What Makes Pizza Taste So Good?

Pizza originated in Italy and was created as a means to feed the working class. This food was fast to prepare, convenient and didn’t cost a lot to make. When the soldiers returned to the United States after World War II, they brought with them the pizza idea and it then became an American staple.

One in eight Americans eat pizza every day as it is one of the most versatile meals to prepare because it’s fast, convenient and inexpensive. However, the biggest reason, is because it tastes so good. Pizza appears at almost all social gatherings whether it is lunch with a friend, a birthday party for your kids, even game nights. Pizza is also a great alternative when it’s too late to cook dinner, you’ve had a hard day and don’t feel like spending time in the kitchen. So, why does everyone think pizza tastes so good?

Five different types of taste

Your tongue can recognize five different types of taste and certain foods stimulate your taste buds so that you actually feel those tastes. The five different types of taste are salty, bitter, sour, sweet, and umami. Most of you know what those first four tastes are, but few understand what umami represents.

Umami is described by the Japanese as a meaty or savory taste and means delicious in Japanese. Both glutamate and umami enhance flavors and make people want to eat more of the food it is in. Umami taste is common in foods containing high levels of glutamate such as shellfish, cured meats, mushrooms, ripe tomatoes, spinach, and other vegetables.

The more glutamate you add to a dish the better it will taste. Protein sources like chicken, beef, pork, and fish normally have high levels of glutamate. Other foods like aged cheese and tomatoes are loaded with glutamate and are the basics for any pizza. In just one slice, you will have about three tablespoons of tomato sauce, giving you more than 130 milligrams of glutamate. If you add Parmesan cheese to your slice, you will add another 70 or more milligrams of glutamate.

Benefits found from eating pizza

Pizza definitely tastes great and has proven itself to be the most convenient, affordable meals, but it also has health benefits for our bodies. By including a few slices into your diet, you are protecting yourself from certain types of cancer. A study conducted shows bi-weekly pizza eaters are less likely to develop cancer of the esophagus or throat cancer.

The tomato sauce found on most pizzas will help prevent heart disease. Tomatoes contain a lot of lycopene which is an antioxidant compound that fights illness and heart disease. When you eat foods packed with lycopene that also have small amounts of fat, just as the pizza does, your body can absorb this antioxidant much easier.

Pizza is packed with protein. A cheese pizza has over 15 grams of protein per slice and when you add toppings of pepperoni, hamburger, or other meat, those protein numbers increase.

Where do you find the perfect pizza?

Pizza Planet has been serving up the best pizza in Amarillo since 1974. You can choose from our menu or create your own. We have pizza in sizes from small to extra-large. Give us a call at (806) 352-6666 to place your order today. You can also Contact Us via email or visit us in person at 6801 Bell St. #100 in Amarillo, Texas. Choose from pizzas, appetizers, sub sandwiches, salads, pasta, and desserts. We also offer deals, such as lunch combos and family combos.