There is a reason why mozzarella is the supreme choice for most varieties of pizza. A group of scientists in New Zealand researched the baking properties of varying cheeses normally found on the dish. According to the study, mozzarella was the cheese with the highest moisture, lowest quantity of oil, and the most stretchability.
Pizza Planet has been serving up the best pizzas in Amarillo since 1974. Give us a call at (806) 352-6666 to learn more about us or place a delivery or pick-up order. You can also Contact Us via email or visit us in person at 6801 Bell St. #100 in Amarillo, Texas. We prepare our food fresh every day. Our menu includes pizzas, appetizers, salads, sub sandwiches, pasta, and desserts. Place your order today!